2026 Girls Player Commitments🥍🥍

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.

You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.

For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:

Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame

Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.

Wow. You sure seem to know a lot about the daily dynamics at tons of different schools. How did this come to be?

Looked and it seems like all of the schools you've touched on from both sides play the same amount of players, and underclass as well. Can you explain how that squares? And is engagement with students outside of lacrosse not allowed at these top schools, as you infer? That sounds really draconian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.

You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.

For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:

Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame

Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.

Wow. You sure seem to know a lot about the daily dynamics at tons of different schools. How did this come to be?

Looked and it seems like all of the schools you've touched on from both sides play the same amount of players, and underclass as well. Can you explain how that squares? And is engagement with students outside of lacrosse not allowed at these top schools, as you infer? That sounds really draconian.

Well, I know players (and their families) on every one of these teams and their early experiences were similar across the board. Trends of playing time challenges, difficult team dynamics, coach ghosting, and the pressure felt at these levels were consistent among all. The reality is there’s very little time for these players to do anything outside the sport given the added academic pressure. Dismiss these views at your own peril, I really don’t care.

[Anonymous]

The reality of playing at a d1 school. It’s a lot to take on, view it as “draconian”, but it’s an honest opinions

[Anonymous]

My kids played high ACC and IVY. The smart and athletic ones also find time to have fun. Employers want well-rounded hires and being social is an important quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids played high ACC and IVY. The smart and athletic ones also find time to have fun. Employers want well-rounded hires and being social is an important quality.

Yeah, sounds like the poster wants women to go to good but just not too good schools and programs. For parity sake?

[Anonymous]

College lacrosse is an absolute grind. Any college sport is. And every player on the team was a star who thought they would turn into a starter.
A ton of players go to every practice, every fun session, every lift, and never see a meaningful minute.

My Oldest had this experience playing acc soccer. Saw almost no time in 4 years. Loved her experience and wouldn’t have changed it for the world. She’s at the beach right now with 7 former teammates.

I personally would have hated it.

[Anonymous]

That should say film session

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College lacrosse is an absolute grind. Any college sport is. And every player on the team was a star who thought they would turn into a starter.
A ton of players go to every practice, every fun session, every lift, and never see a meaningful minute.

My Oldest had this experience playing acc soccer. Saw almost no time in 4 years. Loved her experience and wouldn’t have changed it for the world. She’s at the beach right now with 7 former teammates.

I personally would have hated it.

You don't know if you would have hated it unless you went through it personally. Unless there is more to the story, you didn't go through it; your daughter did. If she made an ACC soccer team, she's a very competitive person, and she's still glad she did it. There are a lot of people here who only list the cons of this scenario. Even if you never play, you're probably in the best physical shape you'll ever be in. That alone is an enormous positive. Add to that being on a team of like-minded, fit people, being forced to have excellent time management, having academic resources like tutors that most students don't have, possibly getting into a school you otherwise wouldn't have been accepted to, and course, getting reduced tuition. I think the large majority of these kids know this scenario is a possibility and are OK with the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College lacrosse is an absolute grind. Any college sport is. And every player on the team was a star who thought they would turn into a starter.
A ton of players go to every practice, every fun session, every lift, and never see a meaningful minute.

My Oldest had this experience playing acc soccer. Saw almost no time in 4 years. Loved her experience and wouldn’t have changed it for the world. She’s at the beach right now with 7 former teammates.

I personally would have hated it.

You don't know if you would have hated it unless you went through it personally. Unless there is more to the story, you didn't go through it; your daughter did. If she made an ACC soccer team, she's a very competitive person, and she's still glad she did it. There are a lot of people here who only list the cons of this scenario. Even if you never play, you're probably in the best physical shape you'll ever be in. That alone is an enormous positive. Add to that being on a team of like-minded, fit people, being forced to have excellent time management, having academic resources like tutors that most students don't have, possibly getting into a school you otherwise wouldn't have been accepted to, and course, getting reduced tuition. I think the large majority of these kids know this scenario is a possibility and are OK with the risk.

So a parent isn’t authorized an opinion because they watched their kid and didn’t do it themselves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.

You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.

For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:

Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame

Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.

Wow. You sure seem to know a lot about the daily dynamics at tons of different schools. How did this come to be?

Looked and it seems like all of the schools you've touched on from both sides play the same amount of players, and underclass as well. Can you explain how that squares? And is engagement with students outside of lacrosse not allowed at these top schools, as you infer? That sounds really draconian.

Well, I know players (and their families) on every one of these teams and their early experiences were similar across the board. Trends of playing time challenges, difficult team dynamics, coach ghosting, and the pressure felt at these levels were consistent among all. The reality is there’s very little time for these players to do anything outside the sport given the added academic pressure. Dismiss these views at your own peril, I really don’t care.

At my own peril? That sounds really daunting. So the top 10-15 schools have these social dynamics and overzealous drive to win, but the teens and 20s (still very high) don't? That's a pretty general swath you're cutting there both ways.

The only measurable you've included is playing time, which you didn't respond to and seems equal on rosters. Can we then question all of this advice, regardless of you knowing a couple people? I think so.

It's crazy, but I also know players on several of these teams, and their experience is nothing like you project. One team (probably more) even has a youtube channel that shows the complete opposite of what you say, regularly. Starters and not fraternizing together, living and rooming together, travelling together, having fun on and off the field.

You also didn't answer the other question about whether fraternization with other students isn't allowed. Maybe because we both know that's ridiculous.

Anyone can have empathy that someone didn't get their best experience. Hopefully, your friends' daughters move on in positive directions, as I suspect many high achievers do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.

You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.

For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:

Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame

Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.

Wow. You sure seem to know a lot about the daily dynamics at tons of different schools. How did this come to be?

Looked and it seems like all of the schools you've touched on from both sides play the same amount of players, and underclass as well. Can you explain how that squares? And is engagement with students outside of lacrosse not allowed at these top schools, as you infer? That sounds really draconian.

Well, I know players (and their families) on every one of these teams and their early experiences were similar across the board. Trends of playing time challenges, difficult team dynamics, coach ghosting, and the pressure felt at these levels were consistent among all. The reality is there’s very little time for these players to do anything outside the sport given the added academic pressure. Dismiss these views at your own peril, I really don’t care.

At my own peril? That sounds really daunting. So the top 10-15 schools have these social dynamics and overzealous drive to win, but the teens and 20s (still very high) don't? That's a pretty general swath you're cutting there both ways.

The only measurable you've included is playing time, which you didn't respond to and seems equal on rosters. Can we then question all of this advice, regardless of you knowing a couple people? I think so.

It's crazy, but I also know players on several of these teams, and their experience is nothing like you project. One team (probably more) even has a youtube channel that shows the complete opposite of what you say, regularly. Starters and not fraternizing together, living and rooming together, travelling together, having fun on and off the field.

You also didn't answer the other question about whether fraternization with other students isn't allowed. Maybe because we both know that's ridiculous.

Anyone can have empathy that someone didn't get their best experience. Hopefully, your friends' daughters move on in positive directions, as I suspect many high achievers do.

Yes, peril. If you want the bragging rights, it can come with riding the bench, coaches who ignore you, no life outside of the team, and little time or opportunity to make friends outside the sport. Hey - do it (if you even get looks from these schools). I really don’t care. The experience often isn’t what these girls expect it will be. I’m just advising people what I’ve heard from parents at every one of these schools. Enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.

You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.

For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:

Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame

Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.

Wow. You sure seem to know a lot about the daily dynamics at tons of different schools. How did this come to be?

Looked and it seems like all of the schools you've touched on from both sides play the same amount of players, and underclass as well. Can you explain how that squares? And is engagement with students outside of lacrosse not allowed at these top schools, as you infer? That sounds really draconian.

Well, I know players (and their families) on every one of these teams and their early experiences were similar across the board. Trends of playing time challenges, difficult team dynamics, coach ghosting, and the pressure felt at these levels were consistent among all. The reality is there’s very little time for these players to do anything outside the sport given the added academic pressure. Dismiss these views at your own peril, I really don’t care.

At my own peril? That sounds really daunting. So the top 10-15 schools have these social dynamics and overzealous drive to win, but the teens and 20s (still very high) don't? That's a pretty general swath you're cutting there both ways.

The only measurable you've included is playing time, which you didn't respond to and seems equal on rosters. Can we then question all of this advice, regardless of you knowing a couple people? I think so.

It's crazy, but I also know players on several of these teams, and their experience is nothing like you project. One team (probably more) even has a youtube channel that shows the complete opposite of what you say, regularly. Starters and not fraternizing together, living and rooming together, travelling together, having fun on and off the field.

You also didn't answer the other question about whether fraternization with other students isn't allowed. Maybe because we both know that's ridiculous.

Anyone can have empathy that someone didn't get their best experience. Hopefully, your friends' daughters move on in positive directions, as I suspect many high achievers do.

Yes, peril. If you want the bragging rights, it can come with riding the bench, coaches who ignore you, no life outside of the team, and little time or opportunity to make friends outside the sport. Hey - do it (if you even get looks from these schools). I really don’t care. The experience often isn’t what these girls expect it will be. I’m just advising people what I’ve heard from parents at every one of these schools. Enjoy it.

Again, I don't think you're really going by anything really other than maybe one introvert or tough to get along with person at a given school that would be that anywhere. Actually, who knows what you're making up given what I already know to be false about what you've said.

But I'll play. Where do the starters go at these new schools that top team backups go to? Do they go to the bench? If so, where do the bench players go from those new schools? And who replaces the backups at the top schools?

You realize you're not creating new programs with your idea, yes? And the same number of players will be on all these teams. So who is it that you think you're helping?

[Anonymous]

Yes, peril. If you want the bragging rights, it can come with riding the bench, coaches who ignore you, no life outside of the team, and little time or opportunity to make friends outside the sport. Hey - do it (if you even get looks from these schools). I really don’t care. The experience often isn’t what these girls expect it will be. I’m just advising people what I’ve heard from parents at every one of these schools. Enjoy it.


I am hearing the same thing. I know a lot of people with 2024 daughters playing at D1 schools this year and most of them weren't very happy. Some but not all of the D3 girls are having a good experience. It definitely made me pause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, peril. If you want the bragging rights, it can come with riding the bench, coaches who ignore you, no life outside of the team, and little time or opportunity to make friends outside the sport. Hey - do it (if you even get looks from these schools). I really don’t care. The experience often isn’t what these girls expect it will be. I’m just advising people what I’ve heard from parents at every one of these schools. Enjoy it.

I am hearing the same thing. I know a lot of people with 2024 daughters playing at D1 schools this year and most of them weren't very happy. Some but not all of the D3 girls are having a good experience. It definitely made me pause.

Have these girls even made it to campus yet? Do you mean 2023?

[Anonymous]

Most have been on campus for a while D1 athletes don't get the same summers that others do...