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Off the Bench and Back in the Game
TCU basketball camps are resuming play this summer following a two-year benched period due to the pandemic. Beginning in mid-June, campers of all ages will take to center court at Schollmaier Arena, home to the Horned Frogs men’s and women’s basketball teams, to develop their skills and all-around love for the game. Head coach Jamie Dixon and his staff instituted these camps in 2016 with the purpose of “providing a basketball camp experience that is educational, instructional and fun.” Popularity grew to almost 300 participants each session prior to 2020, and the hope is that this year’s turnout will be just as strong.
“We’re excited to have all these kids back on campus. And what a great time to do it after such a successful season,” said Thomas Montigel, assistant athletics director and former four-year letterman for the Horned Frogs.
Montigel, who grew up attending countless camps, looks back now as an adult and appreciates all that a basketball camp like this one has to offer its athletes- and he’s not just referring to the good snacks and cool t-shirts (although, rest assured that good snacks and cool t-shirts will be included). “[Basketball] teaches a ton of team building and camaraderie but it also teaches life skills- how to work hard and be disciplined.”
Photo courtesy of TCU
Three separate camps will take place from June 17 to June 30. The series will kick off with a unique camp allowing fathers/guardians and children (sons or daughters ages kindergarten to fifth grade) to learn basketball at an introductory level together. This day and a half kiddie camp will focus on the basics and, more importantly, quality family time. “It’s very fun, very introductory and all about parents spending time with their kids. Our coaches love this one the most because they love seeing the dads getting out there and competing with their kids,” said Montigel. Meals and overnight accommodations at campus residences are available for traveling duos.
The following two sessions are day camps for boys (grades 1st through 9th) that are geared toward providing young athletes with proper instruction for game and mindset development. In addition to their own coaching staff, TCU recruits seasoned coaches from around Fort Worth to take part in leading the camps. After morning drills and station work, campers will be rewarded with on campus lunch, guest speakers, contests and opportunities to meet and be starstruck by some of TCU’s very own.
Photo courtesy of TCU
“We have an unbelievable group of guys on our team who are extremely high character student athletes and great role models that we want to show off,” Montigel proudly boasts before admitting that the kids don’t get to have all the fun. “It’s equally as enjoyable for our players, coaches and staff.”
Registration and detailed camp information is available online at info.abcsportscamps.com/TCUBASKETBALL.
Camp Dates
- June 17 & 18 (Father/Child Camp / K-5th Grade)
- June 20-23 (Day Camp I / Boys Grades 1st – 9th)
- June 27-30 (Day Camp II / Boys Grades 1st – 9th)
Photo courtesy of TCU
Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5, and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her husband, talking about her cat.
