BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums PENNSYLVANIA LACROSSE PENNSYLVANIA FORUM Main Forum Philadelphia & Vicinity

TS will take over and drive it into the ground like he’s done everywhere else.

I'm not a Malvern person, but really? Didn't they lose 5-4 to Haverford School? I wouldn't say they stink, you obviously have an ax to grind with Malvern.

I had the exact same reaction. Both not being an MP person and also thinking that a 1 goal loss to THS is a pretty solid performance by what has to be a team that doesn't' "stink".

Lost to Delbarton, Seton Hall and St. Sebastian’s, I doubt anyone at Malvern is happy with those results.

Malvern is good but I think Haverford and EA are better. EA started season with guys on IR but those players are nowback and team is clicking. Haverford and EA play today - should be interesting.
Another Interac thought - does McKinney stay at GA if he goes 0-5 in league again?

For the record, Malvern went 16-5 for the season, beat EA twice, and just won their second straight InterAc conference title over Haverford. Props to Haverford in a really hard fought double OT final game that either team could have won. Impressive season and effort put in by both teams.

Agreed, MP is the best team in Philly this year and they have a ton of jrs and sophs returning...its not how you start, its how you finish

Seems so odd to me, that Sons 2020 has all kinds of great things happening, but that TD isn't publicizing any of it? The have a kid going Ivy for football (no small feat), a bunch of kids made UA and lots of great write ups! I can't imagine why no press is being given? I guess when it isn't his "son" it doesn't matter?!

I thought we agreed to be nice . TD grew up, now you should too .

TD didn’t grow up, he is the same guy. He only ever cares about one kid. I do feel sorry for him, it has been a really rough year.

Academy of the New Church? How are they fielding such a competitive team at such a small school? Thoughts?

The recruit heavily

Anybody involved with the Brotherly Love Academy program? How is this different than the other teams at BL? or are they one in the same?

It costs more. And as for the "or are they one in the same?" question that legitimately depends on the age group you're asking about. At this point I think that the 23-25 BLA teams are really similar rosters to the 23-25 BL teams. According to the BLA organizers you get regular training times with some really impressive coaches which is clearly a plus. According to parents I've spoken with at multiple age levels who were involved with BLA this year, those really impressive coaches are NOT regular coaches of the BLA teams at tournaments. The regular BL coaches end up coaching the BLA teams in tournaments.

So if you're looking for your son to get extra training it MAY be of value. But if you're expecting those coaches to actually be involved with your son when it counts (during actual gameplay), that more than likely won't happen. And before any BL/BLA loyalists try to say I'm lying I have been at multiple tournaments this summer of multiple ages that BLA teams were at and saw the regular BL coaches with those teams. That's just facts.

I think this is a pretty fair description. For the 23s, the line between BLA and BL Zeus was pretty blurry - Academy kids were called in to play for Zeus.

Pros of the program:
- The training really is quite good. If I could list this 10 times, I would, because the training really is excellent.
- More swag
- More opportunities to practice at a high level with other good players
- Good starting point if you want to join a Brotherly Love team

Cons of the program:
- Advertised as not conflicting with regular club team practices and tournaments, but.....
- Tournaments attended were not "elite" but rather the same tournaments other local club teams attend. But if you are a fan of winning t-shirts, that's a pro not a con.
- Cost. It's expensive, especially if you can't make all the practices.

If the cost isn't an issue for you, I believe it is worth it for the training. But you have to be ok with the eventual schedule conflicts that will inevitably arise.

It’s the same as Dukes Nationals, Elite tournaments don’t exist that don’t conflict, so you’ll play basic tournaments with regular club teams. The coaches they advertise aren’t involved to the level you would expect for the money. Find a club that is competitive and play with them, unless you want to play for BL because this is basically a money making recruiting hammerhead for them.

Big difference between Duke's Nationals and Academy is that Academy's training is real and it's great. Duke's Nationals gave up on good mini camps and training a long time ago.

No difference, both trainings are good. You can find the same great training at clinics that are cheaper and you don’t have to pay into a National Team. Complete waste of time and money.

As someone who has done both programs, I couldn't disagree with your statement more. Academy's training has been fantastic. Duke's stopped having good positional training ages ago.

Is this the beginning of the end to brotherly love? 2022 folds into Rising Sons and takes brotherly loves prized coaches Urso and Mueller with them?

I thought Brotherly Love didn't have a good enough turnout last year to make a 2022 high school team. I assume Urso's son went to Sons which would explain that move. Mueller seems to be coaching a lot of teams these days.

Anyone have any information on Rising Sons or NXT for 2026?

Not competitive

Does that really matter? For a rising 6th grader, shouldn't you be looking for the program that provides the best development for your son?

If you are looking to continue to play more township level lacrosse with a massive expense sure. If you are looking to have them play with better players and at a higher level of competition no.

Serious question - why does NXT get put down so much? They seem very professional with a lot of big name coaches and a great social media presence. Plus no daddy ball. I know some of the teams aren't great but they appear to have a pretty consistent roster year over year so clearly the families see value and I have to imagine the kids are getting good coaching and are improving. Why the hate?

NXT has highly credentialed coaching but the teams dont get respect because it seems like they're locked into so many of the NXT-run tournaments where the competition isn't very good (ie Meltdown, NXT Cup, PA Invitational, Blue Hen, MVP Towson, etc). No doubt NXT is a marketing machine but when there are no college copaches on the sidelines a lot of the better players leave for Mesa, HHH, RS, or Dukes hoping for more exposure. My $.02

Thank you for this comment. Relatively new to the club team scene and was hoping to get some honest opinions on clubs for this age group. Not much out there for newbies. What are the best clubs for this age group?

Mesa and Freedom most competitive with good coaching in the area

Have you even read through these comments? Every club gets put down here. Hurt feelings and different agendas all over the place.

Coaching at NXT consists of DIII college players just out of college and/or some DIII coaches from local colleges. Their "AA" teams are really "A" level and "A" level are "B". They don't play in any tournaments with real competition -- from Philly, MD or Long Island. Don't believe the hype -- that is all it is.

To be fair, their 2024 team is up there with BL for top team in Philly area and they played in the NLF this summer.

But the 24 team wasn't home grown. They were a gift from Sons.

That was 4 years ago when the initial Sons break up happened. Holding onto all of those kids going into your 5th season seems pretty home grown to me. NXT is a very capable team with great coaching. Definitely in the mix for top team in Philly.

1 good 2024 team ( now) but who knows what it will turn into... all the rest B+ or worse.

Didn’t 2024 BL beat Freedom? Watched both teams play before and would not agree with that statement. Freedom not the same caliber.

Is it possible to get a tryout for 2026 Tigers xxvi?

Brotherly Love Academy beat Freedom in Maryland last November. Brotherly Love Zeus did not play Freedom at all this past season.

Not surprising that an all start team with players from multiple clubs can beat a regular club team.

I’m sure you can get a tryout...just be careful. Offense runs though a player who’s dad coaches there...that always ends well!

Maybe at the 24 level (and certainly helped by having one 24 dad who is a former D1 coach) but certainly not at any other level.