Capital Orange Parents - If you could do it all over again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does KJ still have a strong influence on team placement? Our child is considering SSSA, but the girls are so mean and it’s going to be a stretch financially for us.

Some influence on team selections. What year is your DD? The SSSA talent pipeline is not as good as it once was.

Ha ha ha. Some if the girls at SSSA are mean, one or two really awful per class and it’s literally been that way for decades. That said KJ is still the ultimate coach if girls lax in our area even tho Saints isn’t dominant as it once was.

If an SSSA player is good enough for Blue she will get there, but going to a local A team is always better, especially if HS team is not a powerhouse. How many MCPS players over the years made Capital Blue?

The SSSA talent continues a downward trend and less and less are good enough for Cap Blue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

[Anonymous]

However, Points 1 and 2 impacted ALL club teams yet other DMV teams did significantly better in their recruiting efforts with the 22s than Cap Blue. Hmmmm. Guess Point 3 should be Point 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:However, Points 1 and 2 impacted ALL club teams yet other DMV teams did significantly better in their recruiting efforts with the 22s than Cap Blue. Hmmmm. Guess Point 3 should be Point 1.

Fine with me. I was not ranking those points in order of significance and in fact would agree with you that 3 overall had the biggest impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

Prides’s HS team existed - 22s were its first class. No, I would not have had my DD play for a Baltimore club. She would have still played for Capital but, knowing what we know now, we all would have had a much healthier perspective on the whole college recruiting stuff. It’s hard not to get caught up when you’re in the middle of it but the reality is most of the girls end up at colleges they otherwise never would have attended and barely get any playing time, all while competition for those spots increases as the sport spreads across the country. I think parents have gotten crazy over the amount of time and money they expend on club lacrosse hoping for a D1 spot somewhere. No matter how much their DD may love it. Driving a HS kid from VA to Baltimore for club lacrosse would just be another example, IMO, of how warped this whole thing has become. Sure, there are a few exceptions but not many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:always take the A team. Let your daughter shine. Why play B? You must be truly materialistic to think that's worth it.

But metro, mc elite and yjma aren't A teams. Just because it is the only team the club has, doesn't make it an A level team. Pride and capital B teams are only B by name.

Agreed and good point. Depending on definition, Capital blue is really the only true A team in the area. I would put Pride Black Next and call them a B team. Capital Orange is may be a B too depending. The other area high school age travel teams are C and lower. To me, an A team is someone that can compete and hang with the top Maryland clubs (M&D, Hero's, Skywalkers). Just one person's opinion.

Pride Black does not hang with the Maryland clubs. Im not sure where you got your information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It tougher with parental egos.

This. There are a handful on each team who think they deserve better and won’t stop at any cost to get their DDs moved. Good luck with that.

I don't think they'll hang around until Summer tournaments or tryouts. I have an older CLC DD and the rumor is there will be several Orange 25 and 26 parents who push their DDs to leave for other "better" teams after American Select and varsity teams are announced this year. Sounds like some kids accepted and are hangin' on to use those coach ties. Really sad for girls who didn't make Orange and really wanted to.

Curious as to what would be better after reading these replys...go to M&D or Heros or Skywalkers? You are not making the A team there either. Go to Pride? Go to new Stars program? Just not sure what the alternative is.

Confirmed. At least one cap orange staying to make AS and then hitting the gas to play elsewhere. Hope they get called out. Not fair for girls who would like to play for cap orange.

No CLC Orange player is making AS. Those spots are all locked in. Whoever that parent is, is not thinking clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes

PP, who answered yes.. are you still there or has you DD graduated? I’d say 2025 and 2026 is too early to tell, and Orange is better then the local teams you mentioned.

Ok. Capital Orange is not better than all local teams mentioned (and not mentioned). Lets remember that at the 25 level Cap Orange team lost to YJ Mid-Atlantic which didnt' exist 18 months prior.

Oh Please! The YJMA 25 team got lucky 1 game.
Look at them now. Their A Team is ranked 147 and their B team is ranked 196.
Capital 25 orange is ranked 80.

Don’t even try to compare a low tier club like YJMA to an established proven club like Capital. They are not even close and never will be.

I’m sure they played older girls in the team in order to win. They always pull that

As far as Capital Orange vs. Pride Black, here are my two cents: yes, Pride Black is better, but Capital Orange recruits just as well if not better. Think about it, from my understanding Price 24 has six committees and Capital Orange has eight. A team that is better should be found better at recruiting

CLC Orange 24 has 11 or 12 committed. not 8.

[Anonymous]

Several Capital Orange 2026 players were on the 2026 AS team last year. Haven't seen the list for this year, but I expect there will be a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

How true this still is.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

Prides’s HS team existed - 22s were its first class. No, I would not have had my DD play for a Baltimore club. She would have still played for Capital but, knowing what we know now, we all would have had a much healthier perspective on the whole college recruiting stuff. It’s hard not to get caught up when you’re in the middle of it but the reality is most of the girls end up at colleges they otherwise never would have attended and barely get any playing time, all while competition for those spots increases as the sport spreads across the country. I think parents have gotten crazy over the amount of time and money they expend on club lacrosse hoping for a D1 spot somewhere. No matter how much their DD may love it. Driving a HS kid from VA to Baltimore for club lacrosse would just be another example, IMO, of how warped this whole thing has become. Sure, there are a few exceptions but not many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

How true this still is.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

Prides’s HS team existed - 22s were its first class. No, I would not have had my DD play for a Baltimore club. She would have still played for Capital but, knowing what we know now, we all would have had a much healthier perspective on the whole college recruiting stuff. It’s hard not to get caught up when you’re in the middle of it but the reality is most of the girls end up at colleges they otherwise never would have attended and barely get any playing time, all while competition for those spots increases as the sport spreads across the country. I think parents have gotten crazy over the amount of time and money they expend on club lacrosse hoping for a D1 spot somewhere. No matter how much their DD may love it. Driving a HS kid from VA to Baltimore for club lacrosse would just be another example, IMO, of how warped this whole thing has become. Sure, there are a few exceptions but not many.

How true this still is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes

PP, who answered yes.. are you still there or has you DD graduated? I’d say 2025 and 2026 is too early to tell, and Orange is better then the local teams you mentioned.

I’m curious too. DD is a 27. I’ve heard 25 and 26 have one or two complainers constantly stirring the pot. They should just leave if they aren’t happy (and realize complaining won’t get you moved up), but not sure there are better options locally.

The complainers left (or we not asked back). The team dynamics are better now. One moved to a club 2.5 hours away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

How true this still is.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

Prides’s HS team existed - 22s were its first class. No, I would not have had my DD play for a Baltimore club. She would have still played for Capital but, knowing what we know now, we all would have had a much healthier perspective on the whole college recruiting stuff. It’s hard not to get caught up when you’re in the middle of it but the reality is most of the girls end up at colleges they otherwise never would have attended and barely get any playing time, all while competition for those spots increases as the sport spreads across the country. I think parents have gotten crazy over the amount of time and money they expend on club lacrosse hoping for a D1 spot somewhere. No matter how much their DD may love it. Driving a HS kid from VA to Baltimore for club lacrosse would just be another example, IMO, of how warped this whole thing has become. Sure, there are a few exceptions but not many.

This needs to be a pinned post on this forum. So many truths here. Parents need to step back and re-evaluate priorities as well as where their kid really falls in line with talent. The vultures have capitalized on the parents endless pursuit of FOMO and it will be the biggest hinderance to real growth of the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ +100

Just recall that a few years ago one of the heads of Capital moved his DD to Skywalkers when she didn't make Capital Blue. That should tell you something.

I totally get what you are saying here, and that may have been the key if it was owned and run the same way. However, after that happened, Gussie bought the team, and things have been running very differently since then. In a good way

Not true. Gussie bought the team BEFORE this happened, and she was actively running the club substantially ahead of that. Politics and money are hard in this space. And no accounting for how they are trying to steer the girls to Healthy Baller now that she's an active owner in that operation too.

How true this still is.

You are wrong. Gussie did not own the club when the “22s were trying out (summer before their freshmen year) or when initial coaches for each ‘22 team were chosen. Gussie bought club about mid way thru the ‘22s freshman season, fired coaches and tried to fix what was ultimately unfixable with the ‘22 teams. Facts.

Your “facts” are not accurate. From its inception, CLC was run by a parent board. Gussie did not buy Capital; it was handed to her for free on a silver platter by the parent-run board, in violation of the by-laws. The 2022 coaches did not get fired when Gussie came on the scene at the end of the 22’s freshmen year. They quit and most families were quite upset about it. Gussie was remarkably hands off with the 22s, barely interested in them and not involved in their recruiting. Blue 22 was never very good as a team despite having some strong players; Orange 22 developed into a very strong team under their second head coach. Both teams college recruiting suffered significantly due to (1) Covid shutting down virtually all college camps, clinics and tournaments these girls summer before and entire junior year; (2) their college recruiting also suffered due to college players taking off the year that everything was online and no college sports were being played and the NCAA granting them another year of eligibility; and (3) Capital’s recruiting director was totally unprepared for recruiting to continue despite 1 and 2 and the players, especially the Orange team, suffered the consequences. Signed, Capital 22 parent

P. s. Once she had an ownership interest in Healthy Baller Gussie most definitely tried to get the 22s to go there. Weekly. For a long time.

Question for you. If Covid didn't happen, would you still feel the same way? What would your alternative been instead of playing for Capital? Pride's HS team didn't exist yet so the only other option was a Baltimore team?

Prides’s HS team existed - 22s were its first class. No, I would not have had my DD play for a Baltimore club. She would have still played for Capital but, knowing what we know now, we all would have had a much healthier perspective on the whole college recruiting stuff. It’s hard not to get caught up when you’re in the middle of it but the reality is most of the girls end up at colleges they otherwise never would have attended and barely get any playing time, all while competition for those spots increases as the sport spreads across the country. I think parents have gotten crazy over the amount of time and money they expend on club lacrosse hoping for a D1 spot somewhere. No matter how much their DD may love it. Driving a HS kid from VA to Baltimore for club lacrosse would just be another example, IMO, of how warped this whole thing has become. Sure, there are a few exceptions but not many.

This needs to be a pinned post on this forum. So many truths here. Parents need to step back and re-evaluate priorities as well as where their kid really falls in line with talent. The vultures have capitalized on the parents endless pursuit of FOMO and it will be the biggest hinderance to real growth of the sport.

exactly the point on where the kid really falls in line with talent. going to "play" at a D1 school, when really you're sitting the bench, isn't playing. Especially when they could have gone to have an impact at a smaller school or a d3 school. All to be able to say they were on a d1 team? There is no ROI for this sport.