Reply to lax culture from an insider

Forum Index » Sports General Discussion

Reply to "lax culture from an insider"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The commentary in the last couple of posts on "commitments" is accurate; however, in general the colleges do try to honor them out of self-interest.  If the coach of a top lacrosse program is seen as not honoring those commitments, it will make it more difficult for them in future recruiting.  (Lots of discussion about these sorts of things on lacrosse forums like LaxPower.)

For the Ivies, you'll see language about a recruit "committing to the admissions process" at Ivy School X.  That reflects the fact that the coaches at the Ivies have less control over the admissions process (although of course they have significant input) and that the standardized test scores (not available for freshman/sophomores) will be a major part of that equation.

Finally, yes, Division III recruiting generally happens later.  Much more common to see kids focusing on DIII schools in the summer after junior year and committing (for what that's worth) in the fall of senior year.[/quote]

The recent data are challenging some of these points. Our son is one of the "commits to the admissions process" at an Ivy, which basically means he has a preferenced chance of admission if he meets certain academic requirements. The requirements are very high, and if you blow it all bets are off. Also, there are situations where kids who were offered spots have them pulled. This year there is one Landon senior who was a lacrosse commit to UVa, and he didn't hold up in the grades and is out.

Also, there are examples of programs that have a coaching change and rescind the prior coach's commit list. Happened at Penn State couple years ago and is happening now at Cornell. Something to be aware of as a risk.

Basically I think this whole lacrosse thing is a blessing to be able to get your kid favored to be admitted to a good school that he otherwise would not be certain to get into. The scholarship money in lacrosse is also really low...25% of tuition is considered a jackpot. So in many regards, if you can't afford an expensive college, you'll find better luck having some lacrosse coach help with admissions at a school with a great endowment. Financial aid is a better dollars possibility than lacrosse. Then there is the other side...the 15 year olds of course love the status of bei ng a "commit" and the parents love to brag on it too. Is what it is. I just think focus on securing a good college for academics and that is the most you and your kid can see out of this. Nobody is going to make millions in this sport so prepare for a future.[/quote]

Thank you for the info.  Can you be "recruited" to play lax at college, and get the admissions bump, but get no $.  That would be fine by our family.  DS is more interested in playing at the college level, and perhaps getting an admissions bump for a school he might otherwise not get into.  [/quote]

That is an excellent question and this is my answer based on severely limited experience of having one kid in this process. Yes, a school can -- and will -- recruit your son with NO intention of offering money or guarantees. Example: when my son was being recruited by UVa, the carrot offered was admission to a good school followed by the coaches noting we were VA instate and that in of itself is a great bargain. Then when asked back they said your son can be a scholarship kid, but we do the dollars later when we know our budget for scholarship money when he is a senior. Then he will get $1000 to $3000 range expected at that point. We know of one other kid locally who did commit early to UVa and got no money. The chase here is a good school and lacrosse prestige on top. Again, I would not let the economics guide your family as far as scholarship bucks. The coaches know when they are selling a great school and a great lacrosse program, and they know you and your kid are likely buyers of those terms. Just what I think[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics