Table of Contents
1 – Mission Statement
2 – Objectives
3 – Vision
4 – Goals
5 – About our CPA Organization
6 – Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Mom’s
7 – Coaching Responsibilities
8 – CPA Founding Members Board Information
9 – Communications
10 – General Game Rules & Regulations
11 – Team Ethics, Discipline, and Grade requirements
12 – Code of Conduct
13 – Team Composition – Registration and player placement processes
14 – Player Exposure plans and College Recruiting Service
15 – Teams, Practice and Tournament Schedules
16 – Additional CPA Leadership Board Members
17 – Final Comments from the CPA Founding Board Members
(1) Our Mission Statement –
A. It is the mission of the Mauldin College Prep Academy programs to serve our youth players, their families and the entire Upstate S.C. community at large by providing fun, safe and enjoyable youth sports experiences by recognizing each player’s physical and emotional well-being. Additional strategies will be in teaching our players people skills development, by treating them with respect and dignity and by encouraging positive parent and or family involvement, promoting community service, and by enriching young lives with meaningful competition and socialization.
(2) Our Objective –
A. The objective of our CPA Youth Basketball Program is to develop and refine the skills of any player who participates in competitive Youth Basketball leagues within a series of local, state and national circuit tournaments.
(3) Our Vision –
A. Our Vision is to produce high quality basketball players from various grade and age groups, who will not only compete at the Middle and High School level but develop them adequately enough for them to excel in the College realm and possibly beyond. Consequently, creating very productive citizens for our community.
(4) Our Goals –
A. Are to:
Aid in the development of fundamental skills in basketball and life situations.
Improve individual and team player skills.
Provide competitive playing opportunities for children.
Be a contributing resource of top-notch talent for our local upstate school’s basketball programs.
Educate our youth on how commitment to basketball may have a long-term impact on their lives through self-sacrifice and learning positive leadership skills training.
(5) Our CPA Organization –
Welcome to the Mauldin College Prep Academy ! Here is where we teach and train our ball players to be the smartest, strongest, most athletic, and most versatile players on and off the court. So with that stated, please be assured that since everyone associated with our CPA Training Group are parent as well, please note that we will treat your kids just like they are one of our own and that is with dignity and respect ! Also and if need be, we will provide them with a curriculum full of additional training in regard to education, humility, morality, and spirituality.
(Please Note) – CPA is a Certified 501c3 Non-Profit Organization since our initial 2018 season. However, we are an organization that is completely overseen by highly educated, proficiently skilled volunteers & mentors with a goal of providing the opportunity for your son or daughter to not only become much more proficient at the game of basketball but as a by-product of doing so, attaining a better outlook on life for the future.
Now, we certainly want to thank you again for giving CPA the opportunity to work with your kids to give them a better understanding of game fundamentals, but to also include advanced training and techniques as well.
(6) Head Coaches, Assistants & Team Moms –
A. No team shall have more than two (2) coaches and 1 Team Mom. The Coaches will be designated as Head Coach and Assistant Coach.
B. All Coaches are required to submit a formal application and background check. After a favorable background check has been attained, the Coaches applying for the positions are then subject to approval by the CPA Voting Board Members.
C. All Coach appointments are made by the CPA Board for a one (1) year period. All Head and Assistant Coaches perform their duties directly under the leadership of the Director of Operations. Additionally, all coaches will be evaluated each year thereafter. This evaluation will be used to determine whether or not he/she will be invited back to represent a team in our CPA Organization in the future.
D. All coaches must understand and agree to carry out the duties, responsibilities, policies, and philosophies as established by CPA. Any coach not carrying out these duties and responsibilities will be subject to dismissal by the Organizational Board via simple majority vote. Specific grounds for dismissal will include insubordination, not obtaining the required certifications to perform his or her coaching duties, financial mismanagement of his or her team and non-conformance in regards to chain of command and the CPA hierarchy structure.
E. All Team Head Coaches are required to hold a preseason and mid-season parent meeting to discuss rules, conduct, responsibilities, etc., to make sure that all participants understand how to conduct themselves accordingly.
F. Coaches should always keep in mind they are setting examples in sportsmanship and fair play and should conduct themselves accordingly at all times.
G. Only the Head Coach, their Assistant and the Team Mom will be allowed to sit on the bench with the team during the playing of an official game. Violations of this rule may result in forfeiture of the game upon appeal from the opposing coach, if the offending coach does not immediately remove the unauthorized person from the bench.
H. No Head Coach or Assistant Coach may leave the bench area for the purpose of starting or continuing an altercation with any official, player, fan, ect. for any questionable call or any reason what-so-ever !
I. Team Moms are responsible for creating and maintaining the Team’s Credential Binder. Be in charge of the player’s drinks and snacks before and between games. Work with the other Team Moms to collect and wash the team’s uniforms while playing in away tournaments.
(7) Coaching Responsibilities –
A. Plan and supervise games, practices and events.
B. Teach the young athlete the fundamentals of the sport.
C. Encourage the involvement of the parents in the sport.
D. Provide a safe, fun and competitive environment for the players.
E. Learn and follow all CPA & league rules, policies & procedures.
F. Develop players to their fullest potential.
(8) CPA Founding Members Board Information:
Armond ‘Weeble” Flood – (armondflood@yahoo.com)
Current Occupation: Mauldin High School Teacher (JROTC)
Basketball Coaching experience – 12 years
Life Status Married: Wife and 3 Children
Education: Trident University
James ‘JT’ Tucker – (tuckjt@aol.com)
Current Occupation: BMW Logistic Manager
Basketball Coaching Experience – 22 years
Life Status: Wife and 2 Children
Education: Morehead State University
John Gallien – CPA Director of Operations (jgal0509@aol.com)
Current Occupation: Carolina Aeronautical – Aviation/Aeronautics Systems Instructor
Basketball Coaching Experience -12 years
Life Status: Married and 3 Children
Education: Eastern New Mexico University
(9) Communication –
A. To help keep communication smooth and productive, there is a certain “chain of command” that we ask everyone to use. Parents should first contact the coach with any questions and if the issue goes unresolved, the parent must contact our Parent Liaison Manager to assist in the matter.
(10) General Game Rules & Regulations –
A – High School & Middle School Basketball rules will be used for age divisions and a minimum of two referees will officiate all tournament games that CPA will participate in.
(11) Team Ethics, Discipline, and Grade Requirements –
A. Any coach or player that receives two technical fouls or is ejected in a game or if a player receives a flagrant foul or is involved in any form of fighting during a game they will be disciplined at a minimum by being removed from the current game and they will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game.
B. To be eligible to participate in the CPA Organization’s AAU Basketball Program (5th – 12th Grade), all students must meet a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher. However, if the student has a certified learning disability, verified by the S.C. School Board a waiver may be granted.
(12) Code of Conduct and Organization Policies –
Coaching Policy: Our coaches represent CPA at all times. Our coaches are to always treat the players with respect. Our coaches are to promote the team and do what is in the best interest of the team. As such, there is no guarantee in the amount of playing time for any particular player, but each player selected to the team will contribute on the team’s behalf and will have many opportunities to develop as a basketball player.
Complaints: All coaching complaints should be submitted in writing to the Head Coach. The coach will then schedule a meeting to try to settle the issue. If an issue can not be settled or is ignored, the complaint should be submitted in writing to the Organization President. No complaint from a parent should ever be expressed in front of the team (i.e., during and or after a game or practice). Any parent violating this policy is subject to having their son or daughter (player) immediately and permanently removed from the team.
Parental Conduct: Parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that shows good sportsmanship and sets a good example for the players. Parents should not be exceptionally critical of a player, coach, or referee during a game. All parents should realize that they, as well as their children, represent CPA. Any parent or player that does not represent CPA in a positive way is subject to being removed from the team. We strive to be an Organization you can be proud to be associated with and expect the same from you.
Player Attitude: CPA is a family-oriented organization. It is our intent that the experience be enjoyed by everyone. Players are expected to always be respectful to coaches, parents, referees, teammates and opposing team members. Players should be on time for all events with the right attitude and enthusiasm. Players or parents are expected to call their coach in advance if they are going to be late or miss an event. Unexcused absences will result in reduced playing time and or up to dismissal from the team. Players are expected to listen when a coach is talking and they will be asked to follow instructions to the best of their ability. We reserve the right to remove a player from the team if the player fails to participate as agreed or demonstrates conduct detrimental to the team. Additionally, any player removed from the team for cause or quits the organization in the midst of the season, will not be due any refund of the player’s fee paid.
Participation With Other Teams: Players with any CPA Team are normally not permitted to participate with other teams as pickup or substitute players unless there are very special circumstances that warrant granting such a request. Additionally, all approved waivers to play with another AAU Organization must be signed by the CPA President, V.P. or the Director of Operations. Any player who violates this policy may be permanently removed from our roster.
Refunds: Any player that is removed from the team for cause or is voluntarily removed from the team by the parent(s) or get’s caught playing with another Organization without authorization from the CPA Coaching Staff will be dismissed from the team and will be afforded no refund.
(13) Team Composition – Registration and player placement processes –
A. No player shall be eligible to participate in the player try-out evaluation until they have paid the CPA try-out fee, have signed all required CPA waiver forms, and is verified by the Head Coach of that team. Additionally, no player will be eligible to be assigned to a CPA Team by the Director of Operations until they have completed, signed and dated all of the CPA Registration paperwork and have made their initial down payment towards their player’s fees and again, validated by the team’s Head coach.
B. Players will be placed on their respective team based on their grade and age for the current school year. However, players can move up into a higher division based on skill level. If a player is found to be knowingly placed in the wrong age or grade division by the coach, the coach can possibly be relieved from his or her duties based on the investigation and the player may be removed from the organization.
C. Player assessments and team assignment – Each player will provide a demonstration of their initial individual skills in the basic fundamentals of basketball and their Student Report Card to determine which team he or she will be assigned to, by the direction of the CPA Director of Operations.
D. Each team will ideally be made up of 10-12 players.
(14) Player Exposure plans and College Recruiting Services –
A. Each team’s coach, at his or her discretion and own resources may opt for their team to have their games recorded and placed on our Organization Web site’s communications page for exposure.
B. Any player designated as an “Elite” Varsity High School level player may have an Elite Player Recruiting Profile created and funded by the parent(s) and at the discretion of the player’s coach. This should include all available High School and CPA Stats, a personal one-on-one interview video, along with a fundamental skills demonstration video and game film to be sent to various college and university recruiters and coaches.
(15) Team Divisions, Practices, and Schedules –
A. Travel Team – This division is for Elite Level players. Each team will have a one-hour practice session, twice a week along with pre-scheduled tourney events.
B. Local Team – This division is for developing to intermediate level players. Each team will have a one-hour practice session, twice a week along with pre-scheduled tourney events.
(16) Additional CPA Leadership Board Members –
A. To make sure that we, as a legitimate and Certified Sports Organization operate as efficiently and ethically as possible per our C.P.A. by-laws, scheduled monthly, quarterly and if necessary, unscheduled called board meetings will take place. In addition to these proceedings, the following below actions have also been initiated.
Installation of additional Board Officer Member positions (2023) :
1 – CPA Organizational Secretary – TBD
2 – CPA Organization Parent Liaison Manager – Armond Flood
(17) Final Comments from the CPA Founding Board Members –
A. As a disclaimer, please understand that we are the Mauldin College Prep Academy AAU Basketball Organization and not the “Mauldin Middle or High School” Prep Academy! As such, we welcome any and all kids who desire to participate in our organization. Our sole function is to develop these players into the best basketball player he or she can be and send them back to their respective schools with dominating skills ! Additionally, do note that our CPA Organization does not and will not function as a High School or Middle School recruiting service for any public or private school in our Upstate S.C. area, as each player is zoned for attendance in a designated Middle and or High School. With that said, please do not ask CPA to assist in trying to facilitate or circumvent any Rules that govern the S.C. School Zoning Regulations for athletic player participation, for this request will surely fall on deaf ears, as we value the Morals and principles that we preach !
B. These teams within our organization are for the children. It is not for adults who wish to live out their childhood fantasy to become a coach on any competitive level. Whether boy or girl, all must be allowed to play and play with a sufficient amount of time that will build confidence. All of the children do not have the same skills but as they practice, they will become a team.
C. We believe that sports form a foundation of teamwork and confidence building for children that will be needed as they grow older and as they begin to be self-sufficient. Winning is fine, but we don’t win all the time, as in life situations. The way one handles losing, as well as winning, will tell a lot about one’s character.
D. We implore you, the parent, to allow the coaches to coach. We will only have them for a few hours a week. We realize that you are the real coaches, coaching your child on how to be successful in real life. Finally, we ask for your cooperation in helping us to help your child on the basketball court. Thank You !