So… You Want To Play Lacrosse In COLLEGE? H e o m n a o g r the updated as of June 15, 2013 113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21210 | 410.235.6882 | uslacrosse.org 1 H e o m n a o g r the Table Of Contents Letter from US Lacrosse – Women’s Game ..............................................................1 Chapter 1: Grades and Character .........................................................................2 Chapter 2: Opportunities by the numbers ..............................................................3 Chapter 3: College Checklist – what questions to ask ...............................................4 Chapter 4: Financial Aid, Loans and Scholarships .................................................7 Chapter 5: NCAA Recruiting Rules Summary ........................................................8 Chapter 6: Recruiting U: the series from Lacrosse Magazine ....................................11 Chapter 7: Articles, Resources, Links and more…. ..................................................13 Chapter 8: Coaches Directory ..............................................................................14 College Coaches (NCAA, WCLA, NAIA, NJCAA) On behalf of US Lacrosse, it is my sincere pleasure to introduce you to our college recruiting handbook, “So... You want to play lacrosse in college?” In recent years, college recruiters have accelerated the timeline and created recruiting formulas that are unique to them. The direction of the college lacrosse recruiting process has led to confusion by some, frustration to others and leaves everyone guessing. The intent of this handbook is to present hard facts, dispel the myths, and to promote the essentials. It is important for recruits and their families to understand that you are in charge and it is up to you to find the right fit academically, athletically, socially, and geographically. See the BIG PICTURE! If lacrosse is taken out of the equation; would this be the right school for you? The handbook contains a baseline of facts that all colleges must adhere to and every recruit should know. The handbook addresses practices that are believed to be true, but are outside the guidelines of college recruiting. Finally, the handbook emphasizes two constants that every coach looks for in her recruits. Simply stated, coaches are looking for young women of exemplary character and a strong academic profile. I believe you will find this information invaluable as a starting point and a reference source throughout your process. Please feel free to offer any comments, as we will continue to update the text to keep current with the times. Sincerely, Nancy Haws, Coaches Subcommittee Chair US Lacrosse, Women’s Game US Lacrosse | 113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21210 | 410.235.6882 | uslacrosse.org 2 H e o m n a o g r the CHAPTER 1: Grades and Character Taking that next step after high school is a lot of work, but it can extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Before the college search begins, there are important questions that you need to be prepared to answer…. 1) How important is the sport to you? • What kind of time commitment do you want to play lacrosse? (DI, DII, DIII, WCLA, etc.) • How will the sport impact your goals for college and beyond? • What type of player personality do I have? i. What type of impact will I make? ii. Am I willing to wait to play? iii. What role am I willing to play? 2) What are your grades like? • How hard do you work in school? • What did you get on your SAT/ACT’s? • What kind of classes are you taking? There are also a few questions the student athlete should ask herself…. 1) What are my goals for my college lacrosse experience? 2) What are my goals for my college education? 3) What are my goals for life after college? For the college bound athlete, it is imperative that you focus on your academics as well as your athletics. • Plan your course load early! Grades need to be maintained all throughout high school. • Transcripts need to be more transparent ahead of time. NCAA Clearinghouse: http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp US Lacrosse | 113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21210 | 410.235.6882 | uslacrosse.org 3 H e o m n a o g r the CHAPTER 2: Inside The Numbers - 2013 Number of collegiate lacrosse programs in existence: DI DII DIII WCLA NAIA NJCAA Women’s Game 107 77 243 230 9 17 By the #’s - Women’s Game • High school women’s lacrosse players: 112,865 • Average roster size: 27 • NCAA – mandated maximum number of scholarships per program (over four years): 12 at D I, 9.9 at DII • Average scholarships per program per year: 3 • Average players per recruiting class: 9 • Average estimated scholarships: 33 percent • Fully funded programs: 50 • Total scholarships available: 780 • Players receiving some scholarship over four years: 2,363 • Odds of any high school female landing any Division I scholarship: 2 percent Sources: NCAA, USL data from 2011-12 and estimated projections based on Lacrosse Magazine research. Just some of the facts…. • For Division I schools, more than 110,000 high school players compete for about 700 spots each year. Many players and parents operate under the misconception that both opportunity in the Division I level and athletic scholarships are readily available. Less than half of the players Division I or Division II receive any athletic scholarship money in their first year, and the concept of a “full ride” has all but vanished with very few exceptions. • The NCAA allows each Division I lacrosse program 12 scholarships to be split among the entire team in one year. In Division II, there is the maximum number of 9.9 scholarships to be used by a program. However, many schools do not award the full allotment of athletic scholarships to a program, either because of league or institutional rules that don’t allow athletic scholarships (ex. The Ivy League), or a choice to use available institutional funds elsewhere. • How scholarship money is used depends on the coach’s philosophy and the positional needs of the program each year. In a recruiting class of nine, some coaches may offer scholarship to four of those players and not to the remaining five, while other coaches may offer small amounts of scholarship to all nine players. There is no set designation of how scholarship must be given so asking the coach their philosophy is essential. And a reminder, DIII scholarships are based on academic merit and financial need, and no athletic scholarships are available. • The opportunity to “walk-on” to a team at the Division I level varies greatly by program. Some coaches will honor recruits for spots on their roster before they will accept walk-on players, while other coaches will present equal opportunity to try-out for the team during the first week of school. You need to discuss all the options with each prospective school. US Lacrosse | 113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21210 | 410.235.6882 | uslacrosse.org 4 H e o m n a o g r the CHAPTER 3: Player/College Checklist Below is a list of categories and questions that can help the players and parents review and determine what program is best for the future of their daughter when comparing colleges as they narrow down their selection…. CATEGORY School 1 School 2 Academic Is the school a fully accredited, highly-rated institution? Does the school have a good reputation academically? Does the school offer majors of interest to me? Would I be able to get my degree in four years? Are my grades and test scores good enough to gain admission? Does the school fit with my academic ability? Does the athletic department provide an academic support program for student athletes? Is the coach made aware of the student-athletes’ academic standing on a regular basis? Does the athletic department pay for any tutoring I may need? Does the athletic department have a study hall program for student athletes? Does the school have their own academic requirements to play, outside of the NCAA guidelines? Can I be a successful student AND athlete in my preferred major? (e.g. Engineering, Medicine, etc.) What are the coach's expectations regarding certain majors, science labs, and mandatory participation? Does the school give student-athletes’ first choice for classes? Does the coaching staff assist the student-athletes with forming class schedules? Can I pursue study abroad opportunities? Do athletes typically have to stay on campus for summer school if they want to graduate in 4 years? If I got injured and couldn’t play lacrosse; would I be happy at this school? Lacrosse Has the school offered me a scholarship? Will the school take away my scholarship if I get hurt and cannot play? Will the school take away my scholarship if I don’t play well? US Lacrosse | 113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21210 | 410.235.6882 | uslacrosse.org 5 H e o m n a o g r the CHAPTER 3: Player/College Checklist (continued) CATEGORY School 1 School 2 Lacrosse (continued) How much will it cost me to go to school on top of the scholarship? Do I want to play for the current coaching staff? Does the current roster leave room for my position? Is there a separate travel and practice team? Does the school have a club team? Will I get an opportunity to play? Does my style of play fit with the schools style of play? Am I good enough to play there? Does the school have a good reputation in lacrosse? Does the team play a tough schedule? Is this a winning program? How does the team travel by, bus or plane? Do players need to fundraise for preseason trips? Does the school have a structured strength and conditioning program? Does the school have the facilities that will help me get better? Does this program insist I apply Early Decision? Does this coach cut recruited players? Does this coach cut upperclassmen from the team? Does this school provide laundry service for practice and/or game gear? Does this program allow walk-ons? Would I want to play here if the coach leaves? If I get injured, who is responsible for the medical bills? Social Would I get along with players currently on the team? Are sporting events like football and basketball games a big part of campus life? Does everyone stay on campus during the weekends? If lacrosse wasn’t in the picture, would I want to go to this school? US Lacrosse | 113 W.