Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Honest question. There seems to always be the same teams at the top year after year while other programs continue to struggle. Schools with the same or similar student body size can't compete. In your opinion what makes these schools so consistently successful? Is it the coaching? Is it the system they run? Is it the town/PAL program or the local travel clubs? Are some towns just more "lacrosse towns" or have more kids play from a young age? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Hard to figure out. But I can say towns with $$$$ seem to be very good . More money , more clinics , more private lessons etc.. look at a district like Sachem very big they won 1 or 2 state championships in the 90’s when it was 1 HS . There youth program is very good. Sachem north always in the playoffs but never get over that hump. People say they have 2 Hs so not getting the best , but the argument with that is look at smithowns and Hills also 2 Hs. I think money towns are very good . smithtowns, syosset , Wm , CSH , GC , Mahasset etc. garden city Wm you also have generations that stay and live there. JMO


Tradition and culture are a big part of the reason. However, having parents who are willing (and able) to start their kids young and "pay to play" year round from Pre-K all the way up through HS. Doing so requires a lot of time, effort and money. Think of a family with multiple children all involved in the sport. They can easily spend in excess of $6,000 (after tax dollars) per year per child for 8 - 10 years. Equipment, Tuition, Training, Gas, Tolls, Hotels, food, drink etc... Very few kids will be able to compete without keeping up with the Joneses.


This phenomenon of playing all year has not been around as long as the top lax schools maintaining their stature so it has to be more than that. GC and Manhasset, both conference B schools, constantly churn out excellent teams. Many kids often return to live there as adults and it goes back multiple generations. Maybe that is the connection.