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This thread will be used to cover the news and discussions of the MadLax Lacrosse Baltimore and Capital (Maryland, DC, Virginia) programs.

Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse Merges with MadLax Lacrosse

(March, 2013)

Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse and MADLAX recently completed a merger that combines both programs. Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse will operate under the MADLAX National program umbrella, with a goal to develop one of the nation’s strongest and most productive club lacrosse platforms and brands. Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse will keep the Rock name and colors and operate as Madlax-Rock of Baltimore. Madlax-Rock will offer all-star teams, camps and clinics for boys ages 8-18. The merger integration is underway and will be completed prior to the start of the summer 2013 season. The merger combines two of the nations most recognized ELITE level club brands.

Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse was founded in 2005. The emphasis for Rock’s establishment was an interest in establishing a Club lacrosse program in the Baltimore/Washington area that offered a team club platform with an added emphasis on position specific team and player development. Kevin Mayer (current Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator at CCBC Catonsville) has been Director of Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse since 2006. Coach Mayer has overseen all aspects of the club operations including the strategic mission and the recruiting platform for the high school players in addition to coaching at the High School ELITE level for Rock Sophomore and Junior teams. Kevin Mayer will remain as Director of Madlax-Rock of Baltimore. The current Rock Coaching Staff(s) and team designations will remain in place.

Madlax was founded in 1996 by current owner Cabell Maddux. Madlax offers all-stars travel teams, camps, clinics, leagues, tournaments and has a retail and online store. Madlax All-Stars teams started competing in 1999 with just one team attending Champ Camp. Today Madlax All-Stars has 14 team within Madlax-Capital, 8 team within Madlax-Florida and 4 teams within Madlax-California that will combine with 10 teams from Madlax-Rock. Madlax-Capital All-Stars have placed over 350 boys into NCAA programs. In 2010 Madlax founded and started the only character development initiative within an elite boys lacrosse club called C.A.S.E (character, attitude, success, effort). In 2009 Madlax started its unique ‘Academy’ concept which offers teaching and positional practice and speed workouts 11 months of the year for all players involved in the Capital All-Stars program.

The merger allows both programs to combine administrative resources while enhancing the ability to focus on the most important aspects of the club lacrosse experience: (1) Individual position specific skills development (2) team skills development (3) advisement in the recruiting process for high school players (4) encouraging confidence for our participants during the player developmental process (5) teaching and mentoring the GAME of LACROSSE . The merger also allows for the scaling of the MADLAX National Team platform, which combines the organizations top talent from all of the Clubs operating under the MADLAX national umbrella. The current MADLAX National umbrella includes 36 teams from: Madlax-Rock-Baltimore, Madlax-Capital, Madlax-Florida, and Madlax-California All Star Teams.

“The growth of the club lacrosse platform risks moving away from development of the position specific skills required to become impact lacrosse players, says Mayer. Under the current platform offered by many club organizations the overriding focus is on the team aspects of player development. Player’s participate with their club teams in the fall, spring (for middle school players), summer and the entire annual platform for development provides an emphasis only on the team components of the game. The risk is young developing players are missing the position specific skills development you need to become an ELITE level lacrosse player. When we were young we went to camps in the summer and learned position specific skills that made us better players. With club becoming a key component for youth and High School lacrosse players many young players are missing out on learning position specific skills. It is not unusual for us to get High School players at our tryouts who do not have basic position specific skills sets they need to succeed at their positions. Rock’s mission has always been to focus on both aspects, although as our program grew the administrative load kept us from scaling the teaching component. Madlax’s vision and mission mirrors ours and hence combining resources with Madlax was a no brainer and allows us to streamline the administrative component while significantly scaling the most important part of the cub experience…TEACHING the GAME of LACROSSE!”

Cabell Maddux, Madlax founder adds, “Kevin Mayer has built a quality and respected program in The Rock and we are excited and honored to combine our resources and knowledge to create an the premier elite travel lacrosse program that will positively impact boys living in the greater Baltimore area. I am most excited about spreading the Academy teaching concept, the CASE initiative and enhancing the quality of lacrosse played on the field by Madlax-Rock teams and especially the Madlax National Teams. Our National Teams will provide a unique opportunity for a boy from San Francisco, CA to play on the same outstanding team with a boy from Naples, Fl, McLean, VA, Bethesda, MD and Baltimore, MD. That will be a fun and memorable experience for our Madlax players from across the country!”

Rock will be integrating the Academy based training platform currently in place with Madlax along with the CASE program immediately. The national team platform will start at u13 and go through rising seniors each summer and fall. It provides an opportunity to streamline the recruiting organization at the High School level, provide Middle School players an opportunity to roll out age based National teams, while incentivizing all Madlax players to work to make these teams while combining TOP players from different regions.

A new robust Madlax website will launch in the next few weeks and all the national programs will be included in the new site. Madlax will be exploring further opportunities to add new travel programs to the national platform.

Chesapeake Rock College Commitments

Rock Lacrosse would like to extend gratulations and recognition to our current committed players from our 2015, 2014 and 2013 classes. WE HAVE ADDED SOME UPDATES. See commitment summary below:

2013

Michael LeClair* Mt. Saint Joseph High School Attack High Point University
James Tautkus TAFT School Attack Cornell University
Ryan Drenner* Westminster High School Attack Towson University
Adam Huber Mt. Hebron High School Attack Canisius University
Robbie Dunnigan Landon School Attack Colgate University
Michael Mayer*/** St. Paul's School Defense Georgetown University
Connor Duffy** Choate Defense Lehigh University
AJ Fradkin St. Paul's School Defense UMBC
Jamie McLamb Mt. Hebron High School Defense McDaniel College
Austin Simpson Westminster High School Defense Mercer University
Teddy Chase* Winters Mill High School Defense Salisbury University
Tom Carroll Calvert Hall High School Defense Quinnipiac University
Joey Giarnnas St. Mark's High School Midfield Lynchburg College
Mark Darden** Glenelg High School Midfield Hobart University
Greg Sheetz Boys Latin High School Midfield Hobart Uiversity
Casey Rees Boys Latin High School Midfield Navy
Dylan McDermott**South Carroll High School Midfield UMBC
Ben Linkous St. Paul's High School Midfield UMBC
Anthony Pagnotta** Glenelg High School FOGO Towson University
Mike D'Amelio St. Paul's School FOGO Dennison University
Greg Louzan St. Paul's School Midfield St. Mary's College
DJ Plummer Kent Island High School Midfield Navy

2014

Jason Ashwood Hereford High School Attack High Point
John Guiffreda* Kent Island High School Attack Loyola University
Bailey Martin Salesianum High School Attack Vermont University
Mikey Wynne** St. Paul's High School Attack Cornell University
Johnny Surdick Dematha High School Defense Army
Ryan Hursey Westminster High School Midfield Georgetown University
Tyler Wasson Glenelg High School Midfield Navy
Greyson Torrain Dematha High School Midfield Navy
Nathan Howard St.Johns High School Midfield Vermont University
Brett Malamphy Arundel High School Midfield UMBC

2015

Carter Flaig St. Paul's School Attack Princeton University
Robert Clark McDonogh School Attack Georgetown University
Sean Carter Mt. St. Joseph HS Attack Mercer University

Is the Madlax Rock team that is going to the TriLax tournament a U15 or a 2017 team? They are entered in the rising 9th AA bracket. The only team they have listed on their website is U15AA MadLax Rock. If this is the same team that is going to TriLax they are automatically too old. It is supposed to be a rising 9th AA bracket, not a U15 Bracket.

It is my understanding that Madlax Rock U15 AA team is composed of mostly 2017 gradiating players with some 2018. They are therefore mostly rising 9th graders.

Play down much? Shocker....

I think you are assuming the use of multiple "A"'s combined with U15 implies there are rising sophmores on the team.

If the team is mostly 2017 with a few 2018's aren't they in the correct division?

Interesting Blog from Deadspin

saw this posted somewhere else and had to share

This is simply an incredible series of e-mails and provides an extreme example of everything that coaching youth sports should not encompass.

Whether this sequence of e-mails has been editted in any form is secondary to some of the language used by Coach Cabell Maddux including:

• You have no clue how this lacrosse world works. Wow. You have really screwed him. And by the way it is a big deal and I will let every one of his teammates know. His teammates will hate him for years for quitting and playing for a rival club. Trust me on that.
• If I had any clue which I didn't until right now I would have kicked his butt off the team for not being committed. I dont need Ryan or your craziness. I would much rather work with a kid who is tough and grateful.
• Hey ungrateful quitter....
  Your former teammates and coaches, who hate you now, can't wait to get a piece of you Saturday when we play vlc.

Surely, this requires more exposure and commentary from the community.

Related articles and industry commentary :

Is Cabell Maddux The Bobby Knight of DC LAX? (Warning : Adult Content, Viewer Discretion Advised)

Facebook Deadspin Group Regarding Article

Really interested in what sort of response is generated from the Madlax organization as well as the individual coach.

I am more interested to see how many players and parents are willing to stay with that organization? The Rock in Baltimore is no better. That merger of clubs was a match made in heaven (or [lacrosse])

I'm surprised this isn't getting more attention.

If this were a Football or Basketball coach the story would likely be covered on ESPN

I am surprised by the lack of convesation on this topic within the lacrosse community

I hope he steps away from Youth lacrosse...his partner at Rock isn't much better...that is a program in decline IMO...better options in Maryland (Crab, Breakers, FCA, Greene Turtle)