BIG RECRUITING PROBLEM

[molax19]

Hey, I'm new to the forums but I have this really big problem. I'm a junior in high school and am looking to get recruited for a low division 1 school (out of top 20 range). I've been playing for almost 4 years, and have played club (Md Stars, Champions of Tomorrow, and currently Ultimate Playher).
The issue is my high school coach. She's pretty old fashioned about girl's lax(she once took me out of a game for doing a one handed dodge). She doesn't take stats and I've tried running off-season programs for the team, but no one wants to commit, and I never get her support. How am I supposed to get recruited without any stats, and when there's a very low chance of me being captain as an upperclassman due to some my relationship with my coach? She hasn't written anything to any colleges for me, even though we've discussed it. The players have filed complaints and held a meeting about ehr but there's no getting around it. WHAT CAN I DO??
Thanks

[zak]

That used to be our basketball coach, it was all a little before my time but it sounds like pretty much the same. How "no getting around it" is it? Try going to the principle, if that doesnt work the superintendent, and if that doesnt work I would even contact your local representative. (in the house not senate) They can really get thigns done, or know the people that can. The way I've dealt with people like that is by going to the next level up until I get what I want :thumbsup:

[lilaxgurl23]

For your stats, see if someone like parents can take stats, thats how my team does it, we have a form with everyone on it and different catigories to put stats in, so it's pretty simple. As for getting recruited, it's not all your high school games. The other things, liek go to the college camps you might want to go to, and those teams you are on are good too. Also, talk to the coach of the school you are interested in when you go visit a college. Just work your butt off and try to tell your coach what you are looking for.

[Frodo Lives]

molax19 - I believe that the problem with your high school coach and your goal of being recruited are two separate issues. As far as recruiting, girls are primarily seen by coaches during the summer recruiting tournaments in which club teams participate. I don't think the college coaches have the time or inclination to know about your high school stats. They make their decisions primarily from what they see on the field during the summer and fall tournaments. This is what I would do if you have not already done so -- start contacting coaches of schools in which you are interested by e mail to let them know you are interested (don’t be disheartened if the coach does not write or call back often – I believe they are limited to one call per week, but I believe you can contact them as often as you like; check with the NCAA rules to make sure); before the tournaments begin this spring and summer, let the coaches know of your playing schedule so that they can see you play; make a videotape of your play -- contrary to popular practice, I prefer a "highlight" tape -- not one with a series of goals, but one which shows a variety of skills - speed, stick work, vision, passing, defense, scoring, etc. I would recommend that this tape be professionally edited – the coaches will only have time to look at the tape briefly -- make sure that the tape is no longer than 10-15 minutes and put the good stuff first to catch the coach's eye. Send the tape out with a letter to as many coaches as you can. One other thing -- perhaps you should try and attend skills camps where the coaches of the schools in which you are interested will be attending or teaching. I would ask them directly - will you be attending any camps this summer? Good luck - one final word - choose a school for the best academic fit, and fit in other ways. Don’t choose a school solely on the basis of lacrosse.

[CTLaxer]

Make a tape of yourself, as frodo said, don't make it goal after goal after goal. That shows NOTHING to a coach that they don't see every day. Make the tape of good AND bad aspects of your game. Show some goals, some takeaways, some assists, that sort of thing but also show a part where perhaps you made a bad pass and gave the ball up but hustled back to play defense and not let your man get away from you. Coaches are more concerned with athletic ability and coachability (whether they can work with you or not and bring you into their system) Also, along with the tape, list any sports honors you've gotten, camps, etc etc the usual stuff. You also might want to send in a list of just stuff you like to do, things you've done, places you've traveled. Schools are more and more being pressured to disversify their student populations. So universities are looking for students that come from different areas, or are intersted in music, or love community service or whatever else you might be doing. It might help sway any admissions personel or might make you stick out in the coaches mind. As stated previously, if there are schools you want to go to, make it a point to attend their summer camps so the coach can see you and get some face time. You don't have to be a standout player to be remembered. Although it's nice to be able to have the skill to do that, sometimes it doesn't work, but if you're the girl that always wore the '80's pony tail on the side of her head or had funky colored shorts the whole time, you'll stick out and be remembered...then when the coach is watching your tape and looking at your info she'll put a name to a face. Voila.

Anyways, hope that helps.

[Frodo Lives]

molax19 - Good advice from CTLaxer. At beginning of tape, be also sure to introduce yourself (without your goggles) and identify the number you will be wearing in tape or how you otherwise may be identified

[molax19]

Thanks, I'm working on my tape right now and I'm attending 3 tournaments this spring(I went to most of the major summer and fall ones). How many schools would you recommend contacting? I've already emailed a few coaches, but I've only met one so far. I really don't think I could play in the top 20 level, but I would like to play for a big school like BC or Virginia Tech.

[Frodo Lives]

>>Thanks, I'm working on my tape right now and I'm attending 3 tournaments this spring(I went to most of the major summer and fall ones). How many schools would you recommend contacting? I've already emailed a few coaches, but I've only met one so far. I really don't think I could play in the top 20 level, but I would like to play for a big school like BC or Virginia Tech<<

molax19 - I went through this entire process two years ago - marketing a player (an unknown player who did not play in a big time HS program – In truth, I think almost everyone is unknown except the blue chip recruits) to colleges. We barraged almost every D-I and D-III coach with e mails, videotapes, let them know our playing schedule, kept in touch, etc. The player was lucky enough to get a partial scholarship to a great D-I program (usually in or near the top 20). Full scholarship are rare. I heard one coach tell me that no player is worth a full scholarship – not even Jen Adams. You are a rising senior at this point, correct? If you are a rising senior, this summer and fall will be very important seasons for you. If you do not already have a list of college programs and the contact e mail addresses, they can be accessed either through Inside Lacrosse or the other well known lax website. If you are copying and pasting a standard message, make sure you personalize the greeting. Just don’t say Dear Coach, or To Whom it may Concern. Address the coach by her name in your e mail and in the letter that may accompany your videotape. With so many letters and e mails, make certain that you get the coach’s name correct in the message or the letter accompanying the videotape. Typically, the assistant coaches handle the recruiting aspects, but I would initially send a message to the head coach.

You say that you will be attending three tournaments this spring. Your club team should be in the National Draw in June. That tournament is a must. The All Star Express is a must as well. Tell the coaches what team you are playing for, what your playing schedule is, what your number is. They will take a look at you if you are able to identify yourself and show some interest in them ahead of time. The schedules will often change just before or on the day of the tournament. The coaches are aware of this. Therefore it is important to tell them your club team and number. Timing is important too. I am not certain if now is a good time to start contacting coaches – they are in practice getting ready for the start of the season. You may want to contact them now, but then perhaps stop once the season starts. When the season is over, contact them again. Between the end of the season and this fall is when your marketing efforts should be concentrated. You should also attend the All Star Express. The rising seniors will get all of the attention so it is important that you be seen at this tournament. If your club team is not already in the All Star Express (I am assuming you are in the east), you should try and make arrangements to play for Team Uno (a team of players unaffiliated with a club). I don’t know, but the Express may already be full for 2005, but there may be openings on Team Uno if your club team is not going to the Express. The other big tournaments are the Washington Showcase, the tournament that used to be in the fall in Downingtown, PA, and others (perhaps CTLaxer can fill in the blanks even though he is located in the west). You probably should sign up as an individual for the Elite 300 held at Loyola College in Baltimore. While it advertises itself as a skills camp, it is in reality a recruiting camp where the majority of time is spent playing games. A lot of coaches attend the Elite 300. Everyone signs up as an individual at the Elite 300.

Don’t be disappointed if the coaches don’t respond to your messages or if they just send you a ‘form” letter indicating their interest. The coaches are playing the numbers game too. They are sending out letters of inquiry to people in the hopes that a few quality recruits will respond. That is what I think you should do – send out as many letters and tapes as possible and see which coaches nibble at the bait. The more letters/messages you send, and the more exposure you receive at the summer recruiting tournaments, the greater the chances are that you will have a larger number of coaches expressing interest in you and the greater choices you will have in which school to attend. It’s a numbers game. Unless you are a superstar, you typically have to go to them rather them coming to you. Women’s lax is growing so rapidly that in some cases there are more programs than players. There are new D-I programs coming into existence all the time – Robert Morris and Oregon, off the top of my head, will start play this year. Miami U will begin in 2006, I believe, and will be part of the ACC along with BC and VA Tech (to whom you earlier alluded)..

Even though there is a tremendous jump between high school ball and college ball, don’t sell yourself short. Many a high school AA has fallen flat on her face in college. Likewise, many an unknown and walk on has excelled in college lax. I heard one coach tell that she sometimes prefers walk-ons. They are more motivated and coachable.

Good luck with the recruiting process. We’d love to hear of developments as they unfold. We’d also be happy to field questions in the future.

[molax19]

Thank you,
You mentioned Robert Morris, which caught my eye because they actually sent me a letter after I attended the Washington Showcase, which surprised me becasue I hadn't even ever heard of them, nor ahve I contacted them. What sort of program do they have (if you know). And also, when you refer to the Loyola 300 camp, is teh Loyola of Baltimore?

[CTLaxer]

Loyola Marymount in california does not have an NCAA team, just WDIA club lacrosse. The reference is to Loyola College of Maryland.

[Frodo Lives]

molax19 - links to Elite 300 (important camp - good to get all the exposure you can) and Robert Morris below. I don't know how to hyperlink - copying and pasting will work.

Elite 300 - http://www.lacrosseconnections.com/elite300thepremiercamp.html

Robert Morris http://www.rmu.edu/OnTheMove/findoutmore.open_page?ipage=61707

I don't have any personal knowledge of Robert Morris. With respect to Elite 300, I don't know if the weekend session or weekday session is better. I believe that Kerri Johnson, head coach of Loyola of Baltimore and possibly Janine Tucker of Hopkins are administrators You may ask her/them which session (weekend or weekday) most coaches will attend, or you may want to attend both sessions. Don't wait too long to sign up. These camps have a way of filling up quickly. We didn't get any letters of inquiry directly from participation in Elite 300. Important camp nonetheless. All or most of our inquiries came from All Star Express and Downingtown participation (I don’t know the name of the important fall tournament that has replaced Downingtown). Videotape generated some coaches' inquiries as well.

[Frodo Lives]

Women's Lacrosse Schedule

Oct 02, 2004 1:00 pm @ Duquesne Round Robin
Oct 03, 2004 @ Lake Erie Shootout
Oct 17, 2004 12:00 pm @ Mountain Madness Tournament
Feb 05, 2005 6:30 pm @ Pittsburgh Winter Tournament
Mar 05, 2005 Spring Break Tournament
Mar 17, 2005 1:00 pm @ Niagara
Mar 18, 2005 4:00 pm @ Canisius University
Mar 20, 2005 12:00 pm @ LeMoyne
Mar 24, 2005 4:00 pm WAGNER*
Mar 26, 2005 2:00 pm MOUNT ST. MARY'S*
Mar 29, 2005 4:00 pm @ St. Francis (Pa.)*
Apr 02, 2005 12:00 pm ST. BONAVENTURE
Apr 08, 2005 6:00 pm @ Long Island*
Apr 10, 2005 1:00 pm @ Monmouth *
Apr 15, 2005 4:00 pm QUINNIPIAC *
Apr 16, 2005 4:00 pm UC-DAVIS
Apr 17, 2005 12:00 pm CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE*
Apr 24, 2005 12:00 pm @ Sacred Heart*

[Frodo Lives]

Conference Overall
Team PR W L T Pct. W L T Pct.
1 Central Connecticut 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
2 Long Island U. 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
3 Monmouth 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
4 Mount Saint Mary's 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
5 Quinnipiac 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
6 Robert Morris 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
7 Sacred Heart 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
8 Saint Francis 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00
9 Wagner 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00

[Frodo Lives]

Head Coach: Katy Phillips

Name Yr. Position Height Hometown / High School (College)
Rachel Cibulas So. D 5-3 Sewickley, Pa. / Quaker Valley (West Virginia)
Evie Cutshaw Fr. M 5-5 Cleveland, Ohio / Magnificat
Pamala DeGuffroy Fr. M 5-5 Irwin, Pa. / Norwin
Aubrey Divito Fr. D 5-4 Clinton, Pa. / Southside
Kelly Dreisch Fr. GK 5-5 Baltimore, Md. / Loch Raven
Madeline Flanagan Fr. M 5-9 Lebanon, N.H. / Lebanon
Lauren Hartsfield Fr. GK 5-2 Cumming, Ga. / South Forsyth
Faith-Rebekkah Ilochi Fr. A 5-5 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ellis School
Valerie Jacobs Fr. D 5-11 Elma, N.Y. / Iroquois Central
Bethany Mahaffey Fr. M 5-6 Edgewater, Md. / Annapolis Area Christian
Kathryn Melanaphy Fr. A 5-5 North Kingston, R.I. / North Kingston
Meredith Milsak Fr. A 5-5 Brighton, Mich. / Brighton
Sara Pelusi Fr. D 5-6 Butler, Pa. / Butler Area
Nicole Runfola Fr. M 5-2 Cumming, Ga / South Forsyth
Brittanny Smith Fr. M 5-6 Owen Sound, Ontario / West Hill Secondary
Meghan Wheeler Fr. D 5-5 Jordan, N.Y. / Jordan-Elbridge
Josephine Zizic Fr. A 5-8 Chicago, Ill. / Culver Educational Foundation

* Denotes letters earned

[Frodo Lives]

molax19 - Why don't you send me a PM. I believe I can steer you towards some resources about Robert Morris and other answers to your initial questions that probably should not be posted on this forum.

[arizona]

Great advice by all!
I would not recommend the Elite 300. It has expanded so rapidly in recent years it should be renamed the Elite 900.
Try camps at the school you are interested in. Contact the coach at your school of interest and ask them which camps they will be working and attend that one. Not all coaches have their own camps but most participate in at least one or two.
You can visit the school at anytime and meet with the coaches. You also can call the coaches but they may not call you back until after July 1. Keep calling until they answer. Mornings are good! Stop by your HS counselor's office during school and make the call.

[Frodo Lives]

molax19 - check your private messages section in upper right hand corner of window. It does not involve exchanging e mails or anything involving a breach of confidentiality or anonymity.