Feedback on MadLax

[Anonymous]

They do have 2 teams and most of the BLC kids are now on the DMV team. It's a good B team but will not play in the same quality of tournaments/divisions.I imagine many will move back to BLC after the fall ends.

What is more curious is that some of the players played on both the Capital and DMV team in the same tournament, albeit in different divisions. I didn't think that was allowed.

I wouldn’t assume that BLC is going to welcome these guys back with open arms. Maybe a few of the extremely talented but not all. They aren’t going to kick off the boys that stayed. That is not how they roll. There are no spring tryouts.


BLC has added an Orange team back to the 2027 level. They will sort it out but there's nothing set in stone where Blue must be in the better tournaments. To some extent, BLC brought this on themselves with how poorly their board and director handled the summer. Way too much parent involvement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They do have 2 teams and most of the BLC kids are now on the DMV team. It's a good B team but will not play in the same quality of tournaments/divisions.I imagine many will move back to BLC after the fall ends.

What is more curious is that some of the players played on both the Capital and DMV team in the same tournament, albeit in different divisions. I didn't think that was allowed.

I wouldn’t assume that BLC is going to welcome these guys back with open arms. Maybe a few of the extremely talented but not all. They aren’t going to kick off the boys that stayed. That is not how they roll. There are no spring tryouts.

BLC has added an Orange team back to the 2027 level. They will sort it out but there's nothing set in stone where Blue must be in the better tournaments. To some extent, BLC brought this on themselves with how poorly their board and director handled the summer. Way too much parent involvement.

BLC has had board mismanagement problems for years. This is nothing new..

[Anonymous]

Hmmmmm

[Anonymous]

Cabell's treatment of the young men on the 2027 team has been in line with his disgusting behavior from his suspension at Hobart to his less than honorable "professional" career. Whether it is the treatment of historical Cap players, to those trying to enjoy and mature within the sport, he has created turmoil, stress, and unneeded angst in a year needing a bit of stability and normalcy for young developing men. Yes, he has some great coaches, especially those on the 2027 team (minus a few new additions) and that is why we stayed, but each day was a discussion about character, honor, and the importance of not sacrificing morals to make a dollar. He's successful and gets his few select and identified men noticed by high schools and colleges, but at what cost? Are we as parents rewarding his disgusting behavior, yes, and that is a decision we all must make; keep our sons on the "good" team but with bad ownership/character or take the high road and pull them from this classless, less than honorable program and find a new home that may not be the "best" team/program? We've made our decision. Again, I do NOT blame the historical 27 coaches for ANY of this as their coaching livelihood is controlled by Cabell.

Cabell promotes his C.A.S.E camp but I fail to see how he lives and demonstrates any Character in his daily Madlax life.

To make matters even worse, sound lacrosse is no longer being coached/enforced on the team as a result of the influx of new players and Cabell's desire to woo a new coach (basing this section on comments from others who played the sport and what I've learned/been told by coaches (Madlax and others) since being around the sport for years now). Players are playing because of Cabell's desire to make money and not upset the parents (and dad coach - we have nothing against dad coaches if they are impartial) that came over. Over the course of this fall's tournaments and several practices players are starting and receiving time that lack sound fundamental skills because of Cabell's desire to keep them on the team so the money keeps rolling in. From show-boating in a game (BTB shots off cage and not tactically sound decisions), to not executing plays properly, to failing to properly run a fast break in game or practice scenarios, to only passing to buddies, the teams, though winning, are learning poor lacrosse etiquette and technique. Players that had been on Cap previously are no longer playing with the club for a reason. These are honorable families with quality young men that have decided to demonstrate character and integrity...I DO NOT fault the new players here as this is a coaching issue that begins and ends at the top (as I said earlier, the coaches are micromanaged and have little control over "their" team). Players respond to what coaches do/do not do/say and NOTHING has been done to alter this player behavior, because the coaches are beholding to Cabell. Again, I DO NOT fault the young men that have joined the team; this is an issue from the top and the micro management of the program.

Next, and this was not present this summer; the level of profanity on the field has gone from essentially non-existent to down right unacceptable. Yes, these are pre-teen/teenagers, but this was not present this summer, or previous YEARS, and has only recently become an issue. Do I expect a certain level of this, yes, but the exponential increase of this does not fall in line with what I define as Character. Here again, I DO NOT fault the new team members but the coaches for allowing it to happen and this acceptance is once again top down driven (just listen to the way Cabell communicates; from belittling players to yelling at refs, to interrupting his coaches). Class and character are something the 2027 team has demonstrated over the years we've been on the team and I hope it returns; however, that would assume Cabell allows his coaches to coach and instill the discipline that previously existed to all this turmoil. Cabell's recent realization that there is extreme talent on the '27 team and his newfound engagement coincides with the negative aspects I describe; this may be a false linkage but I do not think so.

The lack of response from Cabell and the coaches, when DIRECTLY engaged has been astounding. I understand why the coaches are non-responsive, they are beholden to Cabell, but his indifference to us, as a long-standing team family, was shocking and another display of his arrogance, lack of character, and focus on money/profit over caring about our son and his well being. I do not know if Cabell is "just" a misogynist or truly disrespectful to all parents. I will say that his behavior is simply one of a bully and had been something we'd heard about but never witnessed or fully believed until now.

I implore Catholic University to cut ties with Madlax and C.A.S.E camp as the character, or lack thereof, of the owner of Madlax does not in anyway fall in line with the Catholic faith. CU's association with Madlax implies a certain level of agreement and I seriously doubt anyone in leadership at CU would support the way Cabell behaves and the actual "character" taught throughout the year.

Between the craziness of 2020 (COVID, zoom school, politics, racial challenges), the effects of puberty on the young men, the entering of 6th grade, and the other changes the boys are facing sports could, and should, be a place of stability and "safe harbor" for ALL the boys. For Cabell to not understand this, to not understand the psychological effects of his actions on young impressionable men shows a lack character, morals, and understanding of childhood development.

I wish all the players and parents (of ALL teams) the best of luck moving forward...just realize that yes sports are important in life but the lessons learned by our kids from playing them are what really matter. Furthermore, our boys look at us and how we handle situations like this and our behavior forms their foundation as well. We chose to demonstrate good character and integrity over winning and making money.

In closing, all the boys learned last year the importance of integrity when the Canadian team was found to be cheating and we were able to enter the finals and win while they were disqualified; I hope our boys can once again learn that character and integrity trump winning and making money by our collective action as parents.

[Anonymous]

^^^^

It only get worse in college.

[Anonymous]

Sad, but much is true.

One question about the profanity on the field - I had not noticed that - is it coming from players or coaches, and in what context?

[Anonymous]

The antics and approach of the top clubs at the youth level (not solely Madlax) has gotten increasingly worse in the past few years. The DC youth clubs are thriving in terms of wins, but there is a significant cost to how these programs are being run. I say this as a parent of a kid who is a favored player on a top area club, so no sour grapes. But I worry about the direction we are heading with these clubs. CM is the most visible of these problems, but they don’t end with him or his club.

[Anonymous]

You're not wrong, but instead of venting on a blog, why don't you just go to another club? Hundreds have left ML over the years. Potomac families go to DCX, Bethesda families go to Next Level, NoVa families go to VLC. Take your pick. The problem is MadLax families think they are 'educated' on the club, but little do they know and most are then afraid to leave because this blog will call them out, sadly.

Anonymous wrote:Cabell's treatment of the young men on the 2027 team has been in line with his disgusting behavior from his suspension at Hobart to his less than honorable "professional" career. Whether it is the treatment of historical Cap players, to those trying to enjoy and mature within the sport, he has created turmoil, stress, and unneeded angst in a year needing a bit of stability and normalcy for young developing men. Yes, he has some great coaches, especially those on the 2027 team (minus a few new additions) and that is why we stayed, but each day was a discussion about character, honor, and the importance of not sacrificing morals to make a dollar. He's successful and gets his few select and identified men noticed by high schools and colleges, but at what cost? Are we as parents rewarding his disgusting behavior, yes, and that is a decision we all must make; keep our sons on the "good" team but with bad ownership/character or take the high road and pull them from this classless, less than honorable program and find a new home that may not be the "best" team/program? We've made our decision. Again, I do NOT blame the historical 27 coaches for ANY of this as their coaching livelihood is controlled by Cabell.

Cabell promotes his C.A.S.E camp but I fail to see how he lives and demonstrates any Character in his daily Madlax life.

To make matters even worse, sound lacrosse is no longer being coached/enforced on the team as a result of the influx of new players and Cabell's desire to woo a new coach (basing this section on comments from others who played the sport and what I've learned/been told by coaches (Madlax and others) since being around the sport for years now). Players are playing because of Cabell's desire to make money and not upset the parents (and dad coach - we have nothing against dad coaches if they are impartial) that came over. Over the course of this fall's tournaments and several practices players are starting and receiving time that lack sound fundamental skills because of Cabell's desire to keep them on the team so the money keeps rolling in. From show-boating in a game (BTB shots off cage and not tactically sound decisions), to not executing plays properly, to failing to properly run a fast break in game or practice scenarios, to only passing to buddies, the teams, though winning, are learning poor lacrosse etiquette and technique. Players that had been on Cap previously are no longer playing with the club for a reason. These are honorable families with quality young men that have decided to demonstrate character and integrity...I DO NOT fault the new players here as this is a coaching issue that begins and ends at the top (as I said earlier, the coaches are micromanaged and have little control over "their" team). Players respond to what coaches do/do not do/say and NOTHING has been done to alter this player behavior, because the coaches are beholding to Cabell. Again, I DO NOT fault the young men that have joined the team; this is an issue from the top and the micro management of the program.

Next, and this was not present this summer; the level of profanity on the field has gone from essentially non-existent to down right unacceptable. Yes, these are pre-teen/teenagers, but this was not present this summer, or previous YEARS, and has only recently become an issue. Do I expect a certain level of this, yes, but the exponential increase of this does not fall in line with what I define as Character. Here again, I DO NOT fault the new team members but the coaches for allowing it to happen and this acceptance is once again top down driven (just listen to the way Cabell communicates; from belittling players to yelling at refs, to interrupting his coaches). Class and character are something the 2027 team has demonstrated over the years we've been on the team and I hope it returns; however, that would assume Cabell allows his coaches to coach and instill the discipline that previously existed to all this turmoil. Cabell's recent realization that there is extreme talent on the '27 team and his newfound engagement coincides with the negative aspects I describe; this may be a false linkage but I do not think so.

The lack of response from Cabell and the coaches, when DIRECTLY engaged has been astounding. I understand why the coaches are non-responsive, they are beholden to Cabell, but his indifference to us, as a long-standing team family, was shocking and another display of his arrogance, lack of character, and focus on money/profit over caring about our son and his well being. I do not know if Cabell is "just" a misogynist or truly disrespectful to all parents. I will say that his behavior is simply one of a bully and had been something we'd heard about but never witnessed or fully believed until now.

I implore Catholic University to cut ties with Madlax and C.A.S.E camp as the character, or lack thereof, of the owner of Madlax does not in anyway fall in line with the Catholic faith. CU's association with Madlax implies a certain level of agreement and I seriously doubt anyone in leadership at CU would support the way Cabell behaves and the actual "character" taught throughout the year.

Between the craziness of 2020 (COVID, zoom school, politics, racial challenges), the effects of puberty on the young men, the entering of 6th grade, and the other changes the boys are facing sports could, and should, be a place of stability and "safe harbor" for ALL the boys. For Cabell to not understand this, to not understand the psychological effects of his actions on young impressionable men shows a lack character, morals, and understanding of childhood development.

I wish all the players and parents (of ALL teams) the best of luck moving forward...just realize that yes sports are important in life but the lessons learned by our kids from playing them are what really matter. Furthermore, our boys look at us and how we handle situations like this and our behavior forms their foundation as well. We chose to demonstrate good character and integrity over winning and making money.

In closing, all the boys learned last year the importance of integrity when the Canadian team was found to be cheating and we were able to enter the finals and win while they were disqualified; I hope our boys can once again learn that character and integrity trump winning and making money by our collective action as parents.

[Anonymous]

What makes you think this family didn't leave? Several have and I bet this was written by one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think this family didn't leave? Several have and I bet this was written by one of them.

Reads like a parent with a kid still on team and wishing the past positive team culture would be restored.

[Anonymous]

Interesting.

But I am not clear. If the new 27 players are mostly on DMV, what is their family talking about in terms of new kids and new coaches.

The BLC coach who moved is on DMV.

Is the poster talking about DMV?

[Anonymous]

Maybe the pp will respond but most of the new BLC kids were told they would be on the A team. ML had a parent revolt and most of the BLC kids were put on the B team for the last tournament. One BLC player gets a lot of time with the A team and should. A few A team players got minutes with both teams in the last tournament to keep them happy. The former coach of BLC is on the sidelines for both teams. I think his son is one of the players on both rosters.

[Anonymous]

Yes the BLC coach is on both sidelines. I don't think there was a "parent revolt" but rather a concern that business (keeping the new kids) was overriding good lacrosse decision making. Also, there has been NO preference or respect given to the kids, or parents, that have been with this team for years. These are kids but yet CM is treating it like the NFL or pro baseball as far as loyalty to the players, while expecting 100% loyalty to him and the club; you get what you give. Yes there were a few new players that added strength to the team, but the remainder are on par with the previous players (mid/lower Cap). The style of play, for DMV at least, has changed from one of team play to one of nepotism and selfishness (not passing). Not an expert on the game here so I may be wrong on what I've seen at practice and the last tournament (loved watching and cheering for my son and then the DMV guys)...glad to see that there is a strong DMV team now as I heard the last year + was rough with the combined team 27/28.

[Anonymous]

The new dad coach appears to have more power than the head coach. New dad coach is coaching BOTH teams. IMHO ONE of the BLC players that came over is legit. The rest at best on par with the existing CAP players. Here is to hoping the nepotism continues. Watching his kid is great entertainment

[Anonymous]

A PP alluded that all clubs are this way...is this true? *shaking my head*