Having watched SP and Loyola dominate the A Conference in pre-2000 decades, getting a Program to the spot where CHC is right now is about three things: 1) recruiting enough (4-6 per year potential blue chippers), who are the right kind of kids (from the right kind of families), 2) putting an experienced staff of coaches together (great coordinators: OC and DC, a face off coach, a goalie coach and several other young but knowledgeable assistants. Encouraging young coaches to bring modern concepts into the Program without upsetting the apple cart and 3) Creating competition at every position: being 2 and even 3 deep at every position makes every practice better competition than most games. Ask the alums of the dominant Programs of yesteryear (SP and LB) and they'll tell you to a man, practice was much harder than games. Healthy competition, playing with the best, excellent instruction and the toughest League in the country were and are a great recipe for a premier Program.

Look CHC has always wanted to be great at lacrosse and were often very good, just not this consistantly: The Cards always had a ton of kids, etc. What has changed is the following: 1) better and deeper coaching staff, 2) more developed regional and even national recruiting and 3) a new weight room (don't under estimate the impact a good weight training program can have on both a football and lacrosse program).

In closing, don't be envious, learn from the Cards to the extent possible and improve upon the standard they set.