A letter from the directors Welcome to the 2015 Minnesota Fury season! We are excited for the 9th season of the Minnesota Fury AAU Basketball Club. Over the past two graduating classes (2014 & 2015), we have had 18 players accept scholarships to Division One schools, and 31 players accept college scholarships at the D1, D2, or NAIA level. Those numbers are both the highest of any AAU club in Minnesota or surrounding states! We also had our 2017 Blue team win the MN AAU State Championship, which means our club has won back to back 9 th Grade AAU State Championships! We have built our club on honesty, integrity, and building personal relationships. Even in growing our number of teams, it is one of our highest priorities to maintain the same level of individual relationships. So, if at any time, you have any questions, concerns, or comments; we are always open to that communication. Please see our contact information below: Sincerely, Minnesota Fury Directors Nick Storm: nstorm@minnesotafury.com, 612.460.0836 Andy Cerisier: andy@minnesotafury.com, 612.414.1968 Tim Peper: tpeper@minnesotafury.com, 651.785.4015
Program Mission Through second to none coaching and instruction along with top notch competition, you will improve your basketball skills and get exposure to play college basketball. Minnesota Fury Program Philosophy The philosophy of Minnesota Fury is student-athlete based. We want to provide all players a positive basketball experience that is rooted in fundamental skill development by teaching the elements of the game, and providing a competitive atmosphere for those striving to become the better players. We will provide them with role models who will teach them the game, give them an introduction to the next level of basketball, and expose them to opportunities that will allow them to continue to grow as people and basketball players.
Age Group Definitions Developmental Age Groups 2019-2022 The developmental team will be focused on individual skill improvement and team development. These teams will play in State and regional tournaments. These teams will be prepared to play at a high level in the future. Goals of the Development Teams are: Individual improvement and development Team success Participation to help each athlete prepare to play and compete at the highest level. Elite Age Groups 2016-2018 The elite teams are selected to represent MN Fury at the highest level in the state, regional, and national play. These teams will play in Minnesota AAU state tournaments, regional tournaments, and a number of exposure (national) tournaments. Goals of the Elite Teams are: Develop individual skills Play against the highest competition in every tournament Advance as far as possible in tournaments by winning games Gain exposure to college coaches Develop the ability of our players to make an impact at the next level (high school and collegiate levels)
Age Group Playing Time Descriptions 2021-2022 (5 th /6 th ) Close to equal playing time for the first 2/3 of the game (if all player expectations are met) throughout the all tournaments except the State Prelims and State Tournament Play to win in last 1/3 of the game in close games 2018-2020 (7 th /8 th /9th) Preparing players to play at a higher level. These teams are focused on higher skill and team development Players will compete for playing time. Each player will play in every game and earn minutes in not only games but in practice situations. Minutes will vary based on game, situation, and opponent. Coaches will strive for minimum 1/3 playing time over the course of a tournament (However, this is not always going to be possible/achieved) 2016-2017 (Sophomores/Juniors) Playing time is at the sole discretion of the coach Playing to win every game and compete at the highest level Playing time is earned by performance and is not guaranteed. Coach will strive to balance out playing time as possible throughout the tournament and season Exposure is a high priority Please remember that our coaches will not play favorites. They are competitive people, and will do what is best for the team. Their decisions may not always turn out to be the correct one, but will be made using their best judgment; not everyone is perfect. Please also remember that what is best for your daughter is not always what is best for the team as a whole. The coach s job is to do what is best for the team as a whole. Do not base the value of playing time on the score of the game. That is not fair to your daughter or her coach. Our coaches will not stop developing his/her players during competition based on the score of the game.
Coaches Expectations In the Minnesota Fury program we will be providing athletes with positive role models that will teach the game and give each athlete an experience that will inspire them to improve. We feel that we have the best coaching staff of any AAU Club in Minnesota, and maybe anywhere! Look at these stats: 8 Current or former Varsity Head Coaches 8 Current or former Collegiate Coaches Coaches who have led teams to Minnesota High School State Tournaments Coaches who have coached Miss Basketball Award Winners, First-Team All-State Players, and Collegiate All-Conference players. Coaches Expectations Remember that they have tremendous influence on athletes, and will never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character. Treat each player as an individual, remembering the potential large spread of emotional and physical development for the same age group. Organize practices that are fun and challenging for all players. Lead, by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players. In both victory and defeat, behavior as a coach shall model grace, dignity, and composure. Documenting via email to the parents if a player comes to them with an issue they are having on the team.
Player Expectations In the Minnesota Fury program we are striving to not only have great basketball players involved on our teams but also represent area high schools, players, parents, and the MN Fury with class. 1. Attendance 100% attendance is an expectation at all practices Use this rule: Would I miss my HS Varsity practice for this? Call/Email before practice at least 24 hours PRIOR to a scheduled practice if you are unable to attend Please be responsible and plan ahead for practice! Homework/Studying/Group Projects are not an excuse to miss practice. Take personal responsibility to be proactive in your daily schedule. 2. General Expectations Do your best at all practices and games playing time will be based on performance in games and practices. Listen to coaches while at practices and games. Practice good sportsmanship by treating all players, coaches, parents, and officials with respect. Accept the decisions of the coaches and referees without arguments. Work for the good of the team and honor the commitment to teammates and the program. Understand that my participation in this program is an opportunity to compete, to learn, to improve, to be part of a team, and to have fun. 3. Game Expectations Bring both sets of uniforms Compete every play Enjoy the success of all players celebrate together and improve together. You are not each other s competition. Be in the game Control the controllables: effort, enthusiasm, attitude, team play don t worry about uncontrollables: officials, other people
Parent Expectations / Code of Conduct The biggest challenge for our coaches is to do what is best for his or her team as a whole, with the understanding that this will not necessary be what is best for every individual player at that moment. This is the #1 thing that parents can understand to help make the job of the coach easier. 1. Role of Parents in our Club Support your daughter and her team by providing transportation to tournaments and games. Support your daughter s team by cheering positively in the stands, and volunteering to help with things like keeping stats, keeping book, videotaping games, etc. Support your daughter s coach to your daughter and other parents in the decisions that he/she makes as it pertains to in-game strategy and playing time. Encourage your daughter to talk with her coach about any issues before getting involved yourself. Contact a director if negative behavior is happening by anyone surrounding your daughter s team or the entire club. 2. Unacceptable actions by parents Disrespecting officials, opposing teams, or fans during tournaments. Counting/Tracking playing time minutes at tournaments Putting a value on your daughters playing time based on the score of the game Talking negatively about your daughter s coach to your daughter or other parents Talking negatively about the club, the team, or players on the team to anyone Coaching your daughter from the sideline in games or practices 3. Monday Evening Rule If you are unhappy with the experience that your daughter is having as it pertains to skill development or the environment in practices and games, we encourage you to talk with the coach of your daughter s team and/or the club directors. Any conversations of this nature cannot take place until the Monday evening after the tournament (cooling off period). In no instance can they take place during a tournament, unless there is a fear of the physical well-being of a player. The Minnesota Fury Program is about the kids and doing what is best for our teams and players. Parents and other family members are agreeing to abide by this code of conduct. Any behavior that is contrary to this code of conduct could be grounds for the directors to take action (including but not limited to suspending you from practice or tournaments or suspending your daughter from playing with the team without refund). If you have a problem with anything on this page, please contact a director prior to the start of the season.
Contact Information Sheet Directors: Nick Storm: nstorm@minnesotafury.com, 612.460.0836 Andy Cerisier: acerisier@gmail.com, 612.414.1968 Tim Peper: tim.peper@isd199.org, 651.785.4015 Nicki Storm: nicki@minnesotafury.com, 952.212.0403 Coaches: 2016 Elite Ruth Sinn: rasinn@stthomas.edu, 952.412.8896 2016 Gold Sean Pinkerton: sppinkerton@stkate.edu, 781.568.0217 2017 Blue Tim Peper: tpeper@minnesotafury.com, 651.785.4015 2017 Gold Zach Otto-Fisher: zotto-fisher@gsl.k12.mn.us, 320.455.1163 2018 Blue Andy Cerisier: acerisier@gmail.com, 612.414.1968 2018 Gold Molly Kasper: molanderson20@gmail.com, 715.864.3244 2019 Blue Nick Storm: nstorm@minnesotafury.com, 612.460.0836 Rachel Hansen: hansenr@csp.edu, 612.991.0189 2019 Gold Troy Zaiser: zize44@gmail.com, 651.214.4616 2020 Blue - Andy Cerisier: acerisier@gmail.com, 612.414.1968 Morgan Zabel, morg.zabel@gmail.com, 507.581.9780 2020 Gold - Heather Cook: hecook23@gmail.com, 952.913.6511 John Thompson: johnandleannt@embarqmail.com, 612.709.9064 2021 Blue/Gold Sean Pinkerton: sppinkerton@stkate.edu, 781.568.0217 Chris Robinson: crob527@yahoo.com, 612.849.1067 2022 Blue/Gold Tim Ellefson: tim.ellefson@hutch.k12.mn.us, 320.583.2513 Conner Goetz: goetco02@luther.edu, 952.807.4385 So-Minn 2016 - Andy Bromeling: abromeling@yahoo.com, 651.271.2143 So-Minn 2017 Scott Miller: s.miller@komets.k12.mn.us, 507.951.2926 So-Minn 2018 Keefe Zelinsk: kzelinske@semaequip.com, 507.259.0518 So-Minn 2019 Andy Bromeling: abromeling@yahoo.com, 651.271.2143 So-Minn 2020 Jesse Nelson: jhnelson@rwps.org, 651.380.6518