FAQs

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How old do you have to be in order to attend?

Prep School is open to serious players entering 7th to 10th grades.

Essentials and Think The Game courses are open to serious incoming freshmen, high school, and college players.

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College Session is open to athletes who have played a minimum of one year in college.

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What's your policy on serious athletes who want to attend a course when they don't meet the minimum age requirement?

We make no exceptions, regardless of talent, size, or athletic ability.

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Is PGC really designed for college players?
Yes! Even though only about 10% of the athletes each week are college players, the curriculum for our Essentials and Think The Game courses are designed with a college-level player in mind. And, because of their experience and maturity level, college players typically benefit more from PGC than other players. There are currently over 50 PGC grads playing at some of the top Division 1 schools in the country.

In addition, Point Guard College also offers a session specifically for College players. For further details, click here.

(The NCAA will not allow us to publish quotes about PGC from any Division 1 student-athletes or coaches.)

Here’s what some college players have said about their experience at PGC:

"PGC was a great experience for me this week. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would. Many of the topics we learned about went hand in hand with things they teach us at UConn. PGC does a great job of making you look at the game in a different way, and I think I will take that with me forever. PGC is the best basketball teaching program I have ever been to."
- Division 1 College Player

"I learned a lot about what it takes to lead a team. Every classroom session had a different topic that I needed to learn about. The information that I learned here is going to be very helpful for me next year as I try and lead my team to a championship."
- Division 1 College Player

"Being a college player, I came into Point Guard College a little skeptical. I knew there was a great deal I didn't know, but I was weary of how much I could learn that would really change my game. Now as I look back after a week at PGC, the only thing I wish is that I would have come earlier. "
- Ashley Grimm, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

"I think your program is the best. Your camp teaches all ages how to play the game and have habits that will work in tough situations in critical games."
- Levon Gipson, III, Dillard University

"As a player going to play in college, I think this was one of the best investments of time and money I've ever spent!"
- Sara Vargas, High Point University

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Is there a maximum age limit?
Prep School - The maximum grade for a Prep School player is 10th grade.

Essentials / Think The Game / College Session - There is no maximum age for these courses. We occasional have players in their mid-to-late 20's attend and have even had players in their 30s and 40s attend. All that’s required is a strong desire to better understand the game.

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Why should coaches sign up to attend?
Many coaches say that they learned more things that have helped them with their teams than at any coaching clinic they’ve ever been to.

Coaches are welcome to observe one full session (i.e., film, lecture, and gym session) at no charge. If a coach wants to observe the entire program, they are required to pay the coaches’ tuition (which is less than the athletes’ tuition fee).

Visit the Coaches section of our website for further details.

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I've already been to PGC once. Should I come back again? If so, for which course?
If you’re already a PGC grad, you can return and do the same course again or attend one of our other courses.

As for attending a course again, each course offers more basketball information than anyone can possibly absorb in one week. Plus, as you get more experienced in the game and more mature as a student and as a person, you’ll hear and notice things that you missed or heard differently the first time around.

So yes, as long as you come back with the desire to learn even more about the game, we think that’s exactly what will happen to you. But the best people to ask are the two- and three-time PGC grads.

Here’s what some of them have to say about this question:

"This was my second time to attend, and I feel as if I passed the point of being overwhelmed and was able to soak in even more information than last time. PGC allowed me to look at basketball in a different way than most of my opponents will. I feel as if I've been given some of basketball's most important and most hidden secrets. "
- Kasey Dabbs

"I think coming back a 2nd and 3rd time is so valuable in trying to apply all the information, techniques, etc., to your game. The first time can be so consuming with writing down all the info and trying not to miss anything. If you come back another time, you walk away with a great improvement to your game just by getting everything drilled into your head again. From my experience, a return trip is an excellent way to help make the things taught at PGC into habits."
- Nevin Lubarski, 3-time grad

"This was my second year at PGC, and I learned just as much as I did the first time. Each time you come, the skills are 're-loaded' back into your game. Without a doubt, this camp has been the most intense and beneficial five days of basketball I have ever had. The three sessions a day of hearing, doing, and seeing is the perfect teaching combo."
- Michael Reimer

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What if I'm not sure if I'm ready for the intensity of PGC?
Then wait a year or two. Our courses are not designed to be easy or relaxing.

You’ll be getting up for early morning classes and court sessions. You’ll have to listen intently, take lots of notes and work extremely hard. You’ll spend up to six hours a day in the gym, not just playing, but doing drills and simulations, often with frustrating and limiting restrictions designed to reinforce new habits or principles.

There will be no free time to go swimming or visit the campus bookstore. No celebrity athletes will be stopping in to sign autographs or give you a pep talk. And there will definitely be no talent shows. Each course will be an intense week spent studying and learning the game. If this doesn’t excite you and get you counting the days until you get here, you’re better off waiting a year or finding another program.

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Does the teaching curriculum change from site to site?
Not much. Sometimes a discussion period will focus on some question or issue that has arisen within a particular group of athletes, but the main topics essentially stay the same.

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Does the level of competition vary from site to site?
Of course it does, but there is no way to predict which sites will have the better players. It’s entirely random, and we never know how good or how experienced the players are until the week begins. But PGC is not a “competition camp” anyway. We do not put much emphasis on who plays the best. Our focus is almost entirely on teaching you to play the game more intelligently, no matter how good you are right now. What you get out of Point Guard College will depend on your approach and your eagerness to learn, not on the competition around you.

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Is the program coed?
Yes. Learning to play the game more intelligently has very little to do with gender. Guys and girls will both be in the classroom and the gym at the same time. In the gym, players are taught as a group, but when it comes time for competing, guys typically play against guys, and girls play against girls. In the dorms, the guys will be on a separate wing, floor, or dorm from the girls.
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How good is the food?
Cafeteria food is not always gourmet. If you want home cooking, make sure your mother and your grandmother stay in a nearby hotel and cater your meals. If you don’t arrange for that, then don’t expect home cooking, because if you do, you may be disappointed. And don’t bother telling everyone that you don’t exactly love the food. You will just be saying what nine zillion others have already said before you. Have a little more respect for yourself and your words. You will get college dorm food. Some colleges have great food, some only have mediocre food. Most of you have four years of it to look forward to – might as well get used to it, and start thanking your mother for her good work while you have the chance.

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What if I have special dietary needs?
Approximately one month prior to your session, you should contact us directly and let us know about your needs. We cannot guarantee that the college can accommodate you, but they will usually try.

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Does PGC provide transportation for the athletes?
Point Guard College offers assistance with transportation to and from a designated airport for athletes over the age of 15 who are attending Essentials and Think The Game courses.

A Point Guard College staff member will be at the airport to greet you and will coordinate your shuttle to the college with other incoming athletes. The shuttle (which will be provided by a shuttle service or taxi company) is pre-arranged by Point Guard College and can be purchased when you register for $35 each way. A shuttle back to the airport at the end of the week will also be coordinated by Point Guard College. You can provide your flight information and pay for this service when you register or at any time up until one month before your session.

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Do the athletes stay in the dorms? Are the dorms nice?
Yes, athletes AND coaches stay in the dormitories. Are the dorms nice? At some schools the rooms are "nicer" than at others. The rooms typically aren't that bad, and we spend very little time in the rooms anyway. In other words, the room is not crucial to having an outstanding experience at PGC. Each day, from 8 a.m. in the morning to about 10 p.m. at night, the athletes will be focused largely on basketball.

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Will I be assigned a roommate?
Yes. Occupancy is generally two to a room. We will try our best to accommodate everyone who requests a roommate. For the most part though, we assign roommates based on age and gender.

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Do I really need to take notes?
YES! In fact, your notes will be the most valuable thing that you take home from PGC. You’ll get more information than you can possibly retain, so taking good notes is critical to maximizing the benefits from your time at PGC. If you are a mature, dedicated student who is serious about taking your game to another level, you’ll have no problem taking notes for several hours a day because you’ll be very interested in the topics and extremely motivated to write them down. If you’re a casual player who’s more interested in “just playing” than in learning the intricacies of the game, PGC is not for you.

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Why can't the parents watch what's going on?
Our mission at PGC is to maximize the learning environment for our athletes so that they can learn more basketball in five days than they’ve ever learned in their lives. And, although parents mean well, they have proven to be more of a hindrance than a help. We have found that having parents pop in and out of the classroom and gym compromises that environment for many athletes. Parents are invited to come to a meeting on the first day where we will talk briefly about the program and answer any questions they may have. After that, we will be happy to see them again on Day 5 after the Final Exam.

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Do you have to be a point guard to attend?
Absolutely not — players of ALL positions attend our courses. We teach the things that all great point guards must understand. However, any player will benefit from playing more intelligently and from learning to lead more effectively.

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Why do the days have to be so long?
If you're asking this question, then PGC is probably not for you. Most of the athletes who come to PGC are very serious about their basketball. If they wanted a vacation, they would go to a beach. When they are at PGC, they don't want to waste time. They want to learn as much as they possibly can, so that's what we provide.

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What time is check-in/check out?
Registration takes place on the first day of your session from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Checkout is at 11:00am on the last day of your session. Upon registering, be sure to print off your Getting Ready packet from our website in order to confirm your check-in and check-out location and times.

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Can I check in the dorms early?
Some schools do allow athletes to check-in a night early and some do not. Our staff will not assume responsibility for athletes that check-in early.

You will need to contact a school's Conference Services department independently to inquire about an extra night's accommodations. We do not assist with this service.

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Do you have any books or videos?
Videos are in the works. Meanwhile, if you’re interested in the type of information we teach at PGC or if you want more of it, check out any of the late Dick DeVenzio’s books.

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What percent of athletes who attend are boys and what percent are girls?
Our programs are approximately 50% male and 50% female. That’s why a session might be filled up for one gender, but still have openings for the other.

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How many athletes come to each session?
The number of particating athletes range, depending on the size of the gym at each particular location.

Prep School will have between 100-140 athletes (although some of our larger facilities allow for more athletes)

Essentials typically has between 120-160 athletes (although some of our larger facilities allow for more athletes)

Think The Game typically has between 120-160 athletes (although some of our larger facilities allow for more athletes)

The College Session typically has between 60-80 athletes.

Most nationwide summer basketball camps are two to three times the size of our sessions. Nearly all of our programs fill up, and we turn away hundreds of athletes each summer, but we feel it's important to keep the numbers smaller so we can minimize the amount of time athletes are standing around in the gym.

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What should I bring to PGC?
You can download a list of what to bring from our Getting Ready Packets page. Don’t forget to print out and bring our medical release waiver and a $60 key deposit check made out to Point Guard College. (You’ll get your key deposit check back when you turn in your room key at check out.)

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Can I bring my own music or other media to PGC?
Players who bring boom boxes, TVs, Xboxes, PlayStations, and other similar items to PGC usually aren’t athletes—they’re just “campers.” So don’t bring any of that stuff. You won’t be spending that much time in the dorms anyway, and when you are in the dorms, you and most of your fellow athletes will want to rest up for the next session. Come to PGC to learn as much as you can, and save that other stuff for when you leave. If you feel that you have to have those other things with you, then you should probably choose some other program.

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What are your rules about conduct at PGC?
We have few rules, but we expect you to conduct yourself in an exemplary way. This program is for serious and mature athletes only. Those who need a high degree of supervision or babysitting should choose some other program.

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What if I have a female course director at PGC? Can she really teach me the game?
Basketball is basketball, and players are players. Understanding and being able to teach the game isn't gender specific. To anybody who's been to PGC before, this topic isn't even an issue. But if this is an issue for you, here's what some male PGC grads have to say about it. If you read what they have to say and still don't believe a female can teach you anything about the game, then you're probably right, and you should probably choose a different program.

Here's what our students have said:

"When I first came to the Point Guard College, and I heard that a woman was going to be teaching us, I thought, 'What is a woman going to teach me about basketball?' By the first 10 minutes, I threw that question out of the window. I have no clue how you know so much about the game. Thank you so much for all of your very useful wisdom."
- Wade Schaffer

"Learning how to control the tempo, being more of a leader, and learning more about fast breaks will definitely help me to make my team more successful. It seemed like everything we did during this 5 days was for a purpose. I wasn't sure about coming to the Point Guard College at first because I didn't think a female could teach me anything about the game. But not only did she teach me, she taught me more in 5 days than I have learned in my entire life from any other coach."
- Kyle Calder

"When I first signed up for PGC, I wasn't so sure about a woman teacher, but after about the first hour of class, I found out she understood the game of basketball better than anyone I knew."
- Dace Hartman

"I will be honest-when I was first coming to this class and I found out that a girl was teaching it, I was like, 'What?!' Now, after being in this camp, I think you know more basketball than anyone I have ever met. I don't know of anyone who could do this camp any better."
- Jordan "Spud" Schade, University of Minnesota-Duluth

"Before coming to PGC, I was skeptical about being taught by a woman. But after hearing the first couple of minutes of the first lecture, I knew that she knew exactly how to be a champion at the game of basketball. Very few people have the ability to teach that attitude to young players. Thank you for all your hard work this week. I learned more than you could imagine."
- Rob Thomas

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Why does your program cost $645?
When we read the evaluations we get from athletes week after week and year after year, we realize that our tuition is more than a ‘camp fee’, it’s an investment. We provide a blueprint for success for athletes that can lead them to future, dramatic improvement, on and in every other facet of life.

What is it worth to you to transform your game (or your son or daughter’s game) and move a big step closer to realizing your potential? What is it worth to you to transform your approach to life (or your son or daughter’s approach to life)?

We feel it’s worth a lot…more than we charge. We do not apologize for the price, and we’re very confident that serious athletes will realize the value of the instruction they are getting.

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Do you have a scholarship program or financial assistance program?
We do not want your (or your family's) lack of financial means to stop you from being able to attend and benefit from Point Guard College.

We understand that the cost of attending quality summer programs can place a financial burden on a family. We also understand some families are not able to fit additional expenses into their budget. Although we do not have a scholarship program available at the present time, we do have strategies that many other athletes have used successfully.

Strategy #1:

Ask for part of your PGC tuition to be a birthday, Christmas or graduation gift from your parents, relatives or grandparents. If that's not an option, try Strategy #2, #3 or #4.

Strategy #2:

Ask your school athletic department or basketball program (school or club) to assist with your tuition. Many programs are delighted to support an athlete attending Point Guard College. If needed, get help writing your letter from your guidance department - they will be pleased to assist you. We do not recommend 'just asking'. Submitting a letter to your coach or athletic director demonstrates that you are serious about pursuing this opportunity.

Strategy #3:

Get a part-time job or summer job to pay for the tuition yourself. This requires initiative, planning, and responsibility - three great qualities to develop. Many athletes have babysat, flipped burgers, or washed dishes in order to be able to attend one of our courses.

Strategy #4:

With a coach's or teacher's help, seek assistance from community organizations. Many local organizations (ie. Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kinsmen Club) raise money for the purpose of supporting students in need of assistance (especially when a student has the opportunity for an enriching experience).

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Do you offer team discounts if we have multiple players from the same team?
We do not offer team discounts because we do not want to encourage multiple players from a team to register. There are probably only one or two players on a given team that are suited for Point Guard College. Our courses are designed for that rare athlete who is more committed than his or her teammates, who works harder and looks for ways to get ahead of the competition. That's the athlete we desire to attract and we do not want to do anything to encourage the 'average' players on his or her team to attend. This may sound odd, and contrary to the approach of most camps, but we are concerned with getting the right athletes into our sessions more than we are about filling the sessions.

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Do you offer discounts if a player attends multiple sessions in the summer or if multiple family members attend a session?
Yes, we do offer a $25 discount to players that choose to attend more than one session in the same summer.

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Do you offer sibling discounts?
Yes, we do. A second immediate family member registering for a course will receive a $25 discount off the tuition fee.

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How quickly do sessions sell out?
Typically, the first sessions begin to sell out in late February. Some sessions have openings until the end of May. It often just depends on the specific session. To see what the availability is like for any particular session, click here.

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What is your Cancellation Policy?

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations, for any reason, within 30 days of your session, will not receive a PGC credit or refund.

In the unlikely event that PGC cancels your session, a 100% refund or credit will be provided. PGC will not provide compensation for any transportation related or other expenses incurred. More flexible cancellation options are available with the purchase of Tuition Protection (see below).

Tuition Protection - Our 'Peace of Mind' Policy:

PGC offers Tuition Protection for $35 per athlete that must be purchased at the time of registration.

If you cancel 30 days before your session, Tuition Protection entitles you to a full refund of registration fees, minus the $35 Tuition Protection fee and a $25 administration fee.

Cancellations within 30 days of your session will receive a PGC credit (minus the $200 deposit, the $35 tuition protection fee, and a $25 administration fee). This PGC credit can be applied toward an available course in 2010 or 2011. You can also transfer this PGC credit to a family member, teammate or friend, or you can donate your credit to an underprivileged athlete.

If you cancel within 3 days of your session there will be no refunds or credits.

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What if I get injured before my session?
If you’ve signed up for Think the Game or the College session and you get injured between the time you apply and the time of your session, come anyway. Many athletes have done this, and nearly every one of them was glad they did. The overwhelming majority of teaching will take place in the classroom, so as long as you can write and sit in a chair, you’ll get all the information that every other athlete will get. Oftentimes, athletes on crutches learn more from the instruction because they focus on the information rather than on how they are performing.

If you’re attending an Essentials or Prep School course and get a injury that will prevent you from playing before your session begins, we recommend waiting for another year. Be sure to see our Refund Insurance option if this is a concern for you.

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The session I want to sign up for is already full. Can I get on a waiting list?
For sessions that are sold out, we do have an online waiting list. You MUST register online to be put on a waiting list for a specific session. You will not be required to pay anything unless you are accepted to the session.

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Why should I be put on a waiting list?
Two reasons:

1. Occasionally spots come available at the last minute and many athletes on the waiting list have made alternative plans. We go down the waiting list (sometimes very deep) until the spots have been filled.

2. If we have enough athletes on a waiting list for a given location, we will know to offer more courses in that location the following year.

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What if an athlete has to be sent home from a session?
Ninety-nine percent of the athletes who attend our programs are responsible and mature students who are eager to learn what we teach, so we rarely have any disciplinary problems. However, any athletes who are disruptive to the learning environment will be sent home immediately and will NOT be given a refund.

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