What is Dallas Thunder?

Dallas Thunder is the name of the basketball teams sponsored by Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc.  The organization was formed and is operated by parents who desire to give their home-educated children an opportunity to play basketball at the highest skill levels without enrolling their children in public or private schools.  


What is Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc.?

Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc., is a Texas nonprofit organization which has qualified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The sole activity of Dallas Homeschool Basketball,, Inc. is to operate the Dallas Thunder basketball program.  A reference to “Dallas Thunder” really means Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc., and vice versa.

The board of directors of Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc. (which is governed by its bylaws) consists of several parents who volunteer their time and abilities to operate the Dallas Thunder organization.  The board members receive no remuneration of any kind.  Their only reward for their services is the satisfaction they receive from giving our children an opportunity to play basketball with other home educated children.


What are the goals of Dallas Thunder?

The primary Dallas Thunder goals are to play competitive basketball, to develop outstanding individual and team skills, and to develop and model character qualities fitting of Christian athletes.


Does Dallas Thunder play competitive basketball?

Dallas Thunder seeks to give home-schooled basketball players who have already attained some skill level the opportunity to further their development and help them reach their goals and fulfill their athletic potential in this sport.

To achieve our goal of playing competitive basketball, Dallas Thunder schedules games for its junior and senior high boys and girls basketball teams with some of the top private schools and public schools in the Dallas -Fort Worth area.  
Our desire is not just to play teams from top schools, but to compete with them at a high level. Our season culminates in participation in the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Tournament each March.


How does Dallas Thunder develop individual and team skills?

To achieve our goal of developing outstanding individual and team skills, we use experienced professionals to coach our players. We have regularly scheduled practices with challenging workouts, giving our players the opportunity to develop and improve individual skills and to learn team play. Although our practices and game schedules are concentrated from August through March, we offer a year-round program for interested players, allowing those who so desire to work on improving their basketball skills year round.


How does Dallas Thunder develop character?

We believe that basketball can be an excellent training ground in which to learn many important character qualities, including team work, perseverance, and self-control. To achieve our character development goals, we strive to employ coaches who demonstrate these character qualities in their own lives, and we encourage our players and parents to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen on and off the court.  We have codes of conduct for our players, our coaches, and our parents.


Is Dallas Thunder a Christian organization?

The purposes clause in the Articles of Incorporation of Dallas Homeschool Basketball, Inc. filed with the Secretary of State of Texas includes the following text:

“Dallas Homeschool Basketball is committed to exalting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to training its members to live in accordance with the Word of God as found in the Holy Bible. We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and that there are no extra-biblical writings which are considered as such.  We believe in the Triune Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We believe that individuals are defined as Christians by the Bible when they have placed their eternal security in Christ in a prayer of faith in which they confess their condition in sinfulness, their inability to personally attain righteousness on their own merit, and their trust in the atoning blood of Christ and his substitutionary death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.”

While Dallas Thunder as an organization is committed to exalting the Lord Jesus Christ, Dallas Thunder does not discriminate in its provision of services due to race or religion. Dallas Thunder admits homeschool students of any race, color, nation, religion and ethnic origin to its programs. It does not discriminate on the basis of any of these in administration of its educational, admissions, or scholarship programs.


How should Dallas Thunder’s Christian purposes affect its activities?

Dallas Thunder will seek to do the following: To make our priorities God first, family second, school third and basketball fourth.To promote Christian values and character, based on the good news of Jesus Christ. To promote and model Christ-like behavior, to the best of our ability, throughout all aspects of the basketball arena. Basketball can be a tough, hard sport and as such, in order to be successful, the players must be tough. But no matter how hard, or tough we become as players, we must show respect for our opponents as individuals and as a team.  We must as fans, cheer for our players, not against our opponents. We must respect the referees. We must maintain a stance where any out-of-control, or abusive behavior, language, or actions by our players, coaches, or fans is not tolerated. These basic Christian ideals and values are the cornerstone on which we desire to build and manage this program. To stress character, discipline, and team concepts among its athletes. Players will be asked to take responsibility for improving their own “game.” In order to properly execute basic basketball fundamentals, emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining a disciplined nature while on the court and the need and value of developing team play, habits and attitudes. To provide positive mentoring relationships between coaches and players.  Coaches are selected for their basketball knowledge, their ability to relate to kids, and for their character and integrity. We understand our players look up to these coaches as role models. Our coaches must be willing to undergo a rigorous background check and must adhere to a specific set of guidelines, rules, philosophies, and ethics.


Does Dallas Thunder have a Code of Conduct?

Yes.  Players and parents must agree to abide by a Code of Conduct. To review the Code of Conduct, click here.