The traveling program is designed for committed, dedicated student athletes wishing to play competitive basketball against teams from other metro communities. Traveling teams typically play in approximately ten tournaments. Tournament play begins in early November and ends in mid-March. Players not selected for a traveling team are automatically enrolled in the EBA House League. The EBA has a no-cut policy for 5th grade players. All other grades are subject to cutting.
The following is an overview of the Traveling program.
Registration
Registration opens on August 2, 2010 for all programs
Registration deadline for girls travel is September 20, 2010
Registration deadline for boys travel is October 4, 2010
If online registration is not completed prior to tryouts, you will not be able to tryout.
Travel fees must be paid in full before your child will be placed on a team.
Mandatory Parent Meetings
Girls Travel Parent Meeting - Thursday, September 16 6:00-8:00pm Southview Middle School Auditorium
Boys Travel Parent Meeting - Thursday, October 14 6:30-9:00pm Southview Middle School Auditorium
Time Commitment
Traveling basketball requires dedication and commitment. Parents are urged to consider their family's schedule and potential conflicts before allowing their child to try out for a traveling team. Practice and tournament attendance is mandatory in accordance with EBA Policies. Teams practice, on average, for 90 minutes twice each week at Edina gyms. A tournament typically involves 3 to 4 games in a weekend. Tournaments do schedule Friday night games, although this is more common for boys traveling teams.
Tryouts
The tryout process is conducted by hired evaluators not affiliated with the EBA. Coaches have additional input on team selection in accordance with EBA Policies. The tryout process results in the selection of teams at A, B, and C levels. Occasionally, teams are formed at a combined B/C level. Grade 5 will have 3-4 teams to accommodate all players that tryout. Grades 6-8 will have up to 3 teams. Players trying out in grades 6-8 are not guaranteed they will be selected for a team. Teams typically consist of 8-10 players.
Girls Tryout Information
Playing Time
Equal playing time is not guaranteed under EBA Policies. In order for our teams to be competitive, coaches must control playing time as a component of game strategy.
Coaches
The EBA hires experienced non-parent coaches for traveling teams in grades 6-8. Grade 5 uses a mixture of paid coaches and non-paid parent coaches in accordance with EBA Policies.
Edina Classic Basketball Tournaments
Each year the EBA proudly presents an invitational boys and girls tournament on separate weekends. The tournaments are essential to the EBA and generate funds necessary to make the traveling program affordable to Edina families. Parent participation in running the tournaments is mandatory. Typically a family is expected to work about 6 hours during the tournament in concessions, admissions or at the scoring tables.
St. Cloud Tournament
Near the end of the season, every EBA travel team travels to St. Cloud for a boys and girls tournament. The tournament experience is celebrated by our own silent auction and social hour. This special weekend is an EBA tradition. A room block for all travel families has been coordinated with the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Cloud. Room registration needs to be completed by December 15. More information about the Holiday Inn will be sent out at the beginning of the season and a registration form will be available on the EBA's website in early October.
Participation Fees
$535 total ($165 base fee + $20 tryout fee) when registering online and $350 balance due at tryouts. A $90 uniform fee is required for 5th and 7th graders and 6th graders new to the program. Sixth graders who played last year were required to purchase uniforms.
