BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Girls 2019-9th Grade Fall 2015 Summer 2016

So here's a legit question and not asking anyone to name clubs or do any club bashing but looking for feedback from people who have left a club and felt they made the right decision. Our daughter is a few years younger but looking for feedback from folks with a few more years under their belt. It would also help if you state why you left and if you found it someplace else. Would also like to hear if anyone regretted or returned to their former club.

So here's a legit question and not asking anyone to name clubs or do any club bashing but looking for feedback from people who have left a club and felt they made the right decision. Our daughter is a few years younger but looking for feedback from folks with a few more years under their belt. It would also help if you state why you left and if you found it someplace else. Would also like to hear if anyone regretted or returned to their former club.

I'll bite. My daughter played for a club for two years, when she was a rising 6th and a rising 7th grader. The first year was okay. The second year we had a new coach and even that was okay.

What changed was the entire roster except for my daughter. Okay, maybe three girls stayed. The rest were grandfathered in from another club and that was problem number one.

Problem number two was the atmosphere of the team. The grandfathered-in girls and their parents were chummy, and my daughter, practically the only original member of the team was suddenly an outsider, as was I. No one would pass her the ball, I'd try to chat with the parents and they'd respond politely but never innate any conversation. They included us in nothing, and how frigging awkward when you take your daughter to a local attraction and there's the team enjoying themselves. It was a clique and we were not in it.

The final straw was a complete lack of communication from the club directors and their apparent disinterest in the girls' side of the program. I touched base with parents from the first year and we moved on and had zero regrets.

What you need to look for as you shop around is partly the club specifics, how much, how far, what's included, which tournaments. But also very important is the age level and the team you expect her to play with. Are there girls your daughter knows? Do you know the parents? How well would the fit be?

I regret being on team elevate I could not recommend this team in good conscience

Couldn't have said it better myself. I think that too often parents are more concerned about their own image i.e. my daughter plays on such and such team, rather than what's actually in the best interest of their child.

Why are you so disappointed with Elevate? Did you just move there from another team?

Went to an Elevate clinic the other week. Had like 7 age groups combined. One woman coaching who seemed like she couldn't be less interested in being there. You know of any clubs taking girls this late? Need to get out before the summer!

Unfortunately, if you have a pulse and the funds to cover the fee you are in. Better if you have someone on the A team to vouche for you and you are guarantee spot on top team site unseen. All with the promise to beat YJ this season.

NO top Elevate team is beating a top YJ team in ANY age group. I think the top YJ team is comparable to the 3rd YJ team in each age group. Would you agree?

I think there's usually a ringleader in every age group trying to persuade disgruntled players to come aboard with visions of grandjuor. Club directors will make promises of playing time, allowing players to dictate positions and some will be happy others probably not. What most people fail to realize is these ringleaders of your so called friends are usually offered something in return for getting players in the form of "scholarships" or reduced club fees. Think about it why else would they be recruiting so hard? The unfortunate thing is for the ones that leave and end up unhappy, going back is not always an option.

Went to an Elevate clinic the other week. Had like 7 age groups combined. One woman coaching who seemed like she couldn't be less interested in being there. You know of any clubs taking girls this late? Need to get out before the summer!

Went to an Elevate clinic the other week. Had like 7 age groups combined. One woman coaching who seemed like she couldn't be less interested in being there. You know of any clubs taking girls this late? Need to get out before the summer! [/quote

This is absolute BS. Just flat out untrue. Happy New Year keep stirring the crap.

We are very happy and our daughter loves the team and all the opportunities she has gotten. Sad that you need to come on here and make stuff up.

This is absolute BS. Just flat out untrue. Happy New Year keep stirring the crap.

We are very happy and our daughter loves the team and all the opportunities she has gotten. Sad that you need to come on here and make stuff up.

Elevate 2016Blue team was excellent … a lot of the girls going on to play lacrosse in college.

Elevate 2016Blue team was excellent … a lot of the girls going on to play lacrosse in college.

Who cares about top team here top team there. Is your daughter happy? People who come on here and chest pump are usually the ones who never played and are living through their kids. My daughter has been with Elevate for 2 yrs now and I wouldn't change a thing. Folks there's a bigger picture out there then everyone fighting about who's team is the best.

so let me ask you something..if you keep on hearing about how bad a guy he is, maybe, just maybe, there is a hint of truth to it?..cant be ALL bad folks posting..Have you looked into his past business dealings?...may open some eyes...

Excellent advice on recruiting from former Tewaaraton winner, Katie Chrest Erbe - and not just for lacrosse:

So you want to play lacrosse in college? Well, I’m sure you’re already familiar with most of the fundamentals of recruiting: join a club team, attend camps of the schools you’re interested in, compile an academic and athletic resume, email college coaches and keep them abreast on where you’ll be playing and when. These are all important parts of the recruiting process, but I wanted to bring attention to a few other, less talked about aspects that are actually a huge deal.

First, it’s extremely important to honestly assess which schools and which level of lacrosse is the best fit for you or your daughter. Maryland, UNC, Northwestern bring in about 8-12 girls per year. So while lacrosse is certainly a sport with tons of opportunity, the sport has gotten much more competitive and the spots at those top schools and programs are more limited than ever. Those programs are looking for the cream of the crop, a chosen few. There are an incredible number of opportunities out there beyond the top 20 Division I schools. Now that I’m in the Midwest, I’ve begun to realize how many Division II and III programs exist that are dying for players. Keep in mind that, for the most part, lacrosse ends after college, so the education piece of your experience truly is the most important. Don’t get caught up in the hoopla of where everyone else is going. Do what’s best for you.

Second, student athletes MUST lead their own recruiting process. There are a few things that cause sirens and alarms to go off for a college coach and turn them off to a kid, and a parent who is working harder than their child to get recruited makes that short list. Once a student-athlete arrives on campus, a multitude of responsibilities are heaped onto their lap. Being a good student, attending study hall hours, turning in assignments on time, managing time wisely, showing up to practice on time with all the correct gear and equipment, being socially responsible, hosting recruits… the list goes on and on. Much of the recruiting process for a coach is feeling out a student-athlete to see if they are capable of shouldering these responsibilities. If a recruit isn’t the one taking initiative in their recruiting process, it’s going to be hard for the coach to believe she will have the life skills and wherewithal to be a reliable member of their team. The student-athlete will be the one attending school, dealing with the coach, etc. once she gets to school, so she needs to be the one doing the work in her recruiting process.

Going back to the sirens and alarms and red flags… this brings me to my next point: making good decisions off the field. Whether it’s at a tournament between games, on your weekends with friends, on a recruiting trip or on Twitter, social responsibility is absolutely essential. We are in a day and age where a 140-character post to social media by a teenager can cost a grown adult their entire career and livelihood. Many coaches have spent decades working their way into the job in which they now hold. This is why many coaches are incredibly cautious about recruits whose decisions surrounding their social lives and their social media usage appear risky. Coaches are finding more and more that taking a risk with a player whose social media is questionable just isn’t worth it. Be smart, think before you post, and if you wouldn’t hold the picture up in a personal meeting with the coach (or your parent for that matter) then don’t post it!

Next, ACADEMICS, ACADEMICS, ACADEMICS! I’m talking to all you freshmen out there! With how competitive things are getting across the board with college acceptance, admission standards are higher than ever and are continuing to stiffen even more. Sometimes coaches have some wiggle room, but more and more college admissions offices are demanding that athletes make the cut prior to stepping foot on campus. In many cases a "C" on a report card, even if it’s from your freshman year, is a big no-no. On top of stricter standards, recruiting is occurring much sooner these days so your freshmen transcripts may be what coaches are depending on when they’re deciding if you can hack it academically at their school. Good grades often signify maturity, responsibility, hard work and attention to detail — all qualities that coaches are looking for in their student-athletes.

Last of all, here's a little analogy that may help as you try to understand and navigate this process. I’ve often said that recruiting is a bit like dating. There are times when either party (college coach or student-athlete) really put themselves out there. There are times when you’re really feeling the love and times when you’re getting all kinds of weird signals… or no signals at all. Here are a couple things to keep in mind. First, recruiting is just one job on the list of a coach’s many responsibilities. Yes, it’s a big part of their job, but they’re also trying to manage 30 players, develop talent, build a solid lacrosse program, scout other teams, watch film, fundraise and keep on top of academics. It’s a HUGE job. With that said, it’s important to understand that almost no college coaches are responding to every email they receive. They receive hundreds and hundreds of emails — especially during tournament months. Also, they are most likely spending the majority of their recruiting time on the recruits they are very interested in. So, if you aren’t getting anything back, it might be time to move on and take a look at another school. If you’re set on that particular school, it may be helpful to ask your club coach to contact the coach to see if they’re interested. If they are not, you have two options: move on to another school or apply and try to get in on your own and ask if they will take walk-ons.

As you can see there is a lot more to getting recruited than playing on a good club team, scoring goals, making saves and getting ground balls. Make sure you’re taking care of life outside of lacrosse; it’s as important as your on-field value. And, remember to read the signals as this can save you a lot of time and confusion.

Excellent advice on recruiting from former Tewaaraton winner, Katie Chrest Erbe - and not just for lacrosse:

So you want to play lacrosse in college? Well, I’m sure you’re already familiar with most of the fundamentals of recruiting: join a club team, attend camps of the schools you’re interested in, compile an academic and athletic resume, email college coaches and keep them abreast on where you’ll be playing and when. These are all important parts of the recruiting process, but I wanted to bring attention to a few other, less talked about aspects that are actually a huge deal.

First, it’s extremely important to honestly assess which schools and which level of lacrosse is the best fit for you or your daughter. Maryland, UNC, Northwestern bring in about 8-12 girls per year. So while lacrosse is certainly a sport with tons of opportunity, the sport has gotten much more competitive and the spots at those top schools and programs are more limited than ever. Those programs are looking for the cream of the crop, a chosen few. There are an incredible number of opportunities out there beyond the top 20 Division I schools. Now that I’m in the Midwest, I’ve begun to realize how many Division II and III programs exist that are dying for players. Keep in mind that, for the most part, lacrosse ends after college, so the education piece of your experience truly is the most important. Don’t get caught up in the hoopla of where everyone else is going. Do what’s best for you.

Second, student athletes MUST lead their own recruiting process. There are a few things that cause sirens and alarms to go off for a college coach and turn them off to a kid, and a parent who is working harder than their child to get recruited makes that short list. Once a student-athlete arrives on campus, a multitude of responsibilities are heaped onto their lap. Being a good student, attending study hall hours, turning in assignments on time, managing time wisely, showing up to practice on time with all the correct gear and equipment, being socially responsible, hosting recruits… the list goes on and on. Much of the recruiting process for a coach is feeling out a student-athlete to see if they are capable of shouldering these responsibilities. If a recruit isn’t the one taking initiative in their recruiting process, it’s going to be hard for the coach to believe she will have the life skills and wherewithal to be a reliable member of their team. The student-athlete will be the one attending school, dealing with the coach, etc. once she gets to school, so she needs to be the one doing the work in her recruiting process.

Going back to the sirens and alarms and red flags… this brings me to my next point: making good decisions off the field. Whether it’s at a tournament between games, on your weekends with friends, on a recruiting trip or on Twitter, social responsibility is absolutely essential. We are in a day and age where a 140-character post to social media by a teenager can cost a grown adult their entire career and livelihood. Many coaches have spent decades working their way into the job in which they now hold. This is why many coaches are incredibly cautious about recruits whose decisions surrounding their social lives and their social media usage appear risky. Coaches are finding more and more that taking a risk with a player whose social media is questionable just isn’t worth it. Be smart, think before you post, and if you wouldn’t hold the picture up in a personal meeting with the coach (or your parent for that matter) then don’t post it!

Next, ACADEMICS, ACADEMICS, ACADEMICS! I’m talking to all you freshmen out there! With how competitive things are getting across the board with college acceptance, admission standards are higher than ever and are continuing to stiffen even more. Sometimes coaches have some wiggle room, but more and more college admissions offices are demanding that athletes make the cut prior to stepping foot on campus. In many cases a "C" on a report card, even if it’s from your freshman year, is a big no-no. On top of stricter standards, recruiting is occurring much sooner these days so your freshmen transcripts may be what coaches are depending on when they’re deciding if you can hack it academically at their school. Good grades often signify maturity, responsibility, hard work and attention to detail — all qualities that coaches are looking for in their student-athletes.

Last of all, here's a little analogy that may help as you try to understand and navigate this process. I’ve often said that recruiting is a bit like dating. There are times when either party (college coach or student-athlete) really put themselves out there. There are times when you’re really feeling the love and times when you’re getting all kinds of weird signals… or no signals at all. Here are a couple things to keep in mind. First, recruiting is just one job on the list of a coach’s many responsibilities. Yes, it’s a big part of their job, but they’re also trying to manage 30 players, develop talent, build a solid lacrosse program, scout other teams, watch film, fundraise and keep on top of academics. It’s a HUGE job. With that said, it’s important to understand that almost no college coaches are responding to every email they receive. They receive hundreds and hundreds of emails — especially during tournament months. Also, they are most likely spending the majority of their recruiting time on the recruits they are very interested in. So, if you aren’t getting anything back, it might be time to move on and take a look at another school. If you’re set on that particular school, it may be helpful to ask your club coach to contact the coach to see if they’re interested. If they are not, you have two options: move on to another school or apply and try to get in on your own and ask if they will take walk-ons.

As you can see there is a lot more to getting recruited than playing on a good club team, scoring goals, making saves and getting ground balls. Make sure you’re taking care of life outside of lacrosse; it’s as important as your on-field value. And, remember to read the signals as this can save you a lot of time and confusion.

Did anyone go to that thing in PA last weekend? If you did - how was it? Did a lot of coaches show up?
Or should we just hold on to our money.

Hold on to your money if what you are asking is: Is it worth it from a recruiting point of view?

Yes, I'm wondering if it's worth it. And also wondering if we made a mistake. My daughter applied and was invited then changed her mind because her two BFF's have parents who are a little quicker on the up-take than I am and opted out. We therefore opted out. I was wondering if it was the right decision. From what I have heard so far - it was not impressive and did not meet the hype. Is that true? I don't think we will need to attend one of these next year.