Originally Posted by Anonymous
I agree with you when you say until you knock off the champ, you can't call yourself the champ. And the YJ Blue teams consistently win, it's that simple.
Correct. If we are going to discuss the competitive landscape, the Yellow Jackets Blue teams are the "Albertson" (from soccer) of the lacrosse world on Long Island for many very good reasons. From club organization to player recruitment, the Yellow Jackets have consistently provided the strongest option and therefore attracted the strongest players.

Originally Posted by Anonymous
But perhaps YJ events are avoided by other Long Island clubs because people are tired of the way the YJs handle themselves on and off the field?
This is where our points of view diverge.

If you can point to specific coaching or club issues related to the Yellow Jackets, sure, those would be in-scope for discussion. However, most of the discussion to date has been about parent sideline issues and such which are not always under the remit of the club itself and to be honest are mostly hearsay.

There is certainly an aspect to the Yellow Jackets mission which is highly competitive at the top levels. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but one has to respect the program for the quality of the product put on the field at the top levels.

Originally Posted by Anonymous
You think Carol Rose wished Shannon Smith (a YJ alumn) good luck when Shannon formed Top Guns?
There are two issues going on in this observation : the first is business, the second is personal. Now, if anyone is running a business, quality competition is a challenge that has to be met. The Top Guns present that type of challenge and the Jackets do not need to stand up and welcome competition into the market. That is more than fair - and very business oriented.

Understand that there is competition for players between clubs. Obviously, everyone wants the best possible talent inside their clubs as that tends to feed upon itself as the club grows. Business competition threatens dominant positions if the challenge offers something niche or unique. The market is the ultimate arbitor of just that.

The second issue is personal : yes, BOTC does believe that there is respect between the top club coaches as players and ambassadors of the game. Whether this overshadows the business issues or is overshadowed by the business issues comes down to the personalities and situations involved.

Originally Posted by Anonymous
Also, YJ Blue teams are terrific. Gold and Green teams are not close to the level of Blue.
Not sure of the relevance of this comment but regardless of sport and club, there will always be a top ranked group with others that follow. Not exactly sure that we have broken new ground here.