For those who got recruited to play college lacrosse at the D3 level, was it worth it in the end?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges making money off lacrosse players:

https://www.ibj.com/articles/48452-small-colleges-using-lacrosse-to-attract-monied-students-from-east-coast

Thank you for posting. I know it's an old article, but very interesting. I may do some research and see if this trend has continued in the last 5 years since the article was published.

[Anonymous]

Late 30's dad here, born and raised in NOVA.

I played D3 at a program that was and still is consistently in the top 5 of D3.

I have though about this topic a lot and have given this same advice to many high school students over the last decade through my continued participation in the lacrosse community today.

I have multiple friends / former teammates who are both head and assistant coaches at top D1 & D3 teams. I also personally know almost all of the coaches / owners in the club programs in NOVA/DC today.

In retrospect a small D3 school was the right place for me at the time. I was immature and had no idea what I wanted to do other then play lacrosse when I was a senior in high school.

I was lucky in that I went to play for a program that had a coach who saw his role not to win lacrosse games, but to teach and mature the young men who played for him. He is to this day one of the men I admire most in the world and had a over sized impact on my life and who I am today.

That being said, today things are different.

In the early 2000's I was able through grants and scholarships get tuition down to a level that was almost identical to that of a VA state school, I'm not sure if that is possible today. Also, like the school I attended most D3 schools do not offer the type of degrees that are competitive in today's market. A business degree from Hampton and Sydney isn't going to get you as far as a MIS Degree from VA Tech or JMU in the early stages of your career.

If my son was 18 today and was accepted into JMU, VT or GMU but had his heart set on playing lacrosse in the ODAC I would have to put my foot down and keep him at a in state public for his own good.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Late 30's dad.

So working backwards, if you don't think ODAC is worth it, do you have your 14 year-old play club? And backwards from there, do you have your 10 year-old playing club? Or do you keep them in rec and have a more "balanced" childhood that includes more studying and extra-curricular experiences that will help them get into VT?

[Anonymous]

L30D here -

My kids are both under 5, so thankfully I have a while to think about it.

In a ideal world I would keep them away from the "competitive" club circuit as long as possible, since it'a all basically a scam to line the pockets of both the college and club coaches. However it's much easier for me to say that now then when my kid is 13 and all their friends are playing on the same club team.

If they are enjoying it, you can afford it and it's not negatively affecting other parts of their life then I am all for it. But I would never drive them towards it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks Late 30's dad.

So working backwards, if you don't think ODAC is worth it, do you have your 14 year-old play club? And backwards from there, do you have your 10 year-old playing club? Or do you keep them in rec and have a more "balanced" childhood that includes more studying and extra-curricular experiences that will help them get into VT?

NOT late 30's dad but I have similar experiences and background/perspective. I would add this: No two kids, schools, clubs are the same. Some things to consider, the 14 year old should be a clear choice yes or no for club based on love of the game or lack of, if he is not begging to play club then don't. Fact is it that to excel in HS and even have a chance at VT or JMU club some level of off season lacrosse will be required. There is a correct fit of club lacrosse for time and price commitments that match what you want. Club did not exist when I was a kid but as I was one of the better players I am sure all of us would have played if it existed. The key is choose the club correctly and more money does not = a better club or experience. It may also be better to play a lot on a club like Evergreen, EKLC, or BattleLax than sit on the bench at Madlax and VLC. As far as schools go, an ODAC or CAC school like CNU or W&L are very different schools, ODAC is too broad of a benchmark to determine "worth it." Your 14 year old at this point has no idea if these would or would not be a better fit than a large school like VT or JMU. Sports achievement can provide more options. Simply playing REC and then HS in the spring may limit the chances to play in the future. I do not see where there is a choice between studying and sports or other activities. Most kids would rather play some sports. Teach time management not A v B. Academics needs to be the primary goal or college. There is a new league called PLL but no future in PRO lacrosse. As far as the 10 year old, you should wait until the answer is more clear. If you are unsure about club the answer is probably wait. Starting club in 8th grade would be fine in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

A “lax” degree from any top liberal arts school is more valuable money/career-wise than any “practical” degree at VA Tech, Mason or JMU. The network is long-standing and proven. It’s elitist. It’s unfair. But it’s true.

- An Average Student Who Got A lot in Life Through Lax Connections

[Anonymous]

Great comments/perspectives. When is the ideal time to start club. Isn’t it harder to make a competitive team the later you join, and don’t you need club exposure to develop? Seems like kids are starting earlier and going deeper (time/money) earlier these days in all sports.

If you played college lacrosse and your kids showing potential and likes it, wouldn’t you feel compelled to start them sooner in club like in grade school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks Late 30's dad.

So working backwards, if you don't think ODAC is worth it, do you have your 14 year-old play club? And backwards from there, do you have your 10 year-old playing club? Or do you keep them in rec and have a more "balanced" childhood that includes more studying and extra-curricular experiences that will help them get into VT?

NOT late 30's dad but I have similar experiences and background/perspective. I would add this: No two kids, schools, clubs are the same. Some things to consider, the 14 year old should be a clear choice yes or no for club based on love of the game or lack of, if he is not begging to play club then don't. Fact is it that to excel in HS and even have a chance at VT or JMU club some level of off season lacrosse will be required. There is a correct fit of club lacrosse for time and price commitments that match what you want. Club did not exist when I was a kid but as I was one of the better players I am sure all of us would have played if it existed. The key is choose the club correctly and more money does not = a better club or experience. It may also be better to play a lot on a club like Evergreen, EKLC, or BattleLax than sit on the bench at Madlax and VLC. As far as schools go, an ODAC or CAC school like CNU or W&L are very different schools, ODAC is too broad of a benchmark to determine "worth it." Your 14 year old at this point has no idea if these would or would not be a better fit than a large school like VT or JMU. Sports achievement can provide more options. Simply playing REC and then HS in the spring may limit the chances to play in the future. I do not see where there is a choice between studying and sports or other activities. Most kids would rather play some sports. Teach time management not A v B. Academics needs to be the primary goal or college. There is a new league called PLL but no future in PRO lacrosse. As far as the 10 year old, you should wait until the answer is more clear. If you are unsure about club the answer is probably wait. Starting club in 8th grade would be fine in my opinion.

13:50 here, thanks to late 30's and above poster. I had no idea about the bolded. That is really helpful info and I feel better that this won't have been all for nothing if he ends up at an MCLA or whatever non-D1-3 league school. He loves it and his club is wonderful, but we sometimes wonder if we should stay on this train if it would limit his college options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A “lax” degree from any top liberal arts school is more valuable money/career-wise than any “practical” degree at VA Tech, Mason or JMU. The network is long-standing and proven. It’s elitist. It’s unfair. But it’s true.

- An Average Student Who Got A lot in Life Through Lax Connections

I didn't grow up playing lacrosse, but my son will be starting at a small D3 school in the fall. Not tippy top academically, and not top 50 lacrosse-wise. But it's a great fit for him (they have his unique major), and with merit aid, it's not much more than our in-state MD choices. He'd be lost at a big school, and he's not a STEM kid, so a 'practical' degree at VT or JMU would be a poor option. I'm very excited that he's taking this route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is lacrosse so popular with universities? It is not like it has value beyond college.

Lacrosse players are often full-pay well-off families. Not only tuition but shows dividends with annual giving. Not to mention adding a lot to the school network. A wise “investment” for any school, especially for D3 liberal arts schools.

Indeed. Some struggling smaller Midwest schools are actually starting lacrosse programs to help bring in students who are willing to pay full freight to be part of a college lacrosse team Kid gets to say they were “recruited” and a college athlete, school hits enrollment and reveunue target.

I have a kid going next year to plax lax at a school in the North Coast Atlantic Conference. Most of this rings true except for the full freight part. Schools in the NCAC generally have big endowments and will discount tuition to attract students. In DS's case, he received $28k in merit aid. For him, the choice was $70k for an East Coast SLAC or about half that in the Midwest (with a 1430 SAT, he would probably just miss admission to UMCP, and the other MD in-state choices were not appealing to him). He will receive an excellent education, get to play a sport that he loves, and have money left over for graduate/med school. It might be marketing to put in lax programs, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good option for some students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A “lax” degree from any top liberal arts school is more valuable money/career-wise than any “practical” degree at VA Tech, Mason or JMU. The network is long-standing and proven. It’s elitist. It’s unfair. But it’s true.

- An Average Student Who Got A lot in Life Through Lax Connections

Maybe. Depends a lot on whether you want to pursue a career that depends on connections -- e.g., commercial real estate, sales -- that sort of thing. Not knocking it, but it's not for everyone. For some kids, the "practical" degree might be more to their liking.

Here's another perspective -- our DC, an average student, or perhaps a bit above average, is now a college senior, playing D3 lax at a selective SLAC. She just landed a great job in communications through alumni connections totally unrelated to lax. That said, for her, lax was worth it because she got into a school that she would never have gotten into otherwise and that opened up horizons for her beyond either the "practical degree" careers or the sales/commercial real estate careers. That, plus she had to use her time effectively from the outset, had older students to guide and mentor her, and stayed physically and emotionally healthy. So, all worked out well for her, but it was absolutely a crapshoot that she caught the attention of a coach who advocated for her. We know many girls she played with in HS who were just as good as she was or better, but who just didn't catch those breaks. Bottom line: have a plan B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A “lax” degree from any top liberal arts school is more valuable money/career-wise than any “practical” degree at VA Tech, Mason or JMU. The network is long-standing and proven. It’s elitist. It’s unfair. But it’s true.

- An Average Student Who Got A lot in Life Through Lax Connections

Maybe. Depends a lot on whether you want to pursue a career that depends on connections -- e.g., commercial real estate, sales -- that sort of thing. Not knocking it, but it's not for everyone. For some kids, the "practical" degree might be more to their liking.

Here's another perspective -- our DC, an average student, or perhaps a bit above average, is now a college senior, playing D3 lax at a selective SLAC. She just landed a great job in communications through alumni connections totally unrelated to lax. That said, for her, lax was worth it because she got into a school that she would never have gotten into otherwise and that opened up horizons for her beyond either the "practical degree" careers or the sales/commercial real estate careers. That, plus she had to use her time effectively from the outset, had older students to guide and mentor her, and stayed physically and emotionally healthy. So, all worked out well for her, but it was absolutely a crapshoot that she caught the attention of a coach who advocated for her. We know many girls she played with in HS who were just as good as she was or better, but who just didn't catch those breaks. Bottom line: have a plan B.

The conversation has taken an interesting turn but I think the guidance is useful to parents with similar questions.
1. To the "average" student who got a lot in life, I think you mis-represent the value of lacrosse. I played, and now I work. I have used connections to get business. However, there is not some secret lacrosse society. Connections exist in many aspects of life. I had to use these connections to get what I wanted. Nothing is given. Connections can exist in Basketball or Football or a fraternity as well. Many of the people I know still involved in the sport work in almost all professions. Connections are only as good as those who used them. Kudos to you if you are successful you earned it. You probably would have without playing lacrosse as well.
2. Commercial Real Estate is a highly competitive field. Success is earned. No client is leasing space from you simply because you played college lacrosse. It is a way to open a door but success is earned.
3. Debating a liberal arts degree v. a science degree or engineering degree is valid and should be well thought out for each individual based on academic aptitude and goals. Including lacrosse in this decision is just silly. It has nothing to do with a sport. There is not a lacrosse degree.
4. MCLA is no joke. Club lacrosse is not a given and probably harder to make a good club team at VT, USC, Clemson than a HS Varsity team.
5. If your kid loves the club and you can afford it, stick with it. Club lacrosse is NOT an investment. Do it for the moment and enjoy it. If not don't do it. However, ask yourself this: If your son did not do club lacrosse, what would he do? In order to reach a high level of performance in soccer, baseball, swimming, hockey, music, dance, skiing, building battle robots, competitive math, or any other activity today you most likely will have to invest as much time and money.

That is all I have

[Anonymous]

Parent of 3 kids that all got into better DI schools than their scores would allow. One is out and had a job lined up in January 4 months before she graduated with a high salary in a field that was desired. One in school now and thriving and the other is committed. Bottom line—USE LAX IF IT HELPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great comments/perspectives. When is the ideal time to start club. Isn’t it harder to make a competitive team the later you join, and don’t you need club exposure to develop? Seems like kids are starting earlier and going deeper (time/money) earlier these days in all sports.

If you played college lacrosse and your kids showing potential and likes it, wouldn’t you feel compelled to start them sooner in club like in grade school?

DS started serious club the summer after 9th grade, is a jr now and likely playing D1 - has interest but hasn't committed yet. If the kid has the chops, it is fine to start then and they will be picked up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is lacrosse so popular with universities? It is not like it has value beyond college.

Lacrosse players are often full-pay well-off families. Not only tuition but shows dividends with annual giving. Not to mention adding a lot to the school network. A wise “investment” for any school, especially for D3 liberal arts schools.

This. I think that my D3 lax school only had a few full scholarships.