WOLFPACK FAQ

What is the Downers Grove Wolfpack?

Downers Grove Wolfpack is a boys and girls competitive travel basketball program. The organization is a not-for-profit community program that is run by a volunteer group of Board Members. Our organization strives to provide a fun, safe environment for future DGN students to learn and improve their basketball skills. Our primary goal is to prepare the boys/girls to play basketball at the high school level for Downers Grove North.

Who may participate?

Boys teams are restricted to athletes who reside in the areas that feed into DGN. 

Girls teams may have athletes who reside outside of areas that feed into DGN if necessary to field a competitively balanced team.  Adding non-DGN players will be at the discretion of Wolfpack Board Members. 

When are the tryouts?

Tryouts are held annually on two Sundays in August.  All athletes are encouraged to attend BOTH tryouts.  Tryout dates are typically posted by mid-June on our website and all other social media accounts.  There is a small fee to tryout.  All players trying out will receive a numbered Wolfpack T-Shirt.

How are teams selected?

All tryouts are run by professional basketball trainers.  The trainers will run drills that allow independent evaluators assess skill level and rank of each player. Teams are selected during the tryouts based upon skill ability. Evaluations are conducted during the tryouts by Board Members, DGN coaches and past coaches. Typically players are evaluated on dribbling, shooting, defense and overall basketball skills.  Ideally there are 10 players per team. There may be some situations where a team may have up to 12 players or slightly less than 10 players.  We attempt to make 2 teams per grade level.

How long is the season?

Our season lasts from the beginning of November through the first or second weekend of March. Teams will have their year-end playoffs in late-February or March.  Playoff timing is contingent upon when our league reserves a gym for your player's grade level.

Does Wolfpack offer professional skills training during the season?

Yes, Vince Doran works with our boys and Elliott Englemann our girls. Both are accomplished local trainers.

What league does Wolfpack participate in? And how many games do teams play?

All teams are registered to play in the Dupage Youth Travel Basketball League (DYTBL).  In addition to league play teams will sign up for a few shootouts/tournaments.  Shootouts are selected by each team's coaching staff.  Typically teams play between 20-30 games per season.

How much does it cost?

2023-24 Season, $545 base Wolfpack fee and $125 Feeder Fee to DGN.  Uniform as needed $130-$150 depending on size.

How are coaches selected?

All coaches are selected from a pool of interested people by the Downers Grove Wolfpack Board.  Anyone interested in Coaching, whether Head Coach or Assistant Coach, a Wolfpack team should contact the Board to express interest.  All coaches are required to complete a background before they begin coaching in the program.

What is the commitment level required?

There are typically 2 practices each week for 1.5 hours each. Times and locations can vary by age group.  During the course of the season it is very important that Wolfpack Basketball be prioritized above other sports. Attendance at practices and games are crucial to the development of each player's skills and understanding of the team concept and capabilities.

Where can I buy Wolfpack spirit gear?

Squad Locker offers on demand Wolfpack branded gear.