Saint Albans Lacrosse

[Anonymous]

The fact that the HC is one of the directors of a club lacrosse team is turning out to be a true symbiotic relationship. The HC can "sell" STA to club players. The HC can also put a club player on the AD's radar and in borderline cases "sell" the player to the AD. Call it whatever you want

Is the HC at STA a full time employee at the school or just a coach?

I'm aware the HC also runs a club program based in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I would say there is some talent in the middle school, which may be a result of the HC's efforts; or, just pure happenstance...but, definitely some talent there

[Anonymous]

We will see, but either way "some" talent does not result in an IAC title or even being competitive in the top half of the league (something STA has not accomplished for decades). That requires more than one or two good players, it requires a field and sideline of great players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say there is some talent in the middle school, which may be a result of the HC's efforts; or, just pure happenstance...but, definitely some talent there

I've asked this before on the girls side, but at a school with competitive admissions like STA, how much influence can the lacrosse coach have over his talent pool?

Maybe you're saying that he's having a lot of success developing the folks he gets.

[Anonymous]

That might be true, but if this year is an indicator, the talented players who also happen to play for top clubs (which is what really matters for college recruiting) are going to great D1 schools. If those top player at STA don’t mind not being a contender for the IAC win, then seems their needs are being met. Great lax players who are strong students can have excellent college options coming out of STA.

[Anonymous]

"Some" meaning 3-5 very good players per grade...is that enough without future additions to be competitive? Who knows. But, this seems to be the current state

[Anonymous]

the STA HC has very little admissions weight at STA.

He is not even a full-time employee, he works at Next Level.

I'd argue a head coach who is established and has been affiliated with the school for several years, understands the ropes, generally has "some" influence with the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Some" meaning 3-5 very good players per grade...is that enough without future additions to be competitive? Who knows. But, this seems to be the current state

STA does not have 3-5 "very good" players per grade. If lucky they have 1-2 good players per grade. Look at their lacrosse recruiting history, one or two per year, sometimes D1 but mostly D3. As an example, STA had one commit in the class of 2021. In the same 2021 class Prep had 13, Bullis had 8, Gonzaga 8, SSSA 6, Episcopal 6, Paul VI 5, and Landon 4. As another comparison, in the class of 2022 STA has two D3 commits while SJC has 17 commits. That is a huge difference in depth and strength.

The 2023 class has 3 commits, this is incredibly unusual for STA and a real anomaly. This is not the start of new trend. STA does not have the depth or strength of program and history to recruit the top lacrosse players. They have one IAC co-championship in their history. If one or two come up from lower school it is luck, not due to recruitment or attracting top players. And yes, many top players are smart enough for STA academically so let's not go there.

[Anonymous]

Tough day at work? Please try to relax and let's try this again: 3-5 very good players (on a relative basis) in each grade in the LS. Some may go on to play at a higher level and perhaps none will. And perhaps this means STA will never be competitive. But, that is current state of things. Have a good one!

[Anonymous]

STA does not have 3-5 "very good" players per grade. If lucky they have 1-2 good players per grade. Look at their lacrosse recruiting history, one or two per year, sometimes D1 but mostly D3. As an example, STA had one commit in the class of 2021. In the same 2021 class Prep had 13, Bullis had 8, Gonzaga 8, SSSA 6, Episcopal 6, Paul VI 5, and Landon 4. As another comparison, in the class of 2022 STA has two D3 commits while SJC has 17 commits. That is a huge difference in depth and strength.

The 2023 class has 3 commits, this is incredibly unusual for STA and a real anomaly. This is not the start of new trend. STA does not have the depth or strength of program and history to recruit the top lacrosse players. They have one IAC co-championship in their history. If one or two come up from lower school it is luck, not due to recruitment or attracting top players. And yes, many top players are smart enough for STA academically so let's not go there.

You are missing a critical piece of info here so your comparisons are ridiculous. STA has about 80 boys per grade - Prep has 125, Gonzaga has 250, St. John’s and Paul VI have about 275 coed (so 135-140 boys) . . . Landon/Bullis/SSSA are the only ones that are really comparable in terms of enrollment.

This all begs the question of why it is so important for you to point out that STA lacrosse team is not as deep. Maybe you should stop trying to live vicariously through your kid.

[Anonymous]

The truth is the truth and sometimes it hurts. "Very Good" were your words, so just provided reality and context. You can re-word it anyway you like ("on a relative basis"), but your original statement was a bit of a stretch. It was also a question, so answered. Are there 3-5 STA boys who play club lacrosse per grade probably, are they all "very good" or future commits unlikely. Having 3-5 decent players does not equate to being competitive or successful in the IAC. You need a lot more than that. Look at the history and appreciate the comparison to other schools (the reality check). You can recognize the 2023 class is great for STA, but not a new trend and not the start of IAC dominance. That is a bridge to far. They would need double the recruits and a much stronger bench to compete against the big boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

STA does not have 3-5 "very good" players per grade. If lucky they have 1-2 good players per grade. Look at their lacrosse recruiting history, one or two per year, sometimes D1 but mostly D3. As an example, STA had one commit in the class of 2021. In the same 2021 class Prep had 13, Bullis had 8, Gonzaga 8, SSSA 6, Episcopal 6, Paul VI 5, and Landon 4. As another comparison, in the class of 2022 STA has two D3 commits while SJC has 17 commits. That is a huge difference in depth and strength.

The 2023 class has 3 commits, this is incredibly unusual for STA and a real anomaly. This is not the start of new trend. STA does not have the depth or strength of program and history to recruit the top lacrosse players. They have one IAC co-championship in their history. If one or two come up from lower school it is luck, not due to recruitment or attracting top players. And yes, many top players are smart enough for STA academically so let's not go there.

You are missing a critical piece of info here so your comparisons are ridiculous. STA has about 80 boys per grade - Prep has 125, Gonzaga has 250, St. John’s and Paul VI have about 275 coed (so 135-140 boys) . . . Landon/Bullis/SSSA are the only ones that are really comparable in terms of enrollment.

This all begs the question of why it is so important for you to point out that STA lacrosse team is not as deep. Maybe you should stop trying to live vicariously through your kid.

Excuses, excuses. The larger schools could easily have very few good lacrosse players. Just because you have larger numbers doesn't mean you have top athletes or players for any given sport. And if you want to use that excuse, then just compare STA to Landon, Bullis, or SSSA (as you said). They have double and triple the amount of commits each year than STA, so your excuse is just that, an excuse, and ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Look, I’m sorry you have a bee in your bonnet about STA lacrosse or that it triggers you. I have no dog in the fight and commenting on personal observations and conversations. We are essentially saying the same thing but for the fact that you find it completely implausible if not impossible that STA has some talent in the LS “relative” to their peers at other schools. Please calm down now. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Excuses, excuses. The larger schools could easily have very few good lacrosse players. Just because you have larger numbers doesn't mean you have top athletes or players for any given sport. And if you want to use that excuse, then just compare STA to Landon, Bullis, or SSSA (as you said). They have double and triple the amount of commits each year than STA, so your excuse is just that, an excuse, and ridiculous.

You should realize that you are responding to different posters. Also, you are the worst cliche of the insufferable lax dads who have stood on the sidelines (usually the same side side as the players) coaching your kid since he was 8. Just pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Wow, the venom towards someone stating facts and providing detailed information is embarrassing. Only people worked up, seem to be the STA supporters. They keep talking about someone needing to calm down, making reference to "insufferable lax dads" on the sideline, and people being "triggered". In actuality, it appears they are the ones with the issues, classic projection.