Overview
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball is one component of our parish's youth ministry. Goals of the CYO basketball program at Corpus Christi include: creating an opportunity for children to learn the lessons of competition, appreciate the gifts they possess and to encourage them to become responsible members of our parish community.

Corpus Christi CYO basketball teams participate in the Upper Morris County CYO. Upper Morris County CYO consists of approximately 30 parishes in Morris/Sussex County. The level of competition in the Upper Morris County CYO League is competitive at all grade levels. Wins and losses are kept track of, and for the more successful teams, there is the opportunity to participate in county-wide championships at the end of the season.

The CYO program offers a level of basketball that fits between a town’s Recreation youth basketball program and competitive AAU travel basketball opportunities. The level of play increases as a player progresses through the CYO program. Our 8th grade teams compete at the highest level of CYO basketball (Upper Division) while our 5th grade teams start at the Lower Division. A steady progression is made over the 4 years of CYO basketball as a player matriculates through the program.

Important Dates to Remember
On-line registration for the upcoming season takes place September 6th through 16th. In-person registration and document drop-off is scheduled for Sunday, September 19th. The CYO season typically begins with practices starting in early October. Games begin on Sunday, November 21 and the regular season ends by mid-February. Selected teams qualify for the playoffs, which typically conclude by early March.

Eligibility
Open to both boys and girls who are registered members of the parish (as of July 1st) who are in the 5th through 8th grade, and have not reached their 15th birthday by September 1st. Non-parishioners will be allowed to participate if there are available spots after parishioners register.

Program Expectations and Commitment
Before registering a child for CYO, please consider whether the child has both the time and desire to participate in CYO basketball. While our CYO program seeks athletic success as much as any competitive athletic program, parents should remember that this program is a church activity rather than a highly competitive basketball program. Children who withdraw from CYO to participate in more competitive basketball programs or because of other commitments, negatively impact the quality and possible existence of some teams, while potentially precluding others from participating in the program. CYO basketball is primarily a Winter Season sport, and our pre-season practices overlap with Fall sports. Corpus Christi CYO expects that players/parents will make CYO basketball a priority during the Winter Season. It is expected that players make every effort to attend all practices and games, especially during the Winter Season.

Teams and Player Selection
Ideally every eligible child who wishes to participate will find a spot on a Corpus Christi team. Unfortunately, there are practical limitations regarding the number of children which can be accommodated, while maintaining the quality and effectiveness of the program. Corpus Christi plans on forming 10 teams this season, based on the increasing demand to play CYO basketball. The teams will include one team per gender per grade and may also include a combined grade team to allow more players to participate in Corpus Christi CYO basketball.

Each team will roster between 9 and 12 players (the league’s lower & upper limits). While 12 player teams are large, it will allow as many children as possible to fully participate. Creating the combined grade teams (boys 7/8 and boys 5/6) allows more players into the CYO program and provides an opportunity to continue their basketball skills development. If the number of players who register exceeds the amount we can accommodate at given grades, we will need to hold try-outs. These try-outs will be overseen by the Corpus Christi CYO Athletic Directors and experienced basketball evaluators.

Team formation is a lengthy and complex process. The goal of the try-out is to identify the higher skilled and experienced players in the grade and place them on the primary grade team. The remaining players will be placed on the combined grade team. The try-out will focus on a player’s basketball abilities as measured by shooting, dribbling, passing, rebounding, defending, speed, and agility/footwork.

Every attempt should be made to attend the Try-out session when it is required. This year’s Try-out date is Saturday, September 25th in the Corpus Christi gym.

Unfortunately, there are occasions when the number of interested players exceeds our program’s capacity, and we may not be able to place everyone on a CYO team. We regret this event, but it is inevitable. Other basketball alternatives (eg: Hoop Heaven leagues or YMCA programs) will be indicated so the player can still have the opportunity to play basketball.

CYO Programs and Divisions
The CYO League has two Programs; Junior Varsity and Varsity. Players in grades 7 and 8 are not allowed to play in the Junior Varsity program. The League has three Divisions; Upper, Middle and Lower. The Corpus Christi CYO program uses a grade-based system keeping players in similar grades together.

Practices and Games
Teams will typically hold two practices per week at a set time. Each practice is normally 75 - 90 minutes long. Corpus Christi gym availability for team practices are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm until 9:30pm and Saturdays from 8am until 6:00pm. Practice slots for each team will be assigned after the formation of teams, based on the number of teams and coach’s availability & schedule.

There are typically 11 - 12 regular season games with additional scrimmage games. The majority of the league games are played on Sunday afternoons and early evenings, although Saturdays and weeknights are sometimes utilized for make-up games or because of gym availability. Home games are held at the Corpus Christi gym and at Oratory Prep in Summit. Away games are held at various locations throughout Morris and Sussex counties.

Teams with superior records also compete in the county-wide playoffs at the end of the season. Some teams also play in non-league tournaments and other leagues.

Volunteers
CYO basketball relies on parental volunteers to operate the program. Volunteers are needed to register/document players, coordinate uniforms and equipment, coach teams, set up and take down the gym, and during games oversee scorebook/scoreboard and collect admissions.

Coaches
There are no "paid" trainers or professionals in CYO basketball. Teams are typically coached by volunteer parents. To register a team, each team requires a minimum of two (2) coaches per roster. Ideally, coaches should have a good working knowledge of the game of basketball and be able to conduct two practices per week and attend games. Diocese regulations require all coaches, prior to conducting their first practice:
• have completed a Volunteer Coaches Safety Orientation and Training Skills Workshop (RUTGERS Safety Training or equivalent);
• be in compliance with VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children Program;
• have completed a criminal background check, and
• have signed the Code of Pastoral Conduct of the Diocese of Paterson.
Corpus Christi will assist all potential coaches in meeting their pre-season coaching requirements.

Junior Coaches
Corpus Christi will continue to seek junior coaches from area high schools. Any high school student wishing to start their basketball coaching career as a Junior Coach is welcome to join our CYO program. Junior coaches can attend practices and/or games and will be mentored by the team’s Head Coach and Assistant Coaches.

Additional Basketball Programs
Each season, the Corpus Christi CYO program will offer a series of clinics and programs to increase a player’s basketball fundamentals. Players are encouraged to attend all of the clinics and programs. Attendance is not mandatory, but without solid participation, the additional basketball programs will not continue.

For the 2010/2011 season, the CYO program will schedule the following clinics:

Coaches Clinic
Local college and high school coaches will continue to give 60 – 90 minute basketball clinics in early October. Colleges and high school coaches participating in our program coach at Drew University, FDU-Madison, Chatham High School, Delbarton, Oratory Prep, New Providence High School and Oak Knoll.

Paul Hoover Clinics
“Shoot Like The Pros” clinic will be returning this winter. Paul will also conduct sessions on Guard Skills, Scoring Skills and Advanced Shooting.

Parisi Speed & Agility
An in-season Parisi Speed and Agility program will be offered. The program will run for 8 weeks between September and November.

CYO Basketball Program Costs
The Corpus Christi CYO program is intended to be affordable. The player registration costs will be $200 for the 2010/2011 season. This is a modest $15 increase over last year’s fee. Special consideration will be given to a player who may not have sufficient funds to register for the CYO program.

If you have questions regarding the program, please contact Jim LeMon.

Q: My child was baptized at Corpus Christi. Do I still need to provide the baptismal certificate?
A: Yes. The CYO program does not have access to the certificates and we need a copy to register your child with the league. A parent or guardian must obtain a copy of the certificate from the Parish office.

Q: What forms of payment will be accepted?
A: Payment options include:

• Credit card/e-check via Paypal.com (online registration only).
• Check payable to Corpus Christi:
  • delivered to Chris Medeiros in the Parish office before September 17 and clearly marked for CYO registration, or
  • brought to in-person registration
• Cash (in-person registration only)

Q: My child is new to CYO and I registered and paid online. How do I submit his/her baptismal certificate?
A: Certificate copies - clearly marked for CYO registration - can be mailed or brought to Chris Medeiros in the Parish office until September 17th, brought to in-person registration on September 19th, or scanned and emailed to corpus.christi.cyo@gmail.com before September 19th.

Q: What is the fee refund policy?
A: Teams are formed on the basis of registrations received. Once teams are formed, we cannot refund registration fees unless: (1) we were unable to place your child on a team; or (2) your child is physically unable to play due to illness, injury, or relocation.

Q: We are not registered as parishioners at Corpus Christi. Can my child still participate?
A: Parishioners (registered as of July 1) are given priority in the program. If space permits, non-parishioners may be allowed to participate. If you are registered at a different parish, a letter of permission may be required from your pastor.

Q: How competitive is the program?
A: Please see the About Us page for more information on the program level.

Q: We are going to be out of town on the tryout day. Will there be makeups?
A: Tryouts may not be needed at all age groups. Where tryouts are required, there will only be a single tryout. If the tryout date is a conflict for your family, please indicate this on your registration form.

Q: What does my $200 registration fee include?
A: The fee includes all league games and practices throughout the season. Additional expenses will include: uniforms (about $50) and spectator game admission fees (typically about $3 per person per game). We will offer optional clinics for players before and during the season at costs ranging from $0 to $50. Some teams may also participate in additional tournaments outside of the CYO league at an additional cost.

Q: Why do you need my e-mail address?
A: E-mail will be our primary means of communicating with you regarding completion of your child's registration, tryout schedules, team placement and availability of extra clinics. Please provide a valid email address that is checked regularly, and add "corpus.christi.cyo@gmail.com" (Registration) and "jlemon@lordabbett.com" (CYO Athletic Director) to your list of approved senders.

Q: I have a question that isn't answered here.
A: Questions about the CYO program, email CYO Athletic Director. Questions about registration, email corpus.christi.cyo@gmail.com