Cmon guys let’s get back to a more constructive forum no that everyone got their insults in. Just a question regarding YJ and college camps as we are a new family to the sport. Does YJ sponsor and of those college recruiting camps like Igloo ( i think Igloo calls it Eite 80) ? Also, what year would you suggest going to these college clinics and camps given current environment? Fresh/ sophomore year of HS?
You can see the three they sponsor at lielitelax.com.
I have a 2021 in the process, her experience might be a bit different from 2022s and younger as she was able to get good feedback from several programs before the rules changed. I would start with #2 summer entering freshman year.
1. I would start with a club team where you get as even playing time as possible during showcase events. If your daughter is a top player, that is less of a concern. Championship events might be uneven, but those are few and far between after 8th grade.
2. This might be the toughest part, but the more realistic you are about the level of lacrosse and academics your daughter is fit for, the better off everyone will be along the way and at the end. This is really important. If she is clearly not one of the best players on the field against good competition then do your self and your daughter a favor and concentrate your time and money at the right level. Top 10 lax schools are probably not realistic so move on and focus elsewhere. If she has a huge jump in level after entering high school, you can adjust and still be seen.
3. Next I would identify 10-15 schools and evaluate for fit across multiple dimensions (there are guides online to assist you). Look at size, location, distance from home, weather, academic ability to be accepted, academic rating of your intended major, lax ability to play, etc. If possible, visit campus. Important question, if she quit lacrosse for any reason, would she still love being at that school? Also important, unless you have a very tenured coach, do not decide on a program based solely on the head coach and certainly not assistants as they can move fairly frequently. Affordability, most D1 non-ivy schools will give top recruits 25%-50%. Yes, a few get more and if you have her, you already know. Some will get less, you need to know what you can afford. If you are under $150k in family income, additional needs based aid can be substantial. Most schools have calculators on their website where you can model what need based aid might look like.
4. Based on fit, I would target individual camps for schools on the list, smaller the better. You generally need to be on their radar to get seen at a 200-400 person camp.
5. Then I would target smaller mixed college id camps, only the smaller ones that have several coaches that are on your list.
6. Get 3-5 minute video, anything longer and it is a waste.
7. Send e-mails to coaches before the camps as well as showcases and summer/fall club. Send your video with the e-mails.
8. If you are a top 50 lax school recruit, through summer and fall entering your Soph year, your club coach should have received general interest e-mails from coaches interested in you. Consider more events with those schools, particularly if they are on your list. Do not be discouraged if your dream schools did not contact the coach, you still have time to be seen.
9. From what I have heard from 2020s, you will get calls on 9/1 throughout the day from interested schools. If you do not hear from top DI school s by then, I would move on quickly. For lower DI you have the fall to get picked-up. Same for D2 and D3, you have more time. Most did not male offers on the spot, came during or after visits. Again, some exceptions I am sure.
10. If you do hear from the schools, go visit top 5-7, officially if possible, on your own dime when necessary.
Sorry for the length, hope it helps....
