FALL SEMESTER

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                                    LI HOOPS LEAGUE (www.LiHoops.com)

1.      What's LI Hoops?

LI Hoops is a very competitive amateur league in Brentwood, NY (10 minutes away from school). It has many competitive divisions starting from beginners to former college level (Elite). Touro has been involved with LI Hoops for several years already. The highest division we've competed in is "A1" - second after "Elite". For example, see these Fall 2008 stats.

2.      How much is it to play there - Is cost covered by Touro?

Until now, it has NOT been covered by Touro. We usually get a discount there, but roughly, each team's entrance fee is $700 and each player chips in about $100. The more teams we get to play there, the better is the discount.

3.      How many teams can we have in this league?

Unlimited number, as long as we pay the league.

4.      Are there tryouts for this league?

No.

5.      Are friends who do not go to Touro allowed in this league?

Yes.

6.      Ok my friends and I want to sign up, what do I do?

E-mail Alex-Shkolyar@tourolaw.edu. (You can get your friends together, chip in and play - just let us know what the names of the people are).

7.      When do LI Hoops games begin?

This semester, we'll probably start there right after Labor Day. They have four consecutive games every night, with the earliest one starting at 6:30 and latest one starting at 9:30.

8.      Do I have to pay right away?

Probably not. The owner/score keeper is a very nice guy and he might allow payment in installments, but if you can, please pay right away.

9.      I am only interested in Lawyers League and the WNEC Invitational Tournament; Who needs this league where we play against “street ballers”?

One "advantage", so to speak, it has over Lawyers League is that Brentwood is 10 minutes away from school and is very accessible! Moreover, this league  is perfect for preparing for Lawyers League, as it sets a very competitive environment that provides a great set-up for the upcoming semester.

10.  I'm a 1L and I'm afraid basketball will take away from my studying time.  Should I play?

 Studying is #1, no question. If you strongly feel that such commitment will take away from learning, then don't play. At the same time, a weekly one-hour "cardio run" with friends in a competitive setting can prove beneficial and refreshing and can in fact energize you to study productively. A weekly game should not be a cause of time depletion. People who've been a part of Touro Law Basketball Society are already 2Ls and 3Ls and started playing as 1Ls. Feel  free to ask any one of us anytime how to better manage studying and basketball.

SPRING SEMESTER

                                    LAWYERS BASKETBALL LEAGUE (lawyersleague.com)

1.      What's Lawyers Basketball League?

Lawyers Basketball League is a primer basketball organization in the City where big law firms and other NY metro area law schools compete in various skill divisions. The finals are held in MSG. http://lawyersleague.com/lbl/aboutbb.htm. The school covers our fees here.

2.      When will we play there?

The season for the law school division starts the first or second Sunday of the Spring semester. Games vs. other law schools are on Sundays and some weekday night games are vs. law firms. Most games are vs. law schools, so most games are on Sunday and scheduling should not be an issue. 

3.      How many games will each of our teams play?

8-9 regular season games and then playoff games with the chance to get to MSG! Most games are vs. other law schools.

4.      Which law schools are in the League?

Virtually every NYC metro area law school is or has been in the Lawyers League at one point or another.

5.      Where are the games played?

In Manhattan. Last year, most games were in Baruch College Gym in Midtown.

6.      What? So it means I'll have to travel all the way to Manhattan to play some ball?

Correct, except that it's a prestigious tournament filled with networking potential where you'll represent Touro Law School and not just "play some ball."

7.      How many Touro teams will there be -- What's the cost per team?

Three (3) teams as of now. Dean Raful and the SBA are providing us with a lot of money. Entrance fee is $1,500. Suffice to say that the entrance fee for all teams and other expenses total about $6,000 last year for our teams.

8.      Are there tryouts?

There were tryouts last year. There'll probably be tryouts this year as well. More info to be released later in the semester.

9.       How are the three teams divided up?

We've tried to divide teams by law school year - Touro 1, Touro 2, Touro 3. However, we try to concentrate the most skilled players from every year in one team.

10.  Isn't it unfair?

Not if all Touro teams have a common goal in mind: To get Touro Law to MSG. We can help our school by having its name on the champions' list of Lawyers League. If we're in it more than just for ourselves, then the joy of victories of one team is shared by others. With that goal in mind, it makes the most logical sense, to have a "strongest" team consisting of players irrespective of their academic year.  By the way, last year, our 3 teams were pinned against each other and the team that was considered "all star" actually lost to another Touro team in a regular season game. 

11.  Who decides the teams?

The most experienced senior players are selected to hold E-board positions, such as Head Coach. This year, 3L Ian Ribald, NCAA D3, (President) and 2L Chris Renna, NCAA D3, (Head Coach) will be making roster decisions.  All NCAA stats can be checked here: http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/careersearch

12.  Are all teams in one division?

Yes. Lawyers League commissioners put all law school teams in the same division. While, unlike LI Hoops, it does not offer the equality of skill levels for all teams, it is still fun and competitive.

13.  How can we practice for the Lawyers League during the spring semester?

Last semester, Dean Raful bought us gym membership in NYIT Gym, located literally 30 seconds away from Touro. If all goes well, we'll be able to practice there again. 

         Western New England College School of Law Basketball Invitational

1.       What's WNEC Invitational?

2.       WNEC is the oldest and most prestigious law school tournament in the country. It's a 3-day basketball getaway event filled with games, evening parties, and playoffs. Located in Springfield, MA, it's virtually the closest event to a National Law School Tournament. Touro has participated in the tournament since 2001.

3.      When is it?

Usually, it's an early to middle weekend in February.

4.       How much is it to play there?

Nothing. This Tournament has been completely covered by Touro. The SBA reimburses all expenses, including participation fees, hotel, gas and taxes. So the entire amazing trip is FREE!

5.       WOW, you expect me to get all the way to Springfield, MA???

Yes, but that's the fun part. In the past, people have carpooled to have as many people per car as possible. There will always be someone driving and once again, gas is reimbursed.

6.      Can my friends who don't go to Touro play there?

You can certainly bring friends/significant-others along, but at this time we’re not sure if non-Touro friends can play. More details to be released about the 2010 tournament.

7.       Are there tryouts?

 Probably not. By the time the tournament comes and provided we have more than one team, our coaching staff should know how to divide the teams.

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