This is a question and answer page where questions on various lacrosse topics are presented to our Seminole Lacrosse Advisory Council and their responses are posted.
Questions:
1. What advice would you give a kid wanting to play lacrosse in college?
2. What is the most important thing a parent should know about the recruiting process?
Julie Myers, Head Women's Lacrosse Coach, University of Virginia
1. Train your hands and stick…..you can't hit a wall or throw around often enough. Keep it fun and fresh too - work both hands and put it on the move. Playing other sports can help your game sense, agility and give you a chance to thrive in multiple arenas.
2. Recruiting gets faster every year and is different for every player. Visit schools early so that you/your child has an idea of what is important to them in a school and program. (i.e. big/small school, sport atmosphere, city or not, east coast/west coast, North/South, distance from home, etc). Also….Keep in mind that the greatest part of recruiting is admission into a University …do not get caught up on the scholarship money…the scholarships typically aren't as big as what you think!
Dom Starsia, Former Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, University of Virginia USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame
1. Work hard in school, play other sports, work on your stick work everyday
2. Ask questions first
Marc Van Arsdale, Associate Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, Loyola University
1. Take care of school work to provide self with most options on academic side and work on developing self as an athlete (i.e. other sports) as well as a lacrosse player (extra time outside of practice with stick).
2. The most important thing a parent should know is that they/student need to be proactive in the recruiting process. Waiting to see who will be interested and contact you first can leave you behind, especially with the timetable of the recruiting cycle getting earlier with each class.
Rodney Rullman, former player University of Virginia, All-American, Member of the Charlottesville Chapter Hall of Fame
1. Pick a school first where he/she would really want to attend regardless of the lacrosse. Once some schools have been selected as candidates then they can look in to whether or not they may be able to pursue the lacrosse at that those schools. Be very open minded to all level of college play; ie. division I, II, and III. When selecting a place to play, go where you are most wanted, where you can compete for time, and, hopefully be an impact player. Finally, be honest with yourself in your ability relative to the schools in which you have interest.
2. It is very very competitive.
Kevin Corrigan, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, University of Notre Dame
1. Advice…like asking how do you get to Carnegie Hall?…practice. Too many kids just play games today and think that is a substitute for practice. Coaches will find you, the level of your potential college experience will pick you…worry about being a good player first.
2. Parents need to know to ask questions, and ask them again…and realize that the answers could change over time so keep asking them. But also, listen to the answers and let them guide you.
Peggy (Boutilier) Williams, Former player University of Virginia, All-American, NCAA Woman of the Year
1. Times have really changed since I was recruited but some themes remain - coaches do value multi sport athletes despite the movement to play one sport starting at such a young age. If someone wants to play lacrosse in college, chances are they can somewhere - maybe not D1 or D3 however more and more colleges have club teams these days. I would encourage people who want to play lacrosse to still choose a school for the school and not just lacrosse. Injuries do occur and you want to make a decision based on the entire experience.
Lars Tiffany, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, University of Virginia
1. Commit to being great. This does not mean commit only to lacrosse. Play other sports too! But you have to practice and play a lot of lacrosse. Make sure you are able to be seen - a good club program, the right summer camps and tournaments, be sure to have film. Listen to your club coaches - they probably have a good idea of your ability and potential level of play in college.
2. The parent has very little influence. Once the parent has put their son in a good position to be seen (club teams, right camps / clinics, film available), then their child's recruitment is based on his athleticism and skill.... it is up to him. College coaches will watch and make our assessments.
