This is kind of a tentative plan, that is certainly subject to change, but I want to share my thoughts with you: We expect teams to begin showing up Friday Morning June 26th. The first scheduled check in time will be 10am. When you enter the High School at lucky door 13, we will direct you into the MPIF. What on earth is the MPIF? Glad you asked. The Multi Purpose Instructional Facility was built a few short years ago to service the growing needs of our community. Our once small Town of Westfield graduated last year  to City Status, and with it the demands for space have grown. It goes without saying in Indiana, Basketball is big... Huge... Monstrous. Anyhow, this multi million dollar facility was built. It has classroom space, locker rooms, weight training, and fitness rooms. It has four regulation basketball courts, surrounded by a track. These courts sport curtains, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, and six regulation glass back boards per court that lower at the touch of a button. You are not going to believe you are visiting a High School. The things you will see will make you believe you are on one of the finest college campuses in the country. The administration gets excited when I call it a basketball facility. They always correct me... "It's a multipurpose instructional facility" Hey, you be the judge. Sorry for the drift there. Once inside, we will take coaches and players to a check in area. Parents, and other family members will have an opportunity purchase event passes, visit booths for area activities, look at AAU gear and apparel. You will meet back with your players and coaches on the far end.

The teams will be assigned a practice time, and will practice in the MPIF.

Following the practice times, we will have a short coaches meeting.

We will line up about 5:30 and conduct opening ceremonies beginning at 6:00

Before we close out the opening ceremony we will have an opportunity for players to exchange and trade pins, buttons, or whatever you set your kids up with.

Immediately following the ceremony we will have a player social. We will be bringing in Pizza.

Let's talk more about the ceremonies/social. We plan to have a current Division One player come in and talk a few minutes with the girls. Then you, the coaches, become the show. I want to set up a McDonalds All American set up for your kids. Here is what I have in mind: I want to do short a 3 on 3 coed tournament. One of your coaching staff will be in a 3 point contest. One in a a dunk contest. Before you totally dismiss the idea, hear me out. I raised three girls of my own, we were like you.... Basketball was a huge part of our lives. It was our social outlet. Some of the most memorable times we had as a family were at basketball tournaments. My youngest is 19 now, and the girls still talk about the time me, and my assistant played a coaches game. The girls had a blast! The yelled, the cheered, coached, the heckled, they had a blast watching me make turn over's I try to coach out of them daily. 3 point or free throw contest shouldn't scare any of you. Dunk contest... The goals in the MPIF can be lowered. I am thinking 9' for guys, 8' for women, but we can do whatever. Picture your kids sitting at a table with cards 1-10 to judge the contest. I think it's cool. The 3 on 3.... You have up to 4 coaches or bench personnel. I am not thinking about long drawn out games, but what about a "crunch time tournament" we just use the bracket for teams already provided by AAU and play 2-3 minute games.

Here is your chance. If you think it's lame, or you want nothing to do with it, let me know now! If you all say no way, we will do something else. Love it - Hate it

5/21/09 We were notified of additional team intentions to participate. Apparently something is happening with the automated system, and they are working out the issues. Today they sent me nine additional teams. Yea! Shaping up to be a great event.

We look forward to helping you have an excellent Tournament experience!

Sincerely,

Darrin Simpson
Tournament Director
317-997-9792