Early Exposure

[LaxGranny]

It seems to me that more and more younger players are starting to go after early exposure by getting their names and accomplishments into the public eye.

I've been seeing more and more Middle School players showing up on recruiting websites, and recently found this article on google featuring a
14 year old, 'local lacrosse star,' which was published in a local home-town newspaper.

Article about 14 Year Old Lacrosse Player: http://www.puyallup-herald.com/102/story/1968.html


What are your thoughts on the pro's and con's of such 'publicity' efforts for younger players?





Granny

[WKLAX]

link does not work...

[LaxGranny]

thanks for the heads up. link is working now.

[sammyduelist]

I doubt a MS 'star' really counts. Most of the kids haven't really gone through puberty or are just starting. One kid could have just had an early growth spurt, and therefore have a physical advantage. So I highly doubt college coaches will be looking to MS as a real indicator.

[laxlerker]

The exposure your son will benefit from at his age is the level of play he will face. The tournament mentioned in your other post brings in most of the best youth club teams on the east coast. Facing competition like this will make him a better player, but college coaches are not going to watch a U15 game. As someone mentioned, child in 8th grade can be dominant due to early puberty then fade fast as his peers catch up to him in high school. Or the kid just loses interest from "burn out".

If someone is touting "early exposure" to a middle schooler they usually are looking for an easy payday. Too many people are getting caught up in the hype. Be careful.

[laxmaniac101]

wow i wonder if this kid is actually human, he works out with a personal trainer 3 times a week, seriously get a life

[LaxGranny]

i agree with lerker and maniac.

too risky to tout early success as something special by over-exposure in print, etc.

too much pressure on a kid to be perfect at 14 could result in burnout or rebellion.

He should spend more time staying on top of academics and have time to hone his Halo skills and not be forced to workout 3 times a week to hone muscles on a still developing body.

[Defman69]

Dude, if a kid is good enough to get exposure from a college coach as an 8th grader, let them. It will just raise the expectations of the kid as he gets older, and if he lives up to them, good for him, If he dosnt, he is burned out

[akalata]

yea i know. if dude is good, let dude play and let him lift all he wants. thats dedication.

[LaxGranny]

I'm not knocking the kid for working out, if it's his choice.

I was just thinking it would be sad if he was being pressured to do it.


Also, I wanted to discuss the point of media exposure a bit more.

Do opportunities that wouldn't be there otherwise, become available for above average players (but not necessarily stellar) because of hype such as the article cited?

Will the high-school sports reporters choose to write up athletes who've been in the media before versus a new name when they have two virtually the same athletes to consider for their story?

Anotherwords, is getting a little bit famous early on, potentially a way to help one athlete get more chances/invites/opportunities then someone who hasn't been in the public eye?

[lacrosseman192]

I think its more of a newspaper acknowlodging the fact that a 14 year old kid is getting to travel all around the country because of lacrosse which is quite the acomplishment no matter what age you are. I also do not think in anyway that this was meant for recruiting purposes because what college is going to look at what a player did in junior high.

[LaxGranny]

I think its more of a newspaper acknowlodging the fact that a 14 year old kid is getting to travel all around the country because of lacrosse which is quite the acomplishment no matter what age you are. I also do not think in anyway that this was meant for recruiting purposes because what college is going to look at what a player did in junior high.

It is quite an accomplishment, however it's not travelling ALL around the country, just one trip to a National All-Star tourney on the East Coast.

The question I'm still mulling around in my P-Brain is...

"Will this type of early 'media' exposure, help the athlete get more opportunities? And if so, shouldn't all the kids who made that team (my son, for example) attempt to get similar articles published in their own home town news rags?"

Finally, you ask, 'what college is going to look at what a player did in junior high?"

It seems to me that there are a lot of people (on these boards for example), some of whom may have the ears of college coaches, that are constantly seeking out the best High School Freshmen and Sophomores to keep an eye on.

With all of the 'robbing the cradle' going on and early verbal commitments, ...

And when they look at a Sophomore's record, it can't hurt to include a history of success (i.e. Major middle school accomplishments).

I'm not suggesting that the college recruiters will read the articles themselves.

Granny