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

The next 4 or 5 years for HHH/BM will tell the tale of how great this club is. Literally zero pipeline into the high school program for 2026-2029. Can BM get it done for the kids that jump to him for high school? My guess is that BM can get it done if your kid has talent.
Probably would be easier than if he didn’t have to start from zero as these kids enter high school, but the NLF is the ace up the sleeve.

Of course, Dynasties do eventually end. Real talk. It feels like BM is very focused on the Birddogs for a very good reason. Is he going to keep this thing going once the birddogs get recruited? If you are a ‘32 or younger I’d be probably very cautious as all the focus is certainly going to the birddogs (it is the only team with its own qualifying name if you need any addition evidence).

You’d rather your son play for the Duke’s? Daddyball at every middle school age, HS teams are gross. Notice zero Lasalle kids play with them? Theres a reason…
Team Ten has 2 good years, rest not good. Freedom has one good year, Mesa? Yuk, BL is good w Salesianum kids only…so, again, where you going?

I’m not saying BM is a daddyball coach. Just that he has a very vested interest in the success of one particular team in the club. I’m not sure he will be devoting the resources required to ensure all his teams are top level clubs at the NLF year in and year out.

Maybe he will. It is just very clear that the Birddogs are different within the club.

Don't take my word for it. Even the guys at IL know that TT is absolutely stacked at the 2026 class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pZUWburr3M

You are thinking HHH will be back on top with the 2027's? They will be lucky to come in third, behind both Brotherly Love and Team TEN.

My son is an average player and will not play in college. Is it a waste of time if my son is not playing for HHH, Birddogs, Duke's, or Team Ten? I feel silly, I just wanted my son to play a sport, make friends and have fun. After reading this board, it sounds like I dropped the ball.

Not at all. lacrosse is a great sport and there are so many teams in our area. find one that he has friends on, coaches are fun, and he can just go out an play.
The joy of sports is being ruined by dreams of grandeur.

Just because some parents are fool, doesn’t mean you have to be. Enjoy the sidelines w the right people, make sure your son enjoys playing on the field w the right people.
It’s a great sport, enjoy the craziness !

If he is in HS already and is definitely not playing in college, then it probably doesn't really matter which club he is playing for, as long as he is having fun and keeping a stick in his hand, to improve for the HS season. Of course some of these clubs are fairly expensive and are a big commitment, so at some point you will have to figure out if playing club is worth it overall. My oldest played club lacrosse for about 4 years and then decided to stop once we knew D1 lacrosse was not going to be in the plans. It may be better just to save your money and time to put into something else.

Club lacrosse is literally the worst. Everybody is fool. It’s not fun. It’s expensive. Get out now while you can

Thanks for the advice. I talked to my son tonight and told him that he needs to make a choice about his future with lacrosse. Playing club lacrosse is a big expense for our family and it does not sound like there is a future in it. He was pretty upset. Kind of a low point as a parent.

You did, Have him quit, Sounds like it isnt your thing. Son will understand

How old is your son, sir? I think you went about it in all the wrong ways…find a club that meets his skill set. Not playing because there’s no future in it? detest to break it to you, but he has no future in basketball, baseball or football either, statistically speaking.

If this is a low point, I would say you are doing pretty good. Kids are pretty resilient. This will build some character.

Have him play rec or for some cheap club( if there is any in area) .

He can always play D2 or D3 no matter what his skill level is. Not talking about better schools that play or academic, talking about a bunch of D2 and D3 schools that will take anybody that can throw or catch. There is a bunch out there.

Keep his academics up and hopefully around beginning of 12th grade he comes to his senses and realizes that the majority of D1 players are looking for work with a communication degree.

HHH will come in 3rd/4th in recruiting with 2027. Dead last with 2028, 2029, and 2030. I guess we will just be hearing about 2031 on this forum for the next 4-5 years. Sad.

Where will the recruits from 28, 29, 30s come from? Lolol
Most of the kids will leave Freedom, Duke’s and Team Ten for the NLF opportunity, trust me.
ALL ain’t gonna cut it

Weakest comment this board has ever seen

Didn't happen for the 26s or 27s so not sure what you basing this on. And as other boards have shown ALL actually had better facilities and just as many coaches this year. Just lacked social media presence. And TBH the better tournament was the NAL which had all the Top 10 teams there. And who wasn't there?!? That's right HHH. All other NLF teams went but BM stays loyal to NLF tournaments only even if they are the second tier one while everyone else is at NAL. The only good tournament HHH attends is the NLF championship.

Can you recommend a club team for my son in the suburban Philadelphia area that develops non-elite players, has value in terms of the cost, and allows the players to have fun? He is entering HS next year.

NLF not a big deal if you play for one of the Private schools in area that are good. That is what is killing NLF and the fact that they only let teams in non NLF that cannot win.

There are none. Club Lacrosse is for elites. Even tho most players are not elite.

Club lacrosse is a source of money for Director or Directors. All want to make money.

Find a rec team. If none around, Have fun in HS, you dont need club if all you want to be is a regular player. Wall Ball and some fun with stick and you will be fine on any HS team besides the top ones.

Private schools are what’s killing NLF? Lolol
Okay, buddy - NLF has always been loaded w/ private school kids, nice try.
HS is hugely important but NLF gets you the exposure you need “, that’s a fact.

Can someone let me know if there is a club team in the Philadelphia area that only charges $500/year? My son really wants to play but we don't have the funds at the moment. I'd detest to let him down.

If you're a top level recruit, NLF doesn't matter at all. If you're a top level recruit, college coaches will know who you are. The top 2024 recruit from the philly area played for Freedom, a non-NLF team, is now at Duke and was a top 5 recruit by almost all or all recruit rankings coming out of High School. College coaches care about your skills, character and your academic capabilities, not whether or not you played for an NLF club team. Anybody saying otherwise is either a liar or doesn't know what they're talking about.

unfortunately probably only Rec League in your town is under that price. they shoud have programs for K-8th grade.

Yes. He plays rec and is one of the top players in our town. I guess it doesn't cost anything for him to continue to hit the wall at the park down the street from our apartment. How much does a normal club team cost?

That’s great for top level talent - everyone knows why Ben McCarthy got recruited. We alls we BB from Springfield going to MD.
But for the next tier and the tier after, NLF does matter. You can’t point to a few beasts and say “see told you so”

Besides the rare occasional outlier, NLF matters.

The only one it doesnt matter to is the one who cant play on a NLF team. Get better and get on NLF or be left behind, Sorry, that is what it is.

at the middle school and high school levle you are looking $2400 - $3600 plus travel expenses.

Tell that to Team Ten who had 22 commits for the 2025 class.

NLF mattered when it was the only game in town. That is changing and kids are being seen outside the NLF now. When it first started the Top Teams joined for obvious reasons making it the best for recruiting and top talent. Now that the NLF is starting block certain teams you will start seeing the ALL compete and any NAL event has all the top 10-20 teams at an age group. The club team matters more than the "league". Get on a better club team in your area and you will be recruited don't worry about the league.
And my son was on an NLF team and chose to leave for a better non-NLF team.

Besides the rare occasional outlier, NLF matters.

The only one it doesnt matter to is the one who cant play on a NLF team. Get better and get on NLF or be left behind, Sorry, that is what it is.[/quote]

You really think if you play for a non NLF team, you can't get recruited to a mid tier D1 school, a D2 school or a D3 school as a non top tier player?

Or be in NLF and do not play against best teams in NLF tourney's because NLF will not let them in their tourney's. Team Ten 26's beat all NLF Teams and Team Ten 27 just beat LI Machine 27 this summer along with Leading Edge. Comical yeah NLF is the best. Keep lying to yourselves and your kids.

ALL is crushing 2026 commitments. TT, SweetLax, Mad Dog, 3d NE etc all going Top 20. You can post on a message board or just look for yourself.

If your son is a top player , you may want to reach out to the travel clubs in your area and explain your financial situation. Some of the travel clubs in our area have scholarships. I’m sure they may consider, if he is a good player, who can contribute to their team. Collect some film / video of him playing. Get a letter from his rec. league coach.

You may still need to pay for travel expense, but not the club fees and tournament fees. It really can’t hurt to ask. I hope your son gets a chance to play at the next level! Good Luck! So many “rich kids” take all of it for granted! Many don’t even seem like they want to be there.

Momma always said never take advice from an angry woman,Go down to Barbaras nails,Tell them we sent you,You get good price.

I don’t think the NLF is the “end all, be all”, however, I don’t think it’s nothing and I do think they provide opposite kids to get looks. My son gained exposure at the IMG event/showcase they hold (only avail through NLF).
So there is value in it. But, yes, I def agree that it’s not a MUST to get recruited. I will speak for my family and confirm it helped, for whatever that’s worth.

Thank you. This is good advice.

Rambo wins another PLL title then takes Lasalle job, that’s what I’m hearing

He has been coaching in Florida for a private school in Jacksonville. Is he going to be Head Coach