Hiawatha Park Basketball is an all-volunteer organization run in partnership with the Chicago Park District. We are dedicated to competitive and instructional basketball for kids.
WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED?
Games are played once a week on either Thursday or Friday evenings or Saturday mornings. The league has a 10-week regular season plus playoffs. The first games are Dec. 5-7 and will continue through Feb. 20-22 with holiday breaks. Playoffs for all divisions except the Mins will be the following three weeks with the Championships on March 15. The schedule will be released in mid-November once registration is finalized and we know how many teams on are in league.
WHEN ARE PRACTICES?
For the Minis Division (Grades 1/2) practices will be a weekday evening TBD. Practices for Majors, Juniors and Seniors Divisions will be on Saturday or Sunday in the mornings or early afternoons. The coaches schedule the practices based on available time at Hiawatha. The practices will start around Nov., 9 so that each team can schedule several practices before games begin.
HOW MUCH DOES THE LEAGUE COST?
The registration cost is $100 plus a $3 fee that goes to the registration app. There is a $10 non-Chicago resident fee. The $100 covers the cost of referees at every game, a team shirt, trophies and year-end banquet. Also, the Chicago Park District requires us to buy general liability insurance as well as use some of the registration fee to fund park improvements. The league is run by all-volunteer coaches and board.
CAN I REQUEST MY PLAYER BE ON A TEAM WITH ANOTHER PLAYER?
Siblings will be placed on the same team unless the parent requests otherwise. A coach can draft children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Unfortunately, we cannot make accommodations for travel purposes. We encourage coaches and parents to organize a group text to make travel plans if necessary.