I've been around the DMV club scene as a parent and coach for a long time, and without shooting negatives at any one club or prep school, there is something important most people including Ty Xanders don't get. Some early verbals are outstanding players including many Turtles, but some are not. Those aren't diamonds in the rough, they are non-impact recruits. What is a non-impact recruit? Think Rudy in the Notre Dame movie. Here in the DMV you have clubs who need commits to survive and attract the next generation of competitive kids and parents. Some of the top lacrosse prep schools here have less than 100 kids per grade and 25 per grade who want to play D1 lacrosse and it is not too cynical to suggest enrollment would be hurt at these over $25K a year schools. College coaches are in a great position when pushy club or prep coach calls begging for him to take a player they think little of IF 1. It is made clear the family will pay full freight, 2. It is made clear the kid will be a walk-on and may even need to tryout to stay on the roster, 3. It is made clear the kid and family will be fulfilled to be a 4 year practice player with realistic hopes of getting into a blowout or two like Rudy, and 4. The kid plays for a club and goes to a prep school that will develop him into a good college practice player and maybe more as a pleasant surprise.
The DMV fills college roster benches with these kids by the bushel every year. For Dom Starsia and the rest it is like nothing down financing for what may be a useful player and they get a free option.
