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MID MICHIGAN EXCEL

LANSING’S PREMIER AAU BASKETBALL ORGANIZATION

GIRLS TEAMS

MORE DETAILS

BOYS TEAMS

MORE DETAILS

“In basketball, as in life, true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way”

-Phil Jackson

Building character, building vision and creating confidence each and every time our young people step on a court is only a part of getting them ready for a productive life.

We envision every interaction with our players as teachable moments that reinforce values and discipline. At the end of it all, they’ll understand that being part of something that its bigger than themselves empowers them to be adults with purpose. Lastly, it’s about always doing the right things when no one is watching.

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A message from

Mid Michigan Excel

Founder & Executive Director

Don Iacobellis

COURT
HAPPENINGS

2026 Tryouts are here!  All at Under the Nets North (1175 E. Chadwick Rd Dewitt, MI).  On Sat, Nov 1 230-4 for 5/6 Girls and 430-6 5/6 Boys, Sun Nov 2 from 230-4 for 7/8 Girls and 430-6 for HS Girls, and Sun. Nov 9th 230-4 for 7th Boys and 430-6 for 8th Boys.  We look forward to the season!  Next Level!

If anyone is interested for all grades, both boys and girls or in general, or interested in coaching we would like to hear from you!

Contact Don at iacobeld@aol.com if interested.

CLUB
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2025

2024

2020

 2025  Club Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary

Club adds 6 Boys and Girls Teams expanding participation and completes All about the Free Throw Initiative

Through 10 Year Anniversary club changes original logo and color scheme
2015

2014

 Participant and winner of Chicago Sky WNBA Day Game

  • D2-6th Grade Boys-3rd in States D2.
  • First Boys Team added for 6th Grade.
2012
  • D2-8TH Grande Girls State Runner Up/5th, 7th, 8th Participants.
  • D2-7th Grade Girls National Participant.
2011
  • D2-6th Grade Girls State Participant.
  • EXCEL FOR A CAUSE serving the Community begins with the Pink Campaign Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative.
2010 D1-6th Grade Girls State Final Four/National Participant

CELEBRATINGOVER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

When Mid-Michigan Excel began, we did so to create an impact on youth sports within the greater Lansing area. Since that time, the response to our program has been overwhelming and support unsurpassed all attributable to our caring and enthusiastic athletes and their families. The change of our brand to a more contemporary “look and feel” represents an acknowledgement of growth and reality where today’s Excel is a stronger, more engaged and exciting organization than ever before. As we have great plans for enhanced programs and tournaments challenging our young athletes, so to should be our brand in a way  that reflects that energy and passion. We hope that you love our new look and logo as much as we do. We look forward to your continued support of our Club.

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YOUTH SPORTS BY THE NUMBERS

Most competitive teams at each grade level from 3rd grade through HS. We participate within Michigan within a 1-2 hour drive radius of Lansing. Tournament selection based upon skill and success level of individual teams. Rosters typically are 10-11 players deep on each team.

67%

Of boys are already on teams by age 6.

47%

of girls are already on teams by age 6.

FUN

Biggest reason kids quit sports is lack of FUN.

65%

Of youth participate to be with friends.

67%

Learn sportsmanship as their #1 outcome.

47%

Develop discipline while playing organized sports (Sports Illustrated).

41%

Say they wouldn’t care if no score was kept in their games (USA Today).

32 years

of Olympic Connection.

MID MICHIGAN EXCELLATEST NEWS

The 10 Year Anniversary Skills Challenge
April 2, 2020
The 10 Year Anniversary Skills Challenge
Hi Excel family!  How to cope? How to profit with learning during idle times? And…how to take care of ourselves during stressful days! While we’re in our COVID19 headache, I have begun our excel challenge to get all of you, including players, family members, friends as well as our proud alumni to get out and […]
PLAYING MULTIPLE SPORTS. IS IT AN ADVANTAGE?
April 2, 2020
PLAYING MULTIPLE SPORTS. IS IT AN ADVANTAGE?
I have always been supportive of players within our program who play multiple sports and allowing them time to do so as well as not overwhelm them.  We have often heard from coaches who insist on and may even penalize them with lack of play time.  My son was a multi-sport athlete and there was […]
A GROWTH MINDSET – Are we putting too much emphasis on winning and losing?
April 2, 2020
A GROWTH MINDSET – Are we putting too much emphasis on winning and losing?
In this Positive Coaching Alliance video, Carol Dweck talks about the importance of having a growth mindset and pressures we put on kids on winning and losing.  I know that all of us want our kids to win and excel, but how to we accept losing or failure and how do we incorporate life lessons […]
WHAT MAKES AN MVP PLAYER? ARE YOU ONE?
April 2, 2020
WHAT MAKES AN MVP PLAYER? ARE YOU ONE?
How do we build a championship mindset on and off the court with our student athletes?  It is a daily commitment that involves continuous improvement on and off the court, setting high standards, motivation on getting better, with daily preparation.  It also involves stressing good values, instilling professionalism in how we go about our business […]