2007-2008
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can my son or daughter join a Tennessee M.E.S.T Tiger / Lady Tiger Travel team and are there any costs involved?
A: Anyone can come to our open gym sessions. To become a participant on one of our teams you will be required to attend the tryouts that we hold each January and February . Upon making one of our teams there will be a membership fee. For more information you can contact Cathy Boyd at 615-604-3596, or by visiting our WebSite page, www.tigerhoops.org.

Q: How much time will be involved when participating on one of the Tiger / Lady Tiger teams.
A: The practices and tournaments attended will vary among the coaches and age groups. As a standard rule we will not allow any of our teams to practice more than twice during the week (Monday through Friday) while school is in session. The practice sessions usually last from 1 and a half to two hours per practice session. You may practice more during the summer especially as you get closer to the tournament dates. You can usually expect to practice once during the weekend, possibly both days depending on how much you practice during the week and how close you are to a major tournament. The amount of tournaments you attend, again, depend on the coach, but you can expect to play in 4 to 10 tournaments per season. The AAU season normally begins around the first of March and can run as late as early August.

Q: Can a Tiger / Lady Tiger Travel Team participant compete in another sport during AAU season?
A: Yes, but please make sure your AAU coach and coach of the other sport(s) you may be participating in are aware that you are playing multiple sports simultaneously and they do not have a problem with you doing so. While we do not mind our athletes to participate in other sports during the Travel Team season we do expect our team to be the top priority in those instances where a conflict may arise.

Q: Will there be kids who tryout for a team but do not make the team?
A: Yes, M.E.S.T limits the size of each team to a 15 player maximum but most coaches prefer to not have no more than 12 players on any one team because of the strain it puts on them to find playing time for all their players. Tryouts will be held in January andFebruary of each year. Some teams will have players who played on a Tiger / Lady Tiger team the previous year. This does not guarantee them a spot on the team for the next year. Any athlete participating in a Tiger / Lady Tiger tryout will have an equal chance of making a team. If we have enough good athletes in a particular age group to form two or more teams and we have an available coaching staff, then we will do so.

Q: Are there times my child can come play basketball in the gym? Do I need to ask permission? Can I leave him / her to play or do I need to stay on site?
A: Yes we do have open gym, but the Tennessee M.E.S.T Tigers and Lady Tigers do not have a facility of their own, so permission is a must. Parents or guardians must be their with their child for liability purposes or sign a waiver.

Q: What if my child wants to play basketball but his skill is not yet developed can he / she take lessons?
A: We have several coaches that gives private lessons, but working with one of the coaches does not guarantee a spot on the team. If you are interested in private lessons call or email Cathy Boyd at 615-604-3596.

Q: If my child makes an Travel team is he / she guaranteed playing time or could he / she sit on the bench?
A: No player is guaranteed playing time, so if this is a problem, it is better to check this out up-front with that coach before committing to a team.

Q: How far and how often does the team travel to play in tournaments?
A: We allow the coaches to determine when and where their teams go to play in tournaments. We do recommend the coaches not to play tournaments during the weekdays.

Q: If my child recieves a uniform does he / she get to keep it?
A: No, we ask that all uniforms are returned at the end of the season.

Q: How long does the season last?
A: The coach determines how long you can play, by deciding to play in different tournaments. We are asking coaches to have a schedule of tournaments they would like to a attend.

Q: Are there attendance rules for practices or games?
A: Yes, practices and games are required and must be communicated with the coach before committing to team.

Q: Will my family be required to help with any fund raising events?
A: Yes, we ask that all parents participate in the Tigers and Lady Tigers fund-raising event, or they could choose not to and just pay their child's way.