Feedback on Next Level Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This must be a joke post ^

I mean, you have to hope so. Spit out my coffee reading it just now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This must be a joke post ^

What’s a joke about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they go to NL 2024 or 2023?

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Serious question - did these players leave because of something that the ML owner did, or simply because the team had gotten too big and players could get more PT elsewhere? And if he did do something, was it his capacity as ML owner, or coach of that team? I ask because I have a son on one of the younger MadLax teams. I signed him up with some trepidation, having heard the good/bad/ugly with the program, but so far my son has had a great experience. Great coaches, teammates, and families on his team. I rarely see the owner at all.
Can anybody share the objective reasons why players left?

Yes, they left because Madlax Owner, Cabell Maddux has routinely attacked players. (Fired at SJC for that). He sends out nasty emails to kids who leave and cyber bullies them. Just read the article below. He did something similar this past year. His players were caught with hookers at Potomac. There is so much more that I could say.

I’m not even saying that you should have your child switch to NL, just pull him out of MadLax. Find the best fit for you guys, as it could be DCE, VLC or NL.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/deadspin.com/hey-ungrateful-quitter-emails-from-an-angry-lacrosse-660703941/amp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been in the NL community for a while now.

I have never, ever met anyone that is not satisfied with there time at NL. There is no one in the entire world I would trust my kids with more than the Mitchell Brothers or Coach Heeter. They are competitive, but sportsmanlike, there ultimate goal is to raise children as leaders, and role models. The three have poured there hearts into this program, giving everything up for this. Coach BOH for example, was on track to become a top medical expert. Instead, he perused his dreams, he graduated Cum Laude and had the highest GPA in the Philosophy Department. Dave and Boh also has opportunities to take over their families Law Firm, but they didn’t. They care more about raising young men in a positive environment. Coach Heeter cane from an extremely well off family, and also had many options to inherit a mini fortune. He as well chose to lead and mentor our children instead through Lacrosse. The coaches have chosen away from many opportunities to coach at the best High Schools and Colleges (St. Johns, PVI, Maryland...). Instead, the Mitchell brothers coach for NO SALARY at the Heights school.

There just isn’t any person that is a better role model for your children.

I don’t think that NL engages in any slimy behavior that the other programs aren’t also doing. Underhanded recruiting tactics, bait and switch, misleading offers, deep discounts to recruit star players—they all do it. But this attitude—that they are holier than thou—is whats so ridiculous. All of the programs have their warts, but it’s disingenuous to suggest that there is “no better role model For your children.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been in the NL community for a while now.

I have never, ever met anyone that is not satisfied with there time at NL. There is no one in the entire world I would trust my kids with more than the Mitchell Brothers or Coach Heeter. They are competitive, but sportsmanlike, there ultimate goal is to raise children as leaders, and role models. The three have poured there hearts into this program, giving everything up for this. Coach BOH for example, was on track to become a top medical expert. Instead, he perused his dreams, he graduated Cum Laude and had the highest GPA in the Philosophy Department. Dave and Boh also has opportunities to take over their families Law Firm, but they didn’t. They care more about raising young men in a positive environment. Coach Heeter cane from an extremely well off family, and also had many options to inherit a mini fortune. He as well chose to lead and mentor our children instead through Lacrosse. The coaches have chosen away from many opportunities to coach at the best High Schools and Colleges (St. Johns, PVI, Maryland...). Instead, the Mitchell brothers coach for NO SALARY at the Heights school.

There just isn’t any person that is a better role model for your children.

I don’t think that NL engages in any slimy behavior that the other programs aren’t also doing. Underhanded recruiting tactics, bait and switch, misleading offers, deep discounts to recruit star players—they all do it. But this attitude—that they are holier than thou—is whats so ridiculous. All of the programs have their warts, but it’s disingenuous to suggest that there is “no better role model For your children.”

NL for sure has some misleading offers and promotions, but there is no way that they recruit players or give them discounts. This group is not saying that NL is “hollier than thou. Instead, we are trying to warn parents of the dangers of MadLax. Can you elaborate on your “Bait and Switch, or Underganded Recruiting Tactics comment.”


I don’t think that it is wrong for a coach to try to build the strongest team possible. The whole reason that they now Next Level 24 players left Madlax was because of the way the head coach (Cabell Maddux - Owner of MadLax ) treated a player who left that team last year. He bullied the kid online, which is completely unacceptable for any adult. He called the kids High School coaches and has been Lambasting him. Maddux has been doing this for years, he once called a college coach telling them to unenroll a player because he was not a good person. This of course, happened after the player switched away from his club team.

I have to agree with the comment that there is “no better role model for your children.” Dave has a competitive, yet sportsmanlike behavior when coaching. He is awesome to talk to, and from what I’ve heard, he gives great advice.

Read the article below on him. “He cares more than anyone I’ve even seen.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2015/04/03/its-finally-starting-to-come-together-for-the-heights-lacrosse-team/%3FoutputType%3Damp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been in the NL community for a while now.

I have never, ever met anyone that is not satisfied with there time at NL. There is no one in the entire world I would trust my kids with more than the Mitchell Brothers or Coach Heeter. They are competitive, but sportsmanlike, there ultimate goal is to raise children as leaders, and role models. The three have poured there hearts into this program, giving everything up for this. Coach BOH for example, was on track to become a top medical expert. Instead, he perused his dreams, he graduated Cum Laude and had the highest GPA in the Philosophy Department. Dave and Boh also has opportunities to take over their families Law Firm, but they didn’t. They care more about raising young men in a positive environment. Coach Heeter cane from an extremely well off family, and also had many options to inherit a mini fortune. He as well chose to lead and mentor our children instead through Lacrosse. The coaches have chosen away from many opportunities to coach at the best High Schools and Colleges (St. Johns, PVI, Maryland...). Instead, the Mitchell brothers coach for NO SALARY at the Heights school.

There just isn’t any person that is a better role model for your children.

I don’t think that NL engages in any slimy behavior that the other programs aren’t also doing. Underhanded recruiting tactics, bait and switch, misleading offers, deep discounts to recruit star players—they all do it. But this attitude—that they are holier than thou—is whats so ridiculous. All of the programs have their warts, but it’s disingenuous to suggest that there is “no better role model For your children.”

NL for sure has some misleading offers and promotions, but there is no way that they recruit players or give them discounts. This group is not saying that NL is “hollier than thou. Instead, we are trying to warn parents of the dangers of MadLax. Can you elaborate on your “Bait and Switch, or Underganded Recruiting Tactics comment.”


I don’t think that it is wrong for a coach to try to build the strongest team possible. The whole reason that they now Next Level 24 players left Madlax was because of the way the head coach (Cabell Maddux - Owner of MadLax ) treated a player who left that team last year. He bullied the kid online, which is completely unacceptable for any adult. He called the kids High School coaches and has been Lambasting him. Maddux has been doing this for years, he once called a college coach telling them to unenroll a player because he was not a good person. This of course, happened after the player switched away from his club team.

I have to agree with the comment that there is “no better role model for your children.” Dave has a competitive, yet sportsmanlike behavior when coaching. He is awesome to talk to, and from what I’ve heard, he gives great advice.

Read the article below on him. “He cares more than anyone I’ve even seen.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2015/04/03/its-finally-starting-to-come-together-for-the-heights-


lacrosse-team/%3FoutputType%3Damp

Everyone is reading way too much into this.
Madlax owner is a D!CK. PERIOD. That is why the families left.

[Anonymous]

Let's be honest, anybody who owns a for-profit youth sports business, by definition, is going to be slimy. The owners of MadLax, Blackwolf and NextLevel may get slammed the most, but the same criticisms can be leveled at the owners of all the travel lacrosse programs in DC, Baltimore, etc. You can't earn a six or seven figure income based on kids sports without manipulating players and families. That is how the business works. If these owners were good people, they would be volunteering their time as rec coaches and find another way to earn a living. Families should accept the reality of travel lacrosse, or stick to rec. But debating which owner is worse than another based on anecdotal experience is a bit silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest, anybody who owns a for-profit youth sports business, by definition, is going to be slimy. The owners of MadLax, Blackwolf and NextLevel may get slammed the most, but the same criticisms can be leveled at the owners of all the travel lacrosse programs in DC, Baltimore, etc. You can't earn a six or seven figure income based on kids sports without manipulating players and families. That is how the business works. If these owners were good people, they would be volunteering their time as rec coaches and find another way to earn a living. Families should accept the reality of travel lacrosse, or stick to rec. But debating which owner is worse than another based on anecdotal experience is a bit silly.

It’s important for parents to note the way that other programs treat their players. No one said Next Level is perfect, but it is by far and away the best option of the 3 DC teams (Madlax, Express, Next Level). Express is collapsing at the younger years, and are coached by Dads. Madlax is coached by professionals, but they are jerks. Their owner sends nasty emails to players and their schools. His team was caught with hookers at the McLean School. He assaulted a kid at St. John’s...

Next Level has high quality teams, and unlike Express or Madlax, it does not have a any disturbing accusations.

What is wrong with making a profit from youth sports? People are providing a service, so they should be payed. It would be different if a team had 30 players on a team (Madlax). That’s just stealing. It’s not like the owners of Express, VLC or Next Level are making a fortune of youth sports. They just make enough to feed their families.

[Anonymous]

all programs have their flaws pros and cons.

Just be happy we have a ton of competitive programs to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest, anybody who owns a for-profit youth sports business, by definition, is going to be slimy. The owners of MadLax, Blackwolf and NextLevel may get slammed the most, but the same criticisms can be leveled at the owners of all the travel lacrosse programs in DC, Baltimore, etc. You can't earn a six or seven figure income based on kids sports without manipulating players and families. That is how the business works. If these owners were good people, they would be volunteering their time as rec coaches and find another way to earn a living. Families should accept the reality of travel lacrosse, or stick to rec. But debating which owner is worse than another based on anecdotal experience is a bit silly.

These are the dumbest types of posts. Why is it "by definition..." I wonder what you do for a living and perhaps you should volunteer all your time and money in performing whatever service or labor you perform. If the county wanted to end this practice, they wouldn't rent their fields or gyms to these businesses. The great thing is you have a choice and don't have to play travel for profit sports. There are plenty of options in the non-profit world to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest, anybody who owns a for-profit youth sports business, by definition, is going to be slimy. The owners of MadLax, Blackwolf and NextLevel may get slammed the most, but the same criticisms can be leveled at the owners of all the travel lacrosse programs in DC, Baltimore, etc. You can't earn a six or seven figure income based on kids sports without manipulating players and families. That is how the business works. If these owners were good people, they would be volunteering their time as rec coaches and find another way to earn a living. Families should accept the reality of travel lacrosse, or stick to rec. But debating which owner is worse than another based on anecdotal experience is a bit silly.

These are the dumbest types of posts. Why is it "by definition..." I wonder what you do for a living and perhaps you should volunteer all your time and money in performing whatever service or labor you perform. If the county wanted to end this practice, they wouldn't rent their fields or gyms to these businesses. The great thing is you have a choice and don't have to play travel for profit sports. There are plenty of options in the non-profit world to choose from.

It's about choice and options - there are some clubs teams that driven by $$$ and that's the model they set up - it may work for some kids but not your kid - but thanks for forums like this, it's easier to figure out sooner than later. Parents can complain when they aren't getting value for their family's time and money and they will move on to another team/scenario that makes sense for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son plays for Next Level and it's a terrific program.

The Mitchell brothers, who own it, are excellent coaches, positive role models, and kind people. They’ve put together a talented staff of professional coaches at every age group and I think that is the key to their success.

Practices are always positive, competitive, and up tempo. The kids learn a lot, but they also have a lot of fun. And in addition to the 3 main coaches for each Next Level team, positional coaches regularly attend practices to work with goalies, FOGOS, defense, etc.

There are lots of high-achieving clubs in this area. I have friends whose kids play for MadLax and BLC and they are extremely happy there.

Yes, there are some philosophical/cultural differences between each club.

MadLax seems to be the most intense. BLC is dad-coached and relies on high-quality volunteers (that model shifts when kids are old enough for DC Express).

Next Level really focuses on player development and technique. They emphasize hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork, and doing things the right way (no shortcuts) and the coaches lead by example. Even when they are getting on a kid’s case to correct something, they do it in a positive manner. It’s really impressive.

Next Level did recently move out of their indoor facility on River Road and currently all their practices are outdoors at either The Heights or Washington Episcopal School. But when indoor lacrosse can resume, they will have a new indoor space for the kids to use.

There is no one ‘best’ club because teams vary so much year to year.

But without a doubt, Next Level is ascending. A lot of players recently left MadLax and BLC to come to Next Level this year, but not many players are voluntarily leaving Next Level (there are only so many roster spots, so inevitably some kids get cut and find a new home).

If you are new to the area, the best way to get a feel for each club is to have your kid try out and go observe what a practice is like, what the coaches are like, what the parents are like.

Again, there is no one ‘right’ program. Just go with the club that feels right to you and works for your schedule.

This is probably true for the younger kids. But the Mitchells are just as cutthroat and competitive when it comes to the older teams (2025 and up) as any other program in the area. They are running a business like any other program in the area, so that means stacking teams with re-classed players and players who are physically big. And they have no compunction about cutting long-time players in that quest. Again, it's a business for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is probably true for the younger kids. But the Mitchells are just as cutthroat and competitive when it comes to the older teams (2025 and up) as any other program in the area. They are running a business like any other program in the area, so that means stacking teams with re-classed players and players who are physically big. And they have no compunction about cutting long-time players in that quest. Again, it's a business for them.

I'm not sure why there should be an expectation that long-time players don't get cut if better players come along. I've seen it at Madlax and NL and presume it happens at DCE. This is supposed to be the highest level of youth lacrosse in the area. Would you rather they keep your kid on the team but they never play?

With regard to re-classed players I feel your pain (my kid was impacted by it a couple of years ago) but, again, they all do it. For better or worse, the rules of the game are set up to allow it. Unless lacrosse adopts age-based universally (probably never happen), reclassed kids (some of which were reclassed years ago for non-sports reasons) are here to stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is probably true for the younger kids. But the Mitchells are just as cutthroat and competitive when it comes to the older teams (2025 and up) as any other program in the area. They are running a business like any other program in the area, so that means stacking teams with re-classed players and players who are physically big. And they have no compunction about cutting long-time players in that quest. Again, it's a business for them.

I'm not sure why there should be an expectation that long-time players don't get cut if better players come along. I've seen it at Madlax and NL and presume it happens at DCE. This is supposed to be the highest level of youth lacrosse in the area. Would you rather they keep your kid on the team but they never play?

With regard to re-classed players I feel your pain (my kid was impacted by it a couple of years ago) but, again, they all do it. For better or worse, the rules of the game are set up to allow it. Unless lacrosse adopts age-based universally (probably never happen), reclassed kids (some of which were reclassed years ago for non-sports reasons) are here to stay.

With COVID, there has been a lot of high school kids reclassing. NL 23 has a Landon kid who reclassed this Summer. NL 25 has a bunch of kids who were on NL 24 and reclassed this year. Two 22's on Episcopal reclassed as 23's after freshman year when they didn't make varsity at stronger lacrosse schools (Landon and SSSAS). Do you get a 5th year? Or do you have to go away to a prep school as Senior?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is probably true for the younger kids. But the Mitchells are just as cutthroat and competitive when it comes to the older teams (2025 and up) as any other program in the area. They are running a business like any other program in the area, so that means stacking teams with re-classed players and players who are physically big. And they have no compunction about cutting long-time players in that quest. Again, it's a business for them.

I'm not sure why there should be an expectation that long-time players don't get cut if better players come along. I've seen it at Madlax and NL and presume it happens at DCE. This is supposed to be the highest level of youth lacrosse in the area. Would you rather they keep your kid on the team but they never play?

With regard to re-classed players I feel your pain (my kid was impacted by it a couple of years ago) but, again, they all do it. For better or worse, the rules of the game are set up to allow it. Unless lacrosse adopts age-based universally (probably never happen), reclassed kids (some of which were reclassed years ago for non-sports reasons) are here to stay.

yeah, no expectations here--we've been in this world for a while now and seen it all....just trying to give a dose of reality for the PP singing the praises of the Mitchells as if they aren't running a business