You may work out to build a strong, quick and athletic body. But if you don’t protect your back during training sessions, things can go horribly wrong.

Before March Madness sets in, basketball buffs, do some homework with this in-depth and interactive NCAA Tournament database. If hoops history repeats itself, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Ever wonder how many shots Wilt Chamberlain took in his 100-point game or what current Heat lineup scores the most? You’re in luck. The NBA opened its statistics vault, giving fans (you!) access to every boxscore since 1946 and 4.5 quadrillion data combos.

We know the value of sports tournaments. They foster good competition, allow participants to see different places and interact with new people, and provide a fun divergence from the routine.

Of course, the invaluable experience has an inherent challenge: The price tag. Not every team has a Daddy Warbucks to foot the bill, and nothing worthwhile comes free anyway, right?

Fortunately, the fundraising part of tournament participation can get the whole experience off to a great start. Done right, athletes will learn life lessons about planning, the importance of a good work ethic and the benefits of off-the-court teamwork.

When it comes to fundraising, creativity can lead to big rewards. We talked a lot about discount cards, which can be INCREDIBLY successful when pared with the right fundraiser. Take a look at some of these creative money-makers:

A youth baseball team held a 50-50 raffle every weekend for a month, putting players outside local supermarkets to sell tickets. That brought in $9,000! They also did Final Four and Super Bowl pools for another $3,000. Now that’s some serious cash.

A club volleyball team took babysitting to new heights and raised $500 in a single Saturday evening. Talk about the Babysitters’ Club!

Then there was a soccer team that took the comprehensive fundraising approach by helping with homework, selling seasonal flowers (lilies in the spring; poinsettias before Christmas) and providing childcare services.

“It was the best trip,” a 16-year-old athlete told The Record in New Jersey. “We worked hard for it because we knew it would be difficult for some of the parents to pay for it.”

Veteran youth club coach Charles Dowson listed three keys to fundraising success:

1. Get parents to buy in on the plan. That kind of support is crucial!

2. Don’t hit up the same people time and time again. Although parents, grandparents and so on can be great for some quick cash, the best fundraising encourage people outside your circle of influence to buy or donate

3. Find the right price for economic condition. You may want to stick with something in the $5 range during tough times, and think about something with a higher price tag when times are good.

Does that help? Remember that we’re always here to help when it comes to your fundraising needs, whether it’s providing customized discount cards or gourmet caramel corn. Good luck out there!