Feedback on VLC Club Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"for years VLC was the only legitimate team this side of the river" - I guess by definition ML is not "legitimate"? (cue Cabell hate)

The trolling on this site is ponderous. ML is a legitimate program but its not really on this side of the river - it attracts kids from the entire DMV and has at least half of its practices at Landon (in Md.) VLC for years was the only real option for quality kids with parents who didn't want to spend hours in the car every week. Again - my only point is that VLC has to get its act together or face relegation to B club status.

It's not trolling. ML is in Virginia and is legit. If it attracts kids from all over the DMV then that just shows how good it is. If VLC was good enough, it would attract MD talent, too.

VLC has a lot of Fairfax County kids, and they drive hours every week to go to Loudoun County practices - not much different from going to ML practices.

[Anonymous]

“ - Recruit? If you’re a public school kid in VA or even private school in VA that wants to play in college, you play for VLC. Period end of story. How many MadLax or even NL or DCX kids that play in college are from VA. It’s gotta be less then 10%.”

This absolutely is not true. In many years, a majority of the top Madlax players are from Virginia.

[Anonymous]

As a rule, if you're the best player on your team in Nova, you go play for ML. For the anti-CM people, they go to NL. VLC has built a great program and strong foothold in Nova over the years, their 2023 class is the most recent example of sending kids (public and private to high level D1 programs). The merger with Cavs was smart to establish a pipeline to DS & Great Falls youth players looking to play club at a younger age.

The struggles with 2027 can't be a coincidence following the VLC Black Ops combined team. In hindsight, merging with NL and DCE for the WSYL last year may not have been the best business decision.

It will be interesting to see what TSJ is able to provide when it comes to additional coaches beyond Sowell. Staff 4 teams with qualified coaches is going to be vital in TSJ fielding high level teams.

[Anonymous]

VLC get their teams into the best tourneys currently for recruiting. That is a fact that no one can dispute. Maybe it changes but its the reason to choose VLC over many of the other discussed programs (ex Madlax).

No brainer. If you want to be seen you must be in A level tourneys. Again, maybe that changes but VLC, ML, DCE are the ones in the DMV that get there currently. Not the other clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VLC get their teams into the best tourneys currently for recruiting. That is a fact that no one can dispute. Maybe it changes but its the reason to choose VLC over many of the other discussed programs (ex Madlax).

No brainer. If you want to be seen you must be in A level tourneys. Again, maybe that changes but VLC, ML, DCE are the ones in the DMV that get there currently. Not the other clubs.

I agree that for the '25, '24 & '23 teams VLC's past practice will continue to yield good results. Once a high school team plays its first summer, kids generally don't leave unless there is a problem. The '26s went 3-4 at HOCO and did not make the playoffs in an eight team division. I don't understand how the 27s will form a quality team. Its going to be very hard to get dedicated players to join a brand new team. The 28s and 29s are pretty shaky and those kids now have options that they didn't have before. True Va. is a very organized club and they offer an opportunity to play for regional and national teams. Top Caliber is a real draw for Madison and Oakton kids. Hammers is getting better and certainly an easier commute for a lot of families. STJ will have dedicated field space particularly during the winter. Finally, DCE will skim off at least a couple of quality eighth graders every year.

VLC has got to get its act together.

[Anonymous]

"Top Caliber is a real draw for Madison and Oakton kids."

FYI Oakton has 1 D1 commit does Madison have any?

What club did the Oakton commit play at? hint: not TC

[Anonymous]

What is the deal with this thread. If you think I’m wrong about VLC’s youth teams tell me your reasoning. Just saying “VLC has done well in the past” is not responsive. To aid you in your response pls explain

1. Why a rising 6th or 7th grader would go to VLC
2. What advantages VLC has over other va based clubs
3. Why VLC has fared so poorly in HOCO
4. Why there are enough high quality 8th graders to field a team when DCE and ML are going to skim at least 10 every year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with this thread. If you think I’m wrong about VLC’s youth teams tell me your reasoning. Just saying “VLC has done well in the past” is not responsive. To aid you in your response pls explain

1. Why a rising 6th or 7th grader would go to VLC
2. What advantages VLC has over other va based clubs
3. Why VLC has fared so poorly in HOCO
4. Why there are enough high quality 8th graders to field a team when DCE and ML are going to skim at least 10 every year

Dude, get life! Pick a team already and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with this thread. If you think I’m wrong about VLC’s youth teams tell me your reasoning. Just saying “VLC has done well in the past” is not responsive. To aid you in your response pls explain

1. Why a rising 6th or 7th grader would go to VLC
2. What advantages VLC has over other va based clubs
3. Why VLC has fared so poorly in HOCO
4. Why there are enough high quality 8th graders to field a team when DCE and ML are going to skim at least 10 every year

Bro, you need a reality check or realignment in values/priorities for you child. I suggest you go to the Welcome to VLC night. It’s usually open to the public and you’ll understand that their club is really more about building boys into men. If you want to Ws and rankings, go elsewhere. If you want your son to have some backbone & character, check them out.

Lastly, alums are the best source of information. If you don’t like VLCs direction with their youth, ask an alum what their experience was like. Guarantee they tell you their youth teams weren’t great but it all worked out anyway.

[Anonymous]

“Bro” (and I use that term loosely) here are some things for you to consider:

1) This thread is named “feedback on VLC lacrosse club” if you do not want to give or read feedback on on VLC why are you on this thread?

2) VLC’s 27 team just folded - stranding several great kids with no team. Most of those kids left other teams to join that team last year. To add injury to insult VLC Did not tell those families until most other teams had held their tryouts. it is hard to know if those kids will find a team this year. Meaning those kids may not be able to play in their final HOCO season and they might not have a summer team the year before they go to high school.

3) The factors that broke up that team - inconsistent coaching, Constant feild changes, poor communication and and Poor player development- are present at both the 28 and 29 level.

4) Why can’t you to defend a program that is charging $2950 that does not include winter skillz and drillz? Why do you have to rely on “ re-examine your priorities“ as your defense?

5) I am not a VLC hater. But at least at the youth level They need to do several things including improve communication, improve recruiting, more practices and skill sessions, Better field space and consistent coaching. The 27‘s had different coaches for spring and summer I heard the 28sand the 29s had the same experience on at least some other teams

[Anonymous]

^ 100%

It was actually 3 coaching changes in a year. Fall, Spring, and Summer.

One issue that I'm sure parents had a problem with were one team having 1 head coach and 3 assistants while the 2027 team may have a head coach show up sometimes.

Just saying.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a cheerleading thread. If there's things about a club, positive or negative or in between that can help parents understand if its a good fit for their kid, let's hear them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Bro” (and I use that term loosely) here are some things for you to consider:

1) This thread is named “feedback on VLC lacrosse club” if you do not want to give or read feedback on on VLC why are you on this thread?

2) VLC’s 27 team just folded - stranding several great kids with no team. Most of those kids left other teams to join that team last year. To add injury to insult VLC Did not tell those families until most other teams had held their tryouts. it is hard to know if those kids will find a team this year. Meaning those kids may not be able to play in their final HOCO season and they might not have a summer team the year before they go to high school.

3) The factors that broke up that team - inconsistent coaching, Constant feild changes, poor communication and and Poor player development- are present at both the 28 and 29 level.

4) Why can’t you to defend a program that is charging $2950 that does not include winter skillz and drillz? Why do you have to rely on “ re-examine your priorities“ as your defense?

5) I am not a VLC hater. But at least at the youth level They need to do several things including improve communication, improve recruiting, more practices and skill sessions, Better field space and consistent coaching. The 27‘s had different coaches for spring and summer I heard the 28sand the 29s had the same experience on at least some other teams

It sounds like you really want VLC to work out for you and your family. I suggest that you directly connect with VLC directors. You can be passive aggressive here, which is fine, but if you want change not going to happen through DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dico!

[Anonymous]

When is the VLC recruiting information night that was mentioned a few posts back?