About the OSA Crusaders Summer Select Boys Program The OSA Crusaders are proud to bring you the BEST summer basketball program in the Midwest! Our advanced structure of competition, team practices, and biweekly academies will allow players to significantly improve fundamentally, play a schedule that is second to none, and for high school players, receive opportunities from a college exposure standpoint that are unprecedented for Nebraska players! Leadership/Coaching: The OSA Crusaders ADIDAS program directors include Doug Woodard, Bellevue West; Jim Simons, Omaha Westside; Tom Krehbiel, Boys Town; Andy King, Creighton Prep; and Bob Franzese, OSA General Manager. Coaching of the national and youth programs is coordinated by OSA Professional Coaching Staff, with direct supervision and oversight from Bob Franzese. The OSA professional leadership is as good as it gets and is committed to working with your child to enable them to be the best that they can be while teaching them a love and desire for this great game! Our select coaches are highly qualified and under the direct tutelage of our professional staff. 15, 16 and 17-Year Old OSA Crusaders ADIDAS GAUNTLET Boys Teams (current freshman/sophomores/juniors) Over the course of the last several years, the OSA Crusaders have proven to be the premier grassroots basketball program in the state of Nebraska along with being one of the top programs in the Midwest. In assisting multiple athletes each year reach their goal of playing collegiate basketball, the Crusaders have also often found themselves making deep runs in national tournaments squaring off against nationally known shoe circuit teams. The OSA Crusaders are proud of our continued relationship with Adidas, as we enter into our 3 rd year into the highly prestigious ADIDAS Gauntlet. As proven in years one and two, the competition level and opportunities for exposure to college coaches are truly second to none! All three of our high school ADIDAS teams will participate in the GOLD Gauntlet Series, which will give our players an opportunity that few in Nebraska have the chance to compete on the biggest stage in AAU basketball. Our national teams will also play a competitive schedule, and our players will gain exposure and play in front of a large number of college coaches during the crucial live NCAA recruiting periods! OSA Crusaders players will continue to have the opportunity to be selected to the ADIDAS Nations event and other elite adidas training camps. About ADIDAS Gauntlet The OSA Crusaders U15, U16 and U 17 teams will participate in four Adidas Gauntlet events in 2019. Teams will compete in two spring events in Indianapolis and Dallas for a chance to qualify for the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in Los Angeles in July. All teams will participate in the Adidas Summer Championships in Birmingham, Alabama in July as well. The NCAA has scaled back the number of NCAA certified live viewing periods for Division I coaches from five in 2018, to two in 2019. This year s NCAA certified live period events will take place in Dallas in April and in Birmingham in July. Although Gauntlet events in Indianapolis and Los Angeles are non live events, teams will have the opportunity to play in facilities where games will be live streamed and in front of the nation s top scouting services! Former Adidas Grassroots participants include NBA athletes Kyle Lowry, Derrick Rose, Damian Lillard, Andrew Wiggins, Justise Winslow, Eric Gordon, Dante Exum, and Serge Ibaka. Current top college athletes include Zion Williamson and Charles Bassey. Note: OSA Crusaders subsidizes adidas team travel expenses through fundraising efforts and sponsorships. Fees collected from regional teams are not used to subsidize any expenses associated with the national teams. *For a complete tournament schedule, visit our website at https://omahasportsacademy.com/summer-spring-select/ 2
15, 16, and 17-Year Old National Teams and Regional Teams The OSA Crusaders will also offer outstanding options for those who are not selected for the OSA Crusaders ADIDAS teams. While we understand that many players will strive to make the OSA Crusaders ADIDAS teams, the OSA National and Regional team experience will provide an opportunity that is second to none. OSA National Teams will play a highly competitive schedule that will put our players at events that provide maximum exposure. OSA National teams will be coached by highly qualified individuals and will participate in two NCAA Live Tournament Weekends, as well as other high-quality events. Players can expect to play in front of college coaches from the D1, D2, D3, NAIA and Junior College levels and be exposed to significant recruiting opportunities. Summer AAU basketball is about player development and getting them the appropriate level of exposure, and OSA National Team players can expect to this experience to meet both of these goals at extremely high levels. OSA Regional Teams will be assigned to either the Green or White schedule following tryouts: Green Schedule: Teams assigned to the green schedule can expect to play in virtually every event as the National teams, including two live period NCAA events, with additional high-quality regional events. Players will experience a heavy dose of fundamental and team training in practice and can also expect outstanding coaching. White Schedule: Players assigned to the white schedule will also play a highly competitive schedule that will involve participation primarily in local events and can therefore expect minimal travel. Players can expect a heavy dose of fundamental training in practice and can also expect outstanding coaching. Families of OSA National and Regional teams are responsible for getting their player to tournaments as well as for their accommodations and meals. OSA will set up hotel blocks for each team and will assist in coordinating and the oversight of players whose families may not be able to attend. In addition to ten tournaments and one to two practices per week, ALL high school players have the option of attending our Summer Select Skills academy on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30pm - 4:00pm, beginning June 10th. These skills sessions are administered by the OSA professional coaching staff, and each session will involve intense skills training in areas such as shooting, scoring, ball handling, passing and fast break situations. It should be noted that during the first four weeks of June, players on the National Teams and Regional teams assigned to the Green Schedule will not play tournaments so they can focus on high school competition. Participants assigned to the White Schedule will play minimally. For a complete tournament schedule, visit our website at https://omahasportsacademy.com/summer-spring-select/ YOUTH BOYS TEAMS 4 th 8 th Grade National Boys Teams The OSA Crusaders are committed to creating a higher competitive experience within the greater Midwest. In the recent past, we have sought to find a balance to compete against some of the top programs in our area, while being able to make reasonable travel accommodations for our coaches, players and families. (Just because a team travels 10 hours to a tournament does not mean they will have a good competitive experience.) Our goal is to play a highly challenging schedule against top teams in the Midwest. Upon review of the competitive events in our area, we have created a schedule that we are confident will provide our players and families a first-class experience. Families are responsible for getting their athletes to tournaments, as well as for their accommodations and meals. OSA will assist in setting up hotel blocks for families, and team parents are usually great about coordinating rides and oversight for athletes whose parents might not be able to attend. 4 th 8 th Grade Regional Boys Teams Players will play nine or ten tournaments between April and August. Tournaments will be a mixture of MAYB tournaments and other credible tournaments that are within driving distance. This set of teams can count on great coaches who put development ahead of winning. Excellent oversight of the program is provided by the OSA Professional Coaching Staff, from which ALL players will benefit, regardless of team placement. OSA will assist in setting up hotel blocks for families, and it should be noted that team parents are usually great about coordinating rides and oversight for children whose parents might not be able to attend. Regional teams will be assigned either the GREEN schedule or the WHITE tournament schedule. The GREEN schedule will be more competitive and involve more travel. The WHITE schedule is also a competitive one, and it is 3
more locally based. Regardless of the schedule your child s team plays, you can count on your player being coached exceptionally well with extensive oversight and leadership. 3 rd Grade Boys National Boys Teams OSA Crusaders 3 rd National teams will play a schedule of 8 tournaments, three of which will involve travel between May and August. 3 rd National will practice twice a week throughout the spring and once a week throughout the summer. During the summer session, our 3 rd National teams will participate in two optional, but high encouraged, days of Skills Academy. 3 rd Grade Boys Instructional League Players who are not selected for the 3rd Grade National Team will be selected for the Instructional League. This program is for current 3rd graders and will provide them with an instructional alternative for this age group that will be both highly beneficial and lots of fun. Teams will consist of 8-9 players. Games, practices and academies will be coached and run by members of our seasoned OSA coaching staff. The season will run from April 11th thru July 25th and will consist of the following: SPRING SESSION Thursdays from 5:30pm 7pm (April 11 th May 23 rd ) After the first 3 weeks of skills academy and practice, each session will be followed by teams playing an instructional game. This allows us to incorporate the skills learned in practice immediately into game situations. SUMMER SESSION Consists of one weekly practice, one day (optional) of skills academy and participation in the OSA Summer Pella League. Summer Dates: Select Skills Academy: Thursdays from 2:30 4:00pm from June 13 th thru July 25 th Practices: Tuesdays from 5:30 6:30pm from June 11 th thru July 23 rd Summer Predator League: Sundays from June 9 th thru July 21 st Practices: OSA Staff is always learning cutting edge trends and is not afraid to educate themselves on a continued basis. In past years, OSA professional staff members have attended the Thunder, Spurs, and Cavs training camps, have been guests at the highly prestigious College Point Guard Camp (PGC), Metro Basketball Coach Athletics, and collegiate and high school practices around town. The objective is for our players to be consistently exposed to the newest ideas and current trends in youth basketball, allowing us to incorporate these trends into our highly successful core fundamental and schematic training. You can count on OSA practices to be crisp, professionally run, and fun for your child! Practice time will focus on skill development as well as offensive and defensive team concepts. Players will be pushed both physically and mentally, yet still have fun each time they attend. Our unique practice format allows for each player to focus on five key areas at each practice: scoring, defensive principles, transition, fast break/ball handling, and offensive team principles. At all practices, one of our professional staff will be directly involved and hands-on with your child s team. This allows us to teach a progressive skill set and schemes to everyone in the program. OSA Crusader Formula for Development of Impact Players Practice Schedules: Typically, U15-U17 Boys Practices will be held on Sunday afternoons/evenings and Tuesday or Wednesday evenings in April and May. 4 th 8 th Grade Boys Practices will typically be held on Saturday mornings of non-competition weekends and Wednesday evenings in April and May. Spring practice schedules will be posted with team placement information after tryouts and will be flexible as we try to be accommodating to each team s player schedules. We recognize that high school programs typically hold their camps, clinics and summer leagues in June. As a result, we will not hold U14 U17 team practices in June to allow players to participate with their high school teams. All U14 U17 boys teams will practice daily June 24 th thru 28 th. Players are still encouraged to attend the Mon/Thurs Skills Academies. Complete schedules will include June and July practices, and will be handed out at the Parent/Player Meetings. TEAM PRACTICE SKILLS ACADEMY COMPETITION Summer Select Skills Academy: These academies serve as a great compliment to team practices and the tournaments we play. While competition and regular team practices are very important, our Summer Select Skills Academies are what put our players over the top, with an emphasis on developing impact players from an individual skills standpoint. All three of our sons played AAU with OSA Crusaders and it was definitely some of the best experiences each of them, and our family, had through their high school years. The heavy exposure to college coaches, the regular and consistent practice time, and the high-level coaching they received were all contributing factors to each of them achieving their goal of playing college basketball. The friendships and memories we made through playing AAU with OSA 4 will be with us for life. Steven Ferrarini, father of Nick Ferrarini, Millard North Graduate and current Wayne State Guard
Specific Skills Academy focuses include: High Level Skill Instruction & Repetition Ball Handling Shooting One on One Moves Decision Making Specific Moves Intense Transition The OSA Crusader Program was a great experience for my son. This is a first-class organization that emphasizes player development and playing at the highest level. Kenya Hunter, UConn Assistant Coach and former Nebraska Assistant Coach, and father of Jaylin Hunter, former OSA Crusader Adidas Gauntlet player Charlie loved his experience with OSA! Great organization, great coaching, great friends, and the exposure resulted in many D1 and D2 offfers! Couldn t have asked for more! Ed Easley, father of Charlie Easley, Lincoln Pius X Guard 5
OSA Spring/Summer Select Fee and Payment Structure All fees include weekly practices, weekly skill academies, and all spring and summer tournaments. All players will also receive free open gym membership at OSA through September 2019, as well as a 30% discount on all summer camps. The fees below DO NOT include the summer uniform (estimated $120), for which participants who do not already have a uniform will need to order online after tryout results are posted. TEAM FEES* (Do not include cost of uniform for those who need one) U15 U17 Boys adidas Teams $975 (OSA Crusaders do significant fundraising to subsidize costs) U15 U17 Boys National & Regional GREEN Teams* - $1249 U15 U17 Boys Regional WHITE Teams - $1099 U14 National Team - $1249 U14 Regional Teams - $1199 4 th 7 th Grade National Teams $1199 4 th - 7 th Grade Regional Teams o GREEN SCHEDULE* - $1199 o WHITE SCHEDULE - $999 3 rd Grade National Teams - $999 3 rd Grade Instructional League - $425 *Please note: Regional teams assigned to the GREEN Schedule will have more extensive travel commitments, thus the difference in fees. PAYMENT DEADLINES 3 rd National thru U17 Boys teams - $600 payment due March 15; Balance Due April 15 3 rd Grade Instructional League - $200 payment due March 15; Balance Due April 15 Questions: Contact Bob Franzese at bob.franzese@omahasportsacademy.com or 402-504-1222, ext 1 or Charles Thompson at charles.thompson@omahasportsacademy.com or 402-504-1222, ext 3 with any questions about the OSA Crusaders Spring/Summer Select Basketball Program. 6