BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Sky Walkers Lacrosse

SW is a top tier team at 2021 and I agree with you...How in the heck Md United is still getting press is beyond me. They are no longer a relevant team at any age group. They had a few decent seasons a few years ago and that was it. Has-beens.

"still getting press..." Really? Parents blathering about their kids' teams on a forum is press? Dude, seriously?

Bev is nothing more than a business person. She's good at marketing and hyping a mediocre club, and continually suckering gullible parents into giving her money for no results. Her "recruiting director" is a piece of work too. Very self-absorbed bunch.

Is this Mike or Molly?

Having coffee and stumbled on this forum. Quite amusing to read now. I think the SW 21 Blue team may have had a decent Summer. Are they still #2?

Having coffee and stumbled on this forum. Quite amusing to read now. I think the SW 21 Blue team may have had a decent Summer. Are they still #2?

"stumbled". Sure you did.

Having coffee and stumbled on this forum. Quite amusing to read now. I think the SW 21 Blue team may have had a decent Summer. Are they still #2?

In this time of reckoning, where do Mike's creepy hugs at the end of practice fall in the spectrum? Scream at preteen and teen girls for an hour and then make them all come give you a hug.

It's called tough love. If your snowflake cannot handle it - go back to HoCo Flamingos.

SW is the most obnoxious club in the state of Maryland. The girls are encouraged to play dirty and stick hack to players faces. The parents are snobby who cheer out loud when opposing players are injured. All this while their coaches are jumping up and down screaming that life is not fair. Sure they have some competitive teams at some levels, but they usually fall just short. This again causes the parents to show their true nature (see above description). SW are the YJ of the state of Maryland. They are and always will be the runts of the litter. But I give you all credit, you keep trying to hang. That in itself should get you all a participation medal.

It's ok. Just come give Mike a hug and everything will work out just fine. I don't call an old creeper hugging 14 yr old girls after practice tough love. I call it what it is.

SW is the most obnoxious club in the state of Maryland. The girls are encouraged to play dirty and stick hack to players faces. The parents are snobby who cheer out loud when opposing players are injured. All this while their coaches are jumping up and down screaming that life is not fair. Sure they have some competitive teams at some levels, but they usually fall just short. This again causes the parents to show their true nature (see above description). SW are the YJ of the state of Maryland. They are and always will be the runts of the litter. But I give you all credit, you keep trying to hang. That in itself should get you all a participation medal.

Inappropriate?

And gross. I know several girls that were uncomfortable about it. Why wouldn't they be?

And that's why all those girls are with Diamonds now?

Sadly, many of the girls feel that staying on SW was the best way to get an offer from a top school. They put up with the creeper because of this. Putting up with MM's verbal abuse was one thing. The end of practice hugs were something else and I am shocked didn't bother more parents.

and do any of the girls politely decline the hug and, if so, what are the consequences? that is really creepy. as if you didn't already have a reason for not playing for that club. girls and parents tolerating that because of potentially playing lacrosse in college.

MM spends the whole practice yelling at them and telling them how terrible they are. The girls are driven to get his approval. Then at the end he makes them all come give him a hug to let them know that while he verbally abused them for 90 minutes, he loves them and appreciates the work they put in. That's a rough definition of tough love. No teenage girl that is in that situation is going to decline the hug as it is their goal to make the man happy. Sad.

not only does he DEMAND the hugs, then he makes them run the big hill at SP until they pass out. then he asks for another hug.

""""It's interesting to read all of the haters and their comments about a man that has a great deal of passion for the sport and his players. None of you commenting have any clue why he's tough on the girls. Luckily enough, most parents do and actually laugh on the sideline as he yells and screams at their child. I'm a father who has no problem with my daughter giving MM a hug at the end of practice. In this world everybody has choices, so if you have an issue choose to go elsewhere. Based on the negativity I bet your daughter didn't get a choice and was sent packin', hence the negative vitriol. SW does not teach it's girls to be dirty BTW, however it does teach it's girls to be fierce and aggressive. What is wrong with that? Keep in mind that the team you referred to about "swinging sticks" are girls that are clumsy and just learning how to stick check. Give them a break



Interesting indeed. Do tell which team you speak of as "clumsy and just learning how to stick check" There could be more then one team that plays like this? That would be a systemic coaching failure. "Fierce and aggressive" must still be played within the perimeters of the rules. Just because a certain team (SW) can't beat another team EVER, does not mean that the special "fierce and aggressive" SW hacking plan should be implemented. And what is with the coaches screaming and crying that every call against them is not fair? And the parents are just a pitiful cheering when kids get hurt? But now it makes sense...it just "fierce and aggressive" being taught along with your players going through their clumsy stages of life. My bad; the girls at this age will just have to accept loosing their front 2 teeth because of a stick hack to the face, while the SW girls work out an awkward phase in life. So give me a break

Aggressive play is great. I like it. But stop all the crying and feet stomping when said play is returned. And if some of your kids loose teeth or get hurt, just mark it up to "fierce and aggressive" coupled with "clumsy and just learning to stick check". I am certain you would understand.

SW are the YJ of Maryland. Cry, cry, cry...

So do you care to fess up to the team you are referring to as being unjustly criticize for going through their clumsy stage in life?

Typical SWs: its not our fault, not fair, our kids were cheated is why we loose...blah, blah, blah.

C2 mom/dad at it again. your are referring to the 22 blue team, correct?. its not enough that your 22 team beats SW, you and the other C2 parents have to complain about every foul like it should be an automatic red card. C2 parents whine like this against every team they play. SW never has this issue against ANY OTHER TEAM! SW has had some knock, down drag out games against M&D, TLC, Heros, NY teams and PA teams and girls from both team get knocked down and they get back up and keep playing, not roll around on the ground like they were just shot...thats were the tough love part come into play. see you in the spring snowflake.

I’m posting this as an unbiased adult without a dog in the fight. I’m an official of girls lacrosse (Club, HS, NCAA) of 15 years out of The Annapolis area.

The Skywalkers organization, by far, puts out the best athletes and plays the best game of team lacrosse than anyone. Yes teams beat them at times, but typically with the “suzie go to goal” style offense.

Never have I seen any dirty play on their behalf, just gritty hustle and intensity. Yes Their director can be a bit edgy, but has toned it down considerably. I’ve seen a coach or 2 be unprofessional, but rarely.

I’ve seen girls get teeth knocked out before and it’s typically been an accident. I’ve also heard whiney parents, much like the one ripping Skywalkers. If I had a daughter I would want her playing with this great organization more than most.

Great post molly.

SW has really fallen off recently other than the 2021s. So not sure when the last time you actually ref'd a game.

I think that you all are way too caught up on wins and losses to judge a program. I think that SW's, M & D and Hero's are probably pretty even in club level. Maybe M & D beats sky walkers and than hero's beats M & D but they are all close games in general. Your talking about some of the best clubs in the northeast and maybe in the country. All these clubs are going to get your daughter to division 1 schools if they work hard. Actually a majority of clubs in MD are sending recruits to division 1 schools.

I personally have 2 daughters in the SW program 2023 and a 2021 and say overall we are pretty happy. We have had our good coaches and bad coaches for sure. Over the last 4 years I have seen players leave and players come. It's not for everybody.

As for comments about Mike. From the outside looking in Mike can look like a crazy guy sometimes. In reality what he says is usually right on, maybe not put the best way though. I personally thinks he really cares for all the girls in the program. I haven't been exposed to too many coaches and directors that personally call the kids to talk to them about their play and about tryouts. As for the hugs that is Mike. There is nothing creepy about it at all. Just reminds me of a grand father type. He is like 60 some years old so come on. Take it for what it is worth. Both my girls have played high level soccer also and we have left soccer programs because of nasty coaching. I don't see Mike like that at all and both my girls like him a lot. I even just asked them and they both comment that they think he is funny. Hey maybe my kids have a crazy sense of humor. When my kid gets yelled at and told "do you want me to go get a chair for you because that is how fast your running": or " my dead mother runs faster" I don't take it personally. Some parents do. I tell my kid you better run faster next time. You think a college coach is going to do that? Probably not, no they are just going to sit on the bench. If your a helicopter parent meaning every time your kid gets yelled at you need to get involved than SW's is not for you.

The other comments about girls getting run to death is all about your prospective. It's lacrosse which has a lot of running in it, right?? So if you can't handle some hill sprints and Maryland runs than division 1 lacrosse might not be what is best for you or your daughter. Wait till they get to college and are doing sprints up those stadium steps. Again Division 1 training is what they are getting. Not every kid wants to play division 1.

As far as teaching girls to play dirty. Personally have never seen it in the teams my daughters have played for. I have seen aggressive play for sure and some bad checks now and than but that is it. I think parents always thinks it is a bad call or dirty when it is against their team. I have seen mostly the opposite from coaches. Calling out girls making bad checks.

I personally am happy that my girls have the opportunity to play lacrosse at a high level and I think most of these programs are pretty good. If for one minute I thought my kids were not getting the good training I would be gone in a second. Both of my girls are good enough to walk on another high level club team. So we are not afraid to leave if we had too but we have no reason to leave SW's. I also would be happy for my kids to play at a M & D or a Hero's team etc... As long as the training is good and the coaching is good that is what matters. Wins and loses mean nothing to getting these girls recruited. College coaches come to these programs to see these kids because of the programs not because of wins and loses.

Well said.