My 2022 was selected for UA150 & also participated last year. Sadly these comments aren't too surprising as lax parents are often salty when their child isn't the "chosen" one. The number of participants has increased substantially because players are talking about what an amazing experience it is. Its amusing but expected to hear folks call it a money grab. It is free to apply & if you're lucky enough to be selected you then pay entry fee which IMO is worth every cent. Although the swag bag is worth the entry fee alone (including a new stick) that is secondary to the exposure girls get to coaches as well as meeting/competing against talented peers from across the country. It speaks volumes of a player's ability when she is able to adapt quickly (or not) to unfamiliar players & coaching styles. The 2019 roster is public & its refreshing to see multiple club teams mentioned not just the familiar power house. Your comment about few M&D players is misleading there are quite a few although, for whatever reason, too many of you see them as the litmus test. In addition, the 2020 coaches is public and many are highly competitive programs and respected academic institutions. Sour grapes to frown upon 2019 attendees as not quality. To suggest the younger girls don't get "noticed" is inaccurate and obnoxious. My 2022 had a handful of coaches from UA150 seek her out this year at President's Cup as a result of her participation over the summer. Moreover, players get a chance to work with coaches intimately in a fast paced environment because they coaching staff changes throughout the two days. Personally, I believe coaches get a unique perspective to evaluate players when they are out of their comfort zone and have to make quick decisions when under pressure w/o the benefit of knowing teammates for years. My daughter is not "connected", neither my husband nor myself have played lacrosse much less coach and she doesn't play for M&D. She is an excellent athlete with a positive attitude and coachable so I assure you she earned roster spot. Please stop poisoning the well just because your daughter wasn't selected you're nothing but a disgruntled malcontent with a fragile ego. Congratulations to the 2022/23 players that were selected its a great experience.
Originally Posted by Anonymous
My 2022 was selected for UA150 & also participated last year. Sadly these comments aren't too surprising as lax parents are often salty when their child isn't the "chosen" one. The number of participants has increased substantially because players are talking about what an amazing experience it is. Its amusing but expected to hear folks call it a money grab. It is free to apply & if you're lucky enough to be selected you then pay entry fee which IMO is worth every cent. Although the swag bag is worth the entry fee alone (including a new stick) that is secondary to the exposure girls get to coaches as well as meeting/competing against talented peers from across the country. It speaks volumes of a player's ability when she is able to adapt quickly (or not) to unfamiliar players & coaching styles. The 2019 roster is public & its refreshing to see multiple club teams mentioned not just the familiar power house. Your comment about few M&D players is misleading there are quite a few although, for whatever reason, too many of you see them as the litmus test. In addition, the 2020 coaches is public and many are highly competitive programs and respected academic institutions. Sour grapes to frown upon 2019 attendees as not quality. To suggest the younger girls don't get "noticed" is inaccurate and obnoxious. My 2022 had a handful of coaches from UA150 seek her out this year at President's Cup as a result of her participation over the summer. Moreover, players get a chance to work with coaches intimately in a fast paced environment because they coaching staff changes throughout the two days. Personally, I believe coaches get a unique perspective to evaluate players when they are out of their comfort zone and have to make quick decisions when under pressure w/o the benefit of knowing teammates for years. My daughter is not "connected", neither my husband nor myself have played lacrosse much less coach and she doesn't play for M&D. She is an excellent athlete with a positive attitude and coachable so I assure you she earned roster spot. Please stop poisoning the well just because your daughter wasn't selected you're nothing but a disgruntled malcontent with a fragile ego. Congratulations to the 2022/23 players that were selected its a great experience.
Not sure who you are specifically responding to but as someone who did give my feedback, let me respond. Someone originally asked about the value of attending the UA150 and I responded not only as a parent of a 2021 player who participated both last year and the year prior but also as a club coach for a well respected Baltimore area club (not M&D) for the past 10 years.
First of all, as a parent I didn't think it was worth it. We participated both years because my daughter wanted to - plain and simple. I don't see the value for the high price of admittance. Sure it was a fun experience but if you are looking at choices for recruiting events, your money is better spent at prospect days and clinics at the individual schools your daughter is interested in. Sure the application is free but you still have to pay to participate. And for the two days worth, it is a high price compared to college's week long camps or the UA All American Underclass Tournament (which my daughter has also participated in). There weren't that many coaches in attendance for the cost and the feedback I have received from some college coaches I personally know from my years of coaching is they don't really consider this a true top 150 list. They see it as a marketing title. The selection process is flawed and the college coaches know it. This is an application based event. And part of that application is getting a score from their coaches after the applications are submitted. This is separate from the coach's recommendation within the application. Coaches don't know who else outside of their program is applying and don't always have to be honest in their score/assessment. They can give a score of 5 (which is the highest) when actually the player is really a 3 or 4 compared to others who have applied. The coach will submit a higher score to appease a parent, club director or to make their program look better (with more attendees). It's not a true evaluation of a player compared to her peers on a field by a group of independent coaches who evaluate based on performance. And as far as your comment about seeing how girls adapt to new situations, that would be the same scenario at every camp, clinic, prospect day or showcase they would attend. This wouldn't be any different. If anything, the application process doesn't allow them to use this in their evaluation. Coaches would rather see a player at their school interacting with their entire coaching staff and team to see how they connect on the field and socially with their entire program. The reality is they will be joining an established team/family and not an entire team of new players like you are stating. My daughter has done the Under Armour Tournament and some other multi-coach recruiting events where the same coaches that attend the UA150 also attend and I believe this is a better value for the money. All are money grabs to some degree but the best value and best evaluated program by far is the UA AA Underclass Tournament. These players have been truly vetted for a day or sometimes two by a group of on field mostly independent coaches. These girls than participate in a callback game at the end of the evaluation where they are further evaluated. These are the girls who are truly the top players in their age group. It's harder for politics to play a role through this process. Many more college coaches attend this tournament and are able to watch the girls on the field vs a combine type event. You can have the fastest shot speed but if you don't have field IQ to maneuver around the best defenders and goalies in your age group than you won't be successful.
As a coach for the 2022 age group I have been very surprised to see which girls have been extended invitations and which ones were waitlisted. It doesn't coincide with who I know to be the best players in this age group. The players and coaches will know this to be true once the 2020 list is published. The evaluation process will need to be adjusted moving forward to include checks and balances if this tournament wants to truly be seen as a Top 150.
Thank you both, two excellent posts.
The one constant in this sport is bitter, disgruntled and delusional parents. When their daughter is not recognized they simply can not take it. I doesn't matter if it is UA 150 (which as you say is not the top 150) UA Underclass, School Girls etc... if their daughter is not selected they are bitter and try do diminish the selection process, the event and the players who were selected.
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