StickStar Lacrosse has compiled the information below as ...

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StickStar Lacrosse has compiled the following information to help you plan and execute your child’s college recruitment process. This information has been gathered from collegiate and high school coaches, former collegiate players, and our own, StickStar Associates’, recruiting, playing and coaching experiences.

According to Lacrosse Magazine, “There are more lacrosse opportunities to play lacrosse in college than ever before, but learning to find those opportunities is not an easy task. The recruiting timetable and landscape change dramatically every year.” StickStar Lacrosse is committed to keeping up with the changes.

Look at the recruiting time line in the appendix. Determine when you should start, where you are in the current process, and what you ultimately want to achieve. Explore multiple options at various types of colleges and lacrosse programs. (Recruiting Timeline: Appendix A)

Here are some general guidelines:

1. Take Care of Yourself

You are the product. You are selling yourself.

a. Grades are important: Good grades widen your choice of schools. The NCAA and member schools have varying requirements. Your college degree will carry you farther than your lacrosse stick.

b. Available Grade Information: Make sure you have a copy of your current transcript available. Follow up with your high school administrators to verify that your transcripts are sent to the proper coach and university admissions office. Sooner is better.

c. Placement Tests: Perform well on standardized tests. Test early; test often. The best scores count in many instances. Test scores must be made available to college coaches and university admissions offices.

i. Take SAT prep courses and practice tests if you are able. Take the actual tests more than one time.

d. Class Schedules: Players should give college coaches a list of all high school classes taken. University admissions personnel are interested in your grades and caliber of the classes taken (Pre-AP/AP versus Regular). Are you stretching your abilities or resting on your laurels?

e. Film: Players must have film, video or CDs to send coaches. We recommend that you stockpile film, video or CDs in order to produce a highlight tape. Decide which games or halves of games show you at your best. Stats can be important, but college coaches want to see how you perform as part of a team. They want to see you hustle!

f. All Lacrosse and Academic Achievements and Awards: All American, All Conference, All State, Lacrosse letters, Captain, Starter on the Football team, etc. All of these items give a college coach a window into your athletic achievements and ability.

g. Lacrosse Camps: List which lacrosse camps you have attended or will be attending this coming year. What awards have you achieved at these camps? Examples of Awards: Top 205 All-Star Team, Cornell Camp MVP, etc. If you have specific universities you are interested in, attend their lacrosse camps.

h. Coach’s recommendations: Ask for recommendations from your present and past coaches, from opposing coaches, from coaches that have coached you in the summer on select teams. If possible, get the recommendations in writing.

i. Listen to feedback: Do not be afraid to ask the college coaches tough questions. How do they assess your academic and athletic abilities? What is their level of interest? Do you fit in their program? How many recruits do they bring in a year?

2. Proactive Process

Your success in the recruiting process is directly correlated to your work and planning. High school coaches are limited by time and money in showcasing their players. You and your parents must shoulder the responsibility. Here are some suggestions:

a. Lacrosse Resume: Put together a resume that gives a brief history about you. It should be broken into the following portions and should be no longer than a page.

i. Grades / Placement Scores;

ii. Lacrosse Achievements;

iii. Camps you will be attending in the following summer;

iv. Size / Weight / Position / Year;

v. Time in the 40 yard dash;

vi. Games Started / Goals / Assists (only at Varsity Level);

vii. Why you are interested in a particular school?

b. Films, Video, CDs:

i. 15 - 20 minute highlight. Goals, Assists, Riding, Defense, Showing Effort, Physicality and Athleticism must all be evident.

***Note - Coaches do not want to just see a goals or statistics; they want to see invisible plays / hustle plays. ***

ii. A full game film. Is this a game where you were the driving force behind your team, where your best qualities are highlighted?

c. School List:

i. Ask yourself questions.

1. Factors such as school geographical location, your academic strength and degree interest, type of lacrosse program (D1-D3), your athletic and lacrosse ability will eventually play a part in your decision.

2. What are your strengths; what are your weaknesses? What do you really want in terms of academics and athletics?

3. Do you have the desire to put in the time necessary to compete in a Division 1, 2 or 3 college program? How do you feel about lifting weights at 6 AM or running in the snow?

4. Are you willing to live and go to a university outside the state of Texas?

ii. Research schools. Make a list as soon as possible.

1. Your list should include reach schools (your dream schools), middle ground schools (schools that will accept you academically) and safety schools (your parents are alumni; they know the president; etc.).

2. Include both public and private. Sticker price can be different than actual price. Private schools have flexibility in the financial aid area if they want you.

3. The fact that you are from Texas and are willing to go to school outside the state can work to your advantage. Colleges and universities are looking for diversity in their student bodies.

iii. The truth is that not everyone can play lacrosse at Duke, Virginia, North Carolina or Hopkins. Also, full-ride, athletic scholarships are not as plentiful as the player pool.

iv. There are many fine lacrosse programs at various levels where you can play. You want to play, not sit the bench!

d. Initiate Contact:

i. Send a letter, resume, and videos to the schools on your list.

ii. The coach will then send you a package if he is interested in you.

iii. Return the filled-out package. Be thorough. Neatness is a must. You are selling yourself.

iv. You are now in dialogue with the coaches. Ask them if they need more film, recommendations.

v. Ask them for the dates and locations of all the camps they will be attending over the summer. (List of opportunities to stay in contact with college coaches: Appendix B)

e. Other Options:

i. You may receive packets from schools that you have not considered. Do the research to see if these schools match your requirements. If so, put them on your list.

ii. Remember a recruiting letter is a college coach’s sales tool. It does not mean they will accept you into their program or offer you a scholarship.

f. Visit Schools:

i. It is highly advised that you visit the schools that you are seriously considering.

ii. Write down notes during and after the visit. Use your criteria. Rank each school.

iii. You are allowed only five official NCAA visits; use them wisely.

iv. You are allowed as many unofficial visits as you wish to take.

v. If you go to the Northeast or Midwest for a camp, use that opportunity to visit schools.

vi. Because Northeast schools are relatively close together, you have the ability to visit numerous schools in a short amount of time. (School Criteria: Appendix C)

vii. Remember, during an official visit, you are judging the school, the coach, and the program. They are judging you, your behavior, and whether or not you can fit in with their current players. A “no” vote from your host can sink your chances.

3. Types of Camps

There are different types of lacrosse camps. Each can be useful. You can use your camps as an effective way of differentiating yourself from the pack. The four basic types are:

a. School Camps

i. Positive: A school camp may be effective if you are really interested in a certain school. It allows you stay on campus and get a sense of the area. Furthermore, if you do a phenomenal job at the camp, it is likely that the head coach will notice you.

ii. Negative: If you do not create a good “buzz” about yourself while you are there, you may not be recruited.

b. Team Camps

i. Positive: Team camps allow college coaches to look at you first hand. They see you in a team setting. They can evaluate your ability to run a system, play good team defense / offense, ability to communicate / lead.

ii. Negative: If you do not create a good “buzz” about yourself while you are there, you may not be recruited

c. Recruiting Camps

i. General: Attending camps is what coaches do in the summer so be prepared to see a lot of them. Good coaches are always watching, and they do talk to each other.

ii. Positive: Recruiting camps can be an excellent way to be seen. Make sure to contact the college coaches that you wish to see you play. Make sure they will see you.

iii. Negative: There are so many declared recruiting camps; it can be difficult to pick the best one for you. Many times, recommendations from your high school coach must be obtained.

iv. Best Recruiting Camps (based on ) – Jake Reed Blue Chip, Peak 200, Top 205, T99 (only recruiting camp in Texas with 87 coaches present in 2007).

d. Instructional Camps

i. Skill development is their primary purpose.

ii. There are many instructional camps. Discerning which ones truly help with skill development is not easy. There is a difference between having fun with a big name and really learning good fundamentals.

iii. If you go to a camp that a college coach attends and do well, that coach will remember.

iv. Best Regular Summer Camps (based on

4. Prep School

Prep school is a great option if a student athlete needs more time to mature as a student or as an athlete. Although it is not common in Texas, people in the Northeast have sent their children to prep schools for generations.

a. Matriculation: There are two different preps school routes.

i. Route 1: You graduate from high school and attend an additional (Post Graduate or PG) year.

ii. Route 2: You transfer after your junior year in high school. You will repeat your junior year; then, finish out your senior. Many, but not all, prep schools like this route.

a. Academic Advantage

i. High Standards: The schools are prestigious and their standards are high. Academics are important and the class sizes are small. The professors come from the best universities. In a small class, there is nowhere to hide.

ii. Grades / Standardized Testing: A PG year allows you to increase your scores. The Military Academies use these schools to bolster their recruits’ chances of being successful.

iii. Personal: A PG is away from home for the first time. Time management, organization, and being on your own are all taught at a boarding school.

c. Athletic

i. Maturity: You will get bigger (weight room), faster, stronger.

ii. Level of Competition: This is New England Prep School Lacrosse. Most years, these teams have multiple players going to play Division 1. Please look for Avon Old Farms, Loomis Chaffee, Phillips Exeter, Deerfield, Salisbury, & Hotchkiss on to see where their student athletes are going to school. The competition is intense. You are forced to play at a higher level; thus, you become much better.

iii. Going to Prep School is not for everyone, and it is not easy. Neither is playing Division 1 lacrosse. It is however an excellent step to making it to the next level. Previous Texas players include Anthony Crimmins – Coppell – Avon Old Farms; Martin Brooks – Plano East – Avon Old Farms; and Heath Townsend – St. Marks – Hotchkiss.

d. Cultural

i. My Avon experience was tremendous. I lived in Connecticut for a year and made friends from the East Coast and many foreign countries. The Northeast has its own culture and traditions. I learned a great deal about my own abilities and about everything around me.

e. Personal Experience:

i. Both my brother and I went to prep school after we graduated from high school. e benefited in both the academic and athletic areas. Later, we played in Division I college programs (football and lacrosse, respectively). We finished with excellent grade point averages and college degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Finance.

5. College Coaches

Here are some other tips regarding college coaches.

a. Proper Conduct:

i. It is vital to your post high school lacrosse ambitions to conduct yourself with dignity and integrity both on and off the field.

ii. On the Field: Lead by example. Play hard, and keep your mouth shut. Coaches watch your body language and the way you play. They watch whether or not you listen to your coaches, how you react to adversity, and how you carry yourself after the game (regardless of win or loss).

iii. Off the Field: Coaches are looking for players who reflect their school’s and team’s image. Proper speech and proper manners are important. When meeting a collegiate coach, it is necessary to look them in the eye when he is speaking to you. Dress the part. Tuck your shirt in, and comb your hair. Give a firm handshake.

iv. You are representing yourself, your parents, your program, and Texas.

a. Coaches Talk: College coaches talk to their peers. If you behave poorly at a summer camp or you lie, they will black list you.

b. Returning Coaches’ Calls: If a college coach calls you, return the favor and call him back. Do not limit your opportunities early in the game. If you do not show interest back, you have just limited your opportunities by one. If he tells his friend who is also a college coach, then you have limited your opportunities by 2.

c. Turning up the Heat: Recruiting is intense. College coaches are good recruiters and good salesmen. They are trying to lock up the best players to give themselves the best chance of winning. At some point, if they want you, they will ask for a commitment. Consult your parents, your program coach, and your StickStar coach should you need advice (which you will). You and your family will make the decision. Be ready to give the coach an answer.

Should you have ANY further questions, do not hesitate to call StickStar Lacrosse at 972-898-4398. It is our wholehearted intent to help as much as possible in making the recruitment process as understandable and as successful for you as possible! Good luck! The recruiting process and the university experience is a great adventure.

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Recruiting Timeline

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Appendix B: Opportunities to Stay in Contact with College Coaches

There is a fine line between staying in contact with coaches and annoying them. Timing of your questions / emails is crucial. The following contact opportunities should be spaced out.

1. Supply your test scores (more than once, if necessary);

2. Supply lax resume and film;

3. Ask which camps the coaches will attend during the summer;

4. Inform the coaches which camps you will attend.

5. Inform the coach of your upcoming spring game schedule;

6. Inform the coach of you All-Star or All-State games;

7. Ask the coach if he needs additional information or recommendations?

Appendix C: School Criteria

Categories to help you judge a school can include:

1. Can you play at the school?

2. If you can play at the school, will it be as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior?

3. Coaches do not always play you at the position you played in high school. It is

necessary to understand their true intentions.

4. How many recruits does the coach bring in each year?

5. Do you like the coach and the players that you have met at the school?

6. Where is the school located?

7. Are you comfortable with a city school or a school located in a small town?

8. What is the culture at the school?

9. What is the size of the school?

10. What is the academic ranking of the school?

11. Does the school have the area of study or major that you desire?

12. If you are interested in graduate school, will graduation from this school help you?

13. Do you have friends or acquaintances at the school? What is their impression of the

school’s academics, athletics and culture?

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Freshman Year: The best thing you can do as a freshman is make varsity. If you make varsity your freshman year, you get accustomed to playing the game at the faster pace. This means that there is a greater chance that you might get noticed in your sophomore year.

Sophomore Season: The sophomore year is rapidly becoming the most important recruiting year. The top tier Division 1 recruits start to separate themselves from the pack at this time. If you can start on your team and begin to make an impact on your team during this season, then you are setting yourself up to be recruited early.

Sophomore summer: Top level recruits get noticed in their sophomore summers and locked in during their junior year. If you can get into recruiting camps and feel confident in your skills, then you should be at them this summer. If this does not happen to you, do not worry as some people mature later or get into the recruiting process later.

Junior Season: Many players who wish to get recruited will start to make their varsity impact their junior year. It is necessary to have a strong junior year leading into your junior summer.

Junior summer: This is still when a majority of players find their colleges. In this summer, it is necessary to get to recruiting camps and be on Select Teams. You must get noticed. All Texas players who want to get noticed should make T99 their first stop as this will act as some sort of gauge for the remainder of their summer. You will know what some coaches think of you and where you stack up against the best competition in Texas.

Senior Season: If you are on the normal plan, your recruiting should be done this fall or possibly earlier. However, if you have decided to go to prep school, this is when you should be applying, visiting, and interviewing. Start in early September to be on point.

Senior summer: Not many players will have recruiting senior summers unless they are headed for a PG year. If you are headed for a PG year, then you will be 1 or 2 years older / more experienced / and further in your development at all of your recruiting events. GOOD LUCK.

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