Feedback on VLC Club Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

I have observed that a surprising number of kids who get recruited to play at the college level, either D1 or D3, end up dropping lacrosse at some point in their college careers. One thing about VLC is that it seems to buck the trend in this regard. The old social media guy used to publish weekly stats of the VLC alums playing in college. I was impressed by how many kept up throughout college and even more impressed by how many became starters if not star players for their team.

Yet another sign that VLC is doing something right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have observed that a surprising number of kids who get recruited to play at the college level, either D1 or D3, end up dropping lacrosse at some point in their college careers. One thing about VLC is that it seems to buck the trend in this regard. The old social media guy used to publish weekly stats of the VLC alums playing in college. I was impressed by how many kept up throughout college and even more impressed by how many became starters if not star players for their team.

Yet another sign that VLC is doing something right.

There are some direct reasons for this...I have known Dico, Z and Adam (previous Dir.) for years. My son did not play for any of them, but they were all involved in his recruitment intimately. They all practice what they preach in that after a kid commits, that's when the hard work really begins. If you've ever been to a practice or Skills & Drills session with committed kids in attendance, they do not give them any leeway. Rightfully so too, as the expectations are higher, so the standards raise accordingly. When you look at the past National Champions (UVA, Yale, MD, UNC, Duke, etc.) you'll notice all of them have VLC players. I don't know the data, but it would be interesting to see if any other club can claim that.

Enjoy Fall Ball!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have observed that a surprising number of kids who get recruited to play at the college level, either D1 or D3, end up dropping lacrosse at some point in their college careers. One thing about VLC is that it seems to buck the trend in this regard. The old social media guy used to publish weekly stats of the VLC alums playing in college. I was impressed by how many kept up throughout college and even more impressed by how many became starters if not star players for their team.

Yet another sign that VLC is doing something right.

There are some direct reasons for this...I have known Dico, Z and Adam (previous Dir.) for years. My son did not play for any of them, but they were all involved in his recruitment intimately. They all practice what they preach in that after a kid commits, that's when the hard work really begins. If you've ever been to a practice or Skills & Drills session with committed kids in attendance, they do not give them any leeway. Rightfully so too, as the expectations are higher, so the standards raise accordingly. When you look at the past National Champions (UVA, Yale, MD, UNC, Duke, etc.) you'll notice all of them have VLC players. I don't know the data, but it would be interesting to see if any other club can claim that.

Enjoy Fall Ball!!!

Wonderful that you give them money and then sing their praises, who would not justify the investments that they themselves make? What would be nice to hear from insiders is where the club as a whole or individual teams need to improve. I refuse to believe that VLC does not have room for improvement in many areas. (I am not picking on VLC, as all clubs can and should improve in some way. If you are willing to say how great they are, can you be objective and tell us where they do fall short too?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have observed that a surprising number of kids who get recruited to play at the college level, either D1 or D3, end up dropping lacrosse at some point in their college careers. One thing about VLC is that it seems to buck the trend in this regard. The old social media guy used to publish weekly stats of the VLC alums playing in college. I was impressed by how many kept up throughout college and even more impressed by how many became starters if not star players for their team.

Yet another sign that VLC is doing something right.

There are some direct reasons for this...I have known Dico, Z and Adam (previous Dir.) for years. My son did not play for any of them, but they were all involved in his recruitment intimately. They all practice what they preach in that after a kid commits, that's when the hard work really begins. If you've ever been to a practice or Skills & Drills session with committed kids in attendance, they do not give them any leeway. Rightfully so too, as the expectations are higher, so the standards raise accordingly. When you look at the past National Champions (UVA, Yale, MD, UNC, Duke, etc.) you'll notice all of them have VLC players. I don't know the data, but it would be interesting to see if any other club can claim that.

Enjoy Fall Ball!!!

Wonderful that you give them money and then sing their praises, who would not justify the investments that they themselves make? What would be nice to hear from insiders is where the club as a whole or individual teams need to improve. I refuse to believe that VLC does not have room for improvement in many areas. (I am not picking on VLC, as all clubs can and should improve in some way. If you are willing to say how great they are, can you be objective and tell us where they do fall short too?)

I have been with program a couple of years. From what I can tell the program is on par or better then the other popular travel programs (Madlax, DCE, NL). I think the biggest issue I can see is that the teams need more depth. The starters on VLC are top players in the DMV and teams would improve with deeper benches. I guess potential recruits could be intimidated thinking they are not good enough or would see less playing time, i don’t know? But if you are looking for issues with VLC I don’t see anything that requires wholesale change. (Price, coaching, practice, quality tournaments is all consistent with other big programs).

[Anonymous]

NL and DCE are convincing more and more kids from VA to cross the river. Most are private school kids. This trend will only continue particularly with the explosive development of NL into a nationally recognized program.

I love VLC. Not money grabbers, all around good dudes who care about the game and the boys. But they need to more aggressively recruit into their programs NOVA public school kids if they want to continue to compete with the others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NL and DCE are convincing more and more kids from VA to cross the river. Most are private school kids. This trend will only continue particularly with the explosive development of NL into a nationally recognized program.

I love VLC. Not money grabbers, all around good dudes who care about the game and the boys. But they need to more aggressively recruit into their programs NOVA public school kids if they want to continue to compete with the others.

Not sure if heard the news but they are going to start a massive construction project on the 495 bridge/lanes to MD which will take years to complete. I don’t think you will convince many people to spend more time trying to get to practice then actual practice.

[Anonymous]

luckily DeMatha isn't dependant on that project and projected congestion.

NL can recruit against that traffice to DCE fields, and throw in the bait of spending time at MGM to wn back club fees and more.

I may have just been convinced to leave VLC. Thanks a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have observed that a surprising number of kids who get recruited to play at the college level, either D1 or D3, end up dropping lacrosse at some point in their college careers. One thing about VLC is that it seems to buck the trend in this regard. The old social media guy used to publish weekly stats of the VLC alums playing in college. I was impressed by how many kept up throughout college and even more impressed by how many became starters if not star players for their team.

Yet another sign that VLC is doing something right.

There are some direct reasons for this...I have known Dico, Z and Adam (previous Dir.) for years. My son did not play for any of them, but they were all involved in his recruitment intimately. They all practice what they preach in that after a kid commits, that's when the hard work really begins. If you've ever been to a practice or Skills & Drills session with committed kids in attendance, they do not give them any leeway. Rightfully so too, as the expectations are higher, so the standards raise accordingly. When you look at the past National Champions (UVA, Yale, MD, UNC, Duke, etc.) you'll notice all of them have VLC players. I don't know the data, but it would be interesting to see if any other club can claim that.

Enjoy Fall Ball!!!

Wonderful that you give them money and then sing their praises, who would not justify the investments that they themselves make? What would be nice to hear from insiders is where the club as a whole or individual teams need to improve. I refuse to believe that VLC does not have room for improvement in many areas. (I am not picking on VLC, as all clubs can and should improve in some way. If you are willing to say how great they are, can you be objective and tell us where they do fall short too?)

I have been with program a couple of years. From what I can tell the program is on par or better then the other popular travel programs (Madlax, DCE, NL). I think the biggest issue I can see is that the teams need more depth. The starters on VLC are top players in the DMV and teams would improve with deeper benches. I guess potential recruits could be intimidated thinking they are not good enough or would see less playing time, i don’t know? But if you are looking for issues with VLC I don’t see anything that requires wholesale change. (Price, coaching, practice, quality tournaments is all consistent with other big programs).

I read on this board that the coaching at some of the age levels is subpar and slow to change it. I read your "lack of depth" issue as either-- they only attract a handful of starters and lack the recruiting, or, they are unable to take a "good kid" and make him "great" leading to no depth and back to the coaching being subpar.

[Anonymous]

VLC is what the other posters have said. A good program with devoted and talented coaches with fair fees. Their college placement (sorry don't have the link handy but someone else can post later I'm sure) is as good as it gets even from a national perspective.

The issue with depth is that most of the blue chip players in VA opt for Madlax. It just has more glitz and some still fall for Cab's spell. Now that DC Express and Next Level have reached the same level of play and recognition and the ability to place their players in college programs, fewer MD players will opt to travel to VA for VLC and more VA players will be tempted to cross the river, 495 construction or not.

The solution for VLC is simple. Venture farther out west, Loudon and much beyond. PVI is a feeder to VLC and they've made that move so it's a natural progression. Focus on public school rather than the dwindling private school pool (who are more likely to be enticed to NL or DCE).

VLC is good people. They need to survive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don't understand is why you'll are so emotionally invested in your kids sports. I have a VLC kid and quite honestly I just like showing up for games and seeing .y kid put a few points on the board. Bonus points if he checks someone's stick out of their hand, that earns him an ice cream afterwards.

What is ya'lls end game here? Your own dreams deferred?

I did find the VLC team meeting a few weeks ago amusing. It was all about recruitment. I'm like say what...we're just here for some friends, exercise,, and to keep my kid out of trouble. I have a 529.

Chill Mom, please come back and tells us again how your son scores a few points (goals?) every game and plays up in basketball, but you just by him ice cream and laugh at his teammates’ parents, because they are over invested and not chill like you. You were hilarious and we miss you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VLC is what the other posters have said. A good program with devoted and talented coaches with fair fees. Their college placement (sorry don't have the link handy but someone else can post later I'm sure) is as good as it gets even from a national perspective.

The issue with depth is that most of the blue chip players in VA opt for Madlax. It just has more glitz and some still fall for Cab's spell. Now that DC Express and Next Level have reached the same level of play and recognition and the ability to place their players in college programs, fewer MD players will opt to travel to VA for VLC and more VA players will be tempted to cross the river, 495 construction or not.

The solution for VLC is simple. Venture farther out west, Loudon and much beyond. PVI is a feeder to VLC and they've made that move so it's a natural progression. Focus on public school rather than the dwindling private school pool (who are more likely to be enticed to NL or DCE).

VLC is good people. They need to survive.

Why move to where a lot of Cavs, MadLax, and some other clubs are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VLC is what the other posters have said. A good program with devoted and talented coaches with fair fees. Their college placement (sorry don't have the link handy but someone else can post later I'm sure) is as good as it gets even from a national perspective.

The issue with depth is that most of the blue chip players in VA opt for Madlax. It just has more glitz and some still fall for Cab's spell. Now that DC Express and Next Level have reached the same level of play and recognition and the ability to place their players in college programs, fewer MD players will opt to travel to VA for VLC and more VA players will be tempted to cross the river, 495 construction or not.

The solution for VLC is simple. Venture farther out west, Loudon and much beyond. PVI is a feeder to VLC and they've made that move so it's a natural progression. Focus on public school rather than the dwindling private school pool (who are more likely to be enticed to NL or DCE).

VLC is good people. They need to survive.

Tons of the younger players are Dulles South, most are headed for Independence/Freedom/other publics, and they often practice in Loudoun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VLC is what the other posters have said. A good program with devoted and talented coaches with fair fees. Their college placement (sorry don't have the link handy but someone else can post later I'm sure) is as good as it gets even from a national perspective.

The issue with depth is that most of the blue chip players in VA opt for Madlax. It just has more glitz and some still fall for Cab's spell. Now that DC Express and Next Level have reached the same level of play and recognition and the ability to place their players in college programs, fewer MD players will opt to travel to VA for VLC and more VA players will be tempted to cross the river, 495 construction or not.

The solution for VLC is simple. Venture farther out west, Loudon and much beyond. PVI is a feeder to VLC and they've made that move so it's a natural progression. Focus on public school rather than the dwindling private school pool (who are more likely to be enticed to NL or DCE).

VLC is good people. They need to survive.

Tons of the younger players are Dulles South, most are headed for Independence/Freedom/other publics, and they often practice in Loudoun.

I think Dulles South Lacrosse is the largest rec program in the DMV. Great pipeline for VLC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This trend will only continue particularly with the explosive development of NL into a nationally recognized program.

Doesn't look like the all the teams are exploding onto the national scene
Rank/Team
23 / Next Level Blue (2022)
13 / Next Level Blue (2023)
7 / Next Level Blue (2024)
11 / Next Level Blue (2025)
78 / Next Level (2026)
16 / Next Level Blue (2027)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This trend will only continue particularly with the explosive development of NL into a nationally recognized program.

Doesn't look like the all the teams are exploding onto the national scene
Rank/Team
23 / Next Level Blue (2022)
13 / Next Level Blue (2023)
7 / Next Level Blue (2024)
11 / Next Level Blue (2025)
78 / Next Level (2026)
16 / Next Level Blue (2027)

Considering all the club teams in the US this is pretty solid. How does DCE, VLC and the Cavs stack up?