US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Early Recruiting

Mr. defender. You made the stretch to my "mocking of the disabled" which couldn't be further from the truth. Perhaps I left too much room for that to be misinterpreted and I'll own that, but I was simply quoting a line from Tropic Thunder. And, if I remember correctly no one from the liberal media made it an issue and chastised the movie writers for the quip. It seems you are the one digging to highlight that. I offer my apologies. Now, back to the gorilla discussion... And please, don't follow up with some animal rights rant...

Mr. defender. You made the stretch to my "mocking of the disabled" which couldn't be further from the truth. Perhaps I left too much room for that to be misinterpreted and I'll own that, but I was simply quoting a line from Tropic Thunder. And, if I remember correctly no one from the liberal media made it an issue and chastised the movie writers for the quip. It seems you are the one digging to highlight that. I offer my apologies. Now, back to the gorilla discussion... And please, don't follow up with some animal rights rant...

God, some of you people are so frustrated and angry...

Mr. defender. You made the stretch to my "mocking of the disabled" which couldn't be further from the truth. Perhaps I left too much room for that to be misinterpreted and I'll own that, but I was simply quoting a line from Tropic Thunder. And, if I remember correctly no one from the liberal media made it an issue and chastised the movie writers for the quip. It seems you are the one digging to highlight that. I offer my apologies. Now, back to the gorilla discussion... And please, don't follow up with some animal rights rant...

Getting back on topic;
Re:Early Recruiting. Please remind your boys that everything will work out the way it's supposed to... Lots of unnecessary pressure, tends to take away the enjoyment of this unnaturally early process

I asked my kid where he wanted to play. He spouted out Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame without a hesitation. He probably knows nothing about any of these schools, their coaches or their systems. It is crazy to think that he could make a decision like this before he has even left middle school.

This system needs to be fixed, there is NO way any 8th, 9th or even 10th grader knows what they want in college. I know lots of people will jump on here and say "my kid knows, and always wanted to go to ____". And, maybe that is true, but I really don't think they have ANY idea what they are actually signing up for. I don't get it, the kids/parents have all of the power, if people started saying "I'm not ready" this crazy process would slow down. IMO if you haven't had some AP courses, taken your SATs and played a year or two of varsity, you cannot realistically make a decision on a college. I just don't get it. But I am assuming, when you see 8th and 9th graders "committing" it is so the can brag about it, not because it is actually a decision that they feel good about.

This system needs to be fixed, there is NO way any 8th, 9th or even 10th grader knows what they want in college. I know lots of people will jump on here and say "my kid knows, and always wanted to go to ____". And, maybe that is true, but I really don't think they have ANY idea what they are actually signing up for. I don't get it, the kids/parents have all of the power, if people started saying "I'm not ready" this crazy process would slow down. IMO if you haven't had some AP courses, taken your SATs and played a year or two of varsity, you cannot realistically make a decision on a college. I just don't get it. But I am assuming, when you see 8th and 9th graders "committing" it is so the can brag about it, not because it is actually a decision that they feel good about.

This system needs to be fixed, there is NO way any 8th, 9th or even 10th grader knows what they want in college. I know lots of people will jump on here and say "my kid knows, and always wanted to go to ____". And, maybe that is true, but I really don't think they have ANY idea what they are actually signing up for. I don't get it, the kids/parents have all of the power, if people started saying "I'm not ready" this crazy process would slow down. IMO if you haven't had some AP courses, taken your SATs and played a year or two of varsity, you cannot realistically make a decision on a college. I just don't get it. But I am assuming, when you see 8th and 9th graders "committing" it is so the can brag about it, not because it is actually a decision that they feel good about.

Evidence that the system needs correcting?

Well, there is the financial benefit as well. Securing a spot at a good school. Knowing what you have to do to get into the school that the young man committed to. So, yes I agree it's crazy, but if Duke came calling, I'm not saying no.

Of course some of you jealous people out there couldn't bring yourselves to think that maybe Mom and Dad know their son better than anyone else... Some us know our kids capabilities and limitations on the field and in the classroom. We're not asleep at the switch!!! There are kids that work real hard and barely break 90 in regular classes. Others are lucky enough to be able to cruise through AP classes. That being said, picking a school early that is the right fit in the parents eyes might seem like an odd choice to some on the outside. I can tell you from our experience, that was definitely the case. However, we're confident we found a good match for our son, he's excited about the opportunity. Moral of the story: You worry about yours if and when the time comes, and we'll worry about ours.

Of course some of you jealous people out there couldn't bring yourselves to think that maybe Mom and Dad know their son better than anyone else... Some us know our kids capabilities and limitations on the field and in the classroom. We're not asleep at the switch!!! There are kids that work real hard and barely break 90 in regular classes. Others are lucky enough to be able to cruise through AP classes. That being said, picking a school early that is the right fit in the parents eyes might seem like an odd choice to some on the outside. I can tell you from our experience, that was definitely the case. However, we're confident we found a good match for our son, he's excited about the opportunity. Moral of the story: You worry about yours if and when the time comes, and we'll worry about ours.

I just don't understand why any of the negative posters care about the people that chose to commit early.

I have two playing-one committed early and is happy playing at D-1 level (although, at the time 10th grade was early) and one not good enough to be considered still in HS.

younger one loves the game and will play as long as he can whether someone calls or not. Most colleges have club programs that are both fun and competitive without the 30 hour work week associated with D-1.

I say, to each his own-for those who commit in 9th grade, good for them, i hope it works out, for those that choose to wait-or those that never get asked-good luck to you as well.

the people saying the game has been ruined-i say just the opposite. the game is being played every spring weekend and every summer weekend by thousands of kids...ten years ago, unless you were on LI or in MD, it was simply not the case.

so just take a step back and let your kid have fun. when it is no longer fun, try a different sport. The level of competition in soccer or baseball or football or basketball is no different when it comes to club teams selling the dream...some kids get recruited, some don't. not your job or my job to critique the parenting skills of others...

All of what you typed does not mean that early recruiting is good. The NCAA should pass the proposal being considered and no school should be able to speak to a student athlete until they hit their first day of their Jr year - all sports, no exceptions and the whole thing goes away.

The reality is that most kids in 8th or 9th grade "like" a particular school based upon:

1) name recognition
2) uniform colors
3) company that sponsors the athletic gear


They don't give much thought to the school being a good fit based upon other more important factors. If anyone thinks this they are fooling themselves.

What's the harm in letting kids be kids for a little longer and have a level playing field for recruiting that starts Sept 1 of their junior year. If anything this will help late bloomers or those going through puberty a little later. Oh, and the kid might be a bit more mature emotionally.

All of what you typed does not mean that early recruiting is good. The NCAA should pass the proposal being considered and no school should be able to speak to a student athlete until they hit their first day of their Jr year - all sports, no exceptions and the whole thing goes away.

The reality is that most kids in 8th or 9th grade "like" a particular school based upon:

1) name recognition
2) uniform colors
3) company that sponsors the athletic gear


They don't give much thought to the school being a good fit based upon other more important factors. If anyone thinks this they are fooling themselves.

What's the harm in letting kids be kids for a little longer and have a level playing field for recruiting that starts Sept 1 of their junior year. If anything this will help late bloomers or those going through puberty a little later. Oh, and the kid might be a bit more mature emotionally.

Parents are making the choices for 8th graders. 11th and 12th graders are making more of the choices themselves

couldn't agree more and the parents who argue the most to keep the process the same are the parents that like making the decisions and living through their kids!

couldn't agree more and the parents who argue the most to keep the process the same are the parents that like making the decisions and living through their kids!