Has the new chapter had any affect on the Anne Arundel clubs?

LMAO

You really felt the need to start your own forum, eh? Funny.

Who?

I'll take these as a "no." Very insightful though.

All I know is they had a good showing and beat looney's; I would be interested in seeing how they do moving forward.

LMAO

Looney's at what age?

What was the score and was it one-sided or a close game?

That was the True Atlantic team which is a different animal all together. An AllStar team that plays on various other club teams. This is like the old ACS team. The True MD teams would not beat Looney's or come close to it. Different players.

Who beat Looneys? Are you talking about some True National Team playing Orange? Which year?

And if people are talking about the 23 game, that game was back and forth with Looneys leading several times throughout the game. The final was (IIRC) 9-6 after one of the beast middies on True Atlantic scored 2 or 3 on incredible contested outside shots.

And yeah, none of those kids play on True Annapolis. Although some of them play on the Crabs, as well as at least 4 who play for Looneys.

How long before True starts demanding their Atlantic players start to play for the local chapters? Or before parents make that choice on their own? Sounds like they are making an impact.

True Atlantic was VERY clear (explicitly, in writing) that they are not a club replacement team. They expect players to remain with their local club team.

You can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.

If the True coaches and parents making this thread have a message to get out to people, just say it. Stop with the fake back and forth

That is very funny. Have you seen the True MD teams? The Crabs, Hawks, Looney kids playing would not play for the old Wolfpack now True MD team. Night and Day. But the funny part about your post is the idea that a club can demand anything? Who runs who? Parents are being asked to play for this team they are not under any pressure whatsoever to move to a bad team in order to make the name on the helmet more relevant. If anything the True True MD parents should be mad none of their kids play on the True All star team.

It's going to get shut down by other clubs. Why would you let your best players play for another team?

The top TriState kid in NJ broke his leg playing for True last spring and missed the entire summer. TriState lost all their top players but one. It sent a very bad message that they would allow their top players to play for another club, people moved to other clubs.

[/quote]If the True coaches and parents making this thread have a message to get out to people, just say it. Stop with the fake back and forth[/quote]
It's going to get shut down by other clubs. Why would you let your best players play for another team?

The top TriState kid in NJ broke his leg playing for True last spring and missed the entire summer. TriState lost all their top players but one. It sent a very bad message that they would allow their top players to play for another club, people moved to other clubs.
[/quote]

True coaches and parents didn't make this thread, I did. I was really just curious if the new chapter had any affect on other clubs in AA county.

But the TriState poster's comment is what I was referring to. It reads as if people were upset at their own club and left because of 1 bad accident? Sounds ridiculous but I was talking about just the local chapter in AA.

No it's not. Very few clubs have the pull (or the year round constant schedule) to demand top players don't play on All Star and/or showcase teams. True Atlantic has (or has had) kids from top programs in Maryland, Long Island, PA and elsewhere.



I'm neither an active True coach or parent. My son did play one tournament on a True "National" team, but doesn't currently. But he was invited to tryout for the True Atlantic team. The registration site was explicit...the team expects kids to remain with and prioritize their current club teams.

My son is a 2024. When is the tryout? anyone know what 2-3 tourneys they are considering in 2020.

The top clubs, NLF level, have and more will put their foot down and not allow their players to play for Ture.

It's going to get shut down by other clubs. Why would you let your best players play for another team?

The top TriState kid in NJ broke his leg playing for True last spring and missed the entire summer. TriState lost all their top players but one. It sent a very bad message that they would allow their top players to play for another club, people moved to other clubs.
[/quote]

True coaches and parents didn't make this thread, I did. I was really just curious if the new chapter had any affect on other clubs in AA county.

But the TriState poster's comment is what I was referring to. It reads as if people were upset at their own club and left because of 1 bad accident? Sounds ridiculous but I was talking about just the local chapter in AA.
[/quote]

Just to be very clear, the injury to the tri state player was awful, and he is a great kid, but that is not why the top kids left tri state

[/quote]The top clubs, NLF level, have and more will put their foot down and not allow their players to play for Ture. [/quote]

But what if your kid doesn't and wants that experience? There are really good players on other teams in AA or surrounding counties without the means to play in larger tournaments.

Will switching to True local provide them a leg up? I know the True Baltimore team isn't very good but wonder if the AA county chapter will follow the same path. I don't have any experience in this regard but seems to make sense.

Keep telling yourself that; not every club is run like Crabs.

We are talking apples and oranges. The True Atlantic kids from 2023 are HS players. Many will play for clubs, HS, UA, USL National team, showcases, NLF is starting a showcase team, and yes an All Star team like True. The clubs do not have the leverage to deny a kid who is really good and want to play more lacrosse. They will not cut a HS kid who plays for a few teams. This has been the case in the past. As far as other kids from AA county who would make True the primary team? Maybe, but not at 2023. True will have to compete with Hawks and others. When clubs start kids at 2nd grade, kids will move several clubs by HS. In some years True may land a strong team. It is mostly about a group of friends and parents who decide to go join the same club together. This has nothing to do with the All star team True Atlantic.

The top clubs, NLF level, have and more will put their foot down and not allow their players to play for Ture. [/quote]

But what if your kid doesn't and wants that experience? There are really good players on other teams in AA or surrounding counties without the means to play in larger tournaments.

Will switching to True local provide them a leg up? I know the True Baltimore team isn't very good but wonder if the AA county chapter will follow the same path. I don't have any experience in this regard but seems to make sense.
[/quote]

As for the top clubs putting their foot down, not necessarily. If it is a kid that they really want, they will let them play for the national teams so long as there is not a conflict. As for the advantage playing for True locally, it may get you a little more exposure with the club, but the majority of the kids on True Atlantic play for other clubs.

The True National Atlantic- TNA supplements play for the top more athletic players who want to play with players they competed against during the season to now be on the same team. It may not be for everyone. Then True National Atlantic is an exceptional program with very good coaches from various states. The concept is NOT to take your boys away from playing on their primary club team. Actually it’s pretty clear that your primary club comes first. Having club owners like king crab that demand you play for Crabs only and only his tourneys is a disgrace. Yet he will ask players from different teams to stack his team and his team still loses. Just because you have a so called all star team does not guarantee wins and success. Bring it in NLF. I’m sure king crab is behind it. The TNA 2023 team will beat any NLF team or all star team. Not certain how far the entire TNA program will go but I do know the TNA 2023 team is elite for sure. My son plays for his primary club and then TNA 2023 and all has worked out beautifully for him to play the game with boys throughout the country. Great experience and building friendships. That’s what the game should all be about.

No kid on the True Atlantic team (which is only 2023) plays for True Maryland, and none that I know of would play for a possible True Annapolis 2023 team. As for the other True National teams...those teams vary in skill level, and generally attempt to match a team to appropriate tournaments. There have been some very good "Black" (highest level) teams at 2023 over the past few years. "Green" teams have been generally good, although in part against lower level teams. I'm not sure about the Black teams, but True Maryland kids have played on several Green level teams and continue to do so. I think being on the local Maryland (Fallston/Bel Air) or Annapolis teams certainly gives kids a much better chance of making a True National team.

Time to move on from your son not making the Crabs. Grow up ! You come across as envious and a owner of stock in True. It is High School now and all your moaning and groaning and TNA 2023 being the greatest team ever ( LOL) ,......will be going away this year as talent becomes the number one factor.

TNA 2023 has Crabs players on the roster.....has since the team was formed.

2020 Club Lacrosse Nationals Champions 2026 True National Mid Atlantic

Not Annapolis and bad competition. Sorry Annapolis Dad

Bad competition??? We beat 3D which is a national team, Stealth FL who was awesome, and the Georgia Tigers. I'd like to see your team beat these three powerhouses in one weekend.

Was this a baseball tournament, Georgia Tigers & Stealth powerhouses?

Nice try LC. Or is this KT?

Are you guys talking girls lacrosse?

True will be 1 and done! Lots of unhappy parents. Total money grab.

"People talk about what they fear"

I believe Madlax fielded a national team in this tournament as well and lost 5-4 in the semi's to the team True National ended up beating 8-1 in the finals. If Madlax is what everyone says they are; which is a top club team/program then I think the True National team has some legitimacy to it.

Who? I looked for them on the US Lacrosse Top 25 for the 2026 bracket and dont see them

Yeah because those are accurate.....lol

National teams are rarely better than the local club teams. It is not like they have an open tryout with hundred's of players trying out and picked the top players in the nation. It is more like they could not get all the parents of a local club to pay for a winter trip to FL so they combine a team with the parents with the most frequent flyer miles available but these kids may not have ever played together. Beating a "national" team does not mean much.

+1

Maybe... but dominating Stealth and the GA Tigers does. Those are both top level teams!

No they aren't. Was there and they both would get worked in Elite HoCO division...

If you think that they are good wins then just be happy with it...no need to come on the board and crow about it, you know what the reaction is going to be

National Teams are all joke.... Complete Money Grab, way to field a team when you want to make $ and don't have enough kids.... Put any National Team in the HOCO Elite Division and they will get destroyed.

HoCo is right around the corner. Keep telling your boys to focus on development. It’s going to be a great season! It’s the true measuring stick as to how good your team is or is not.

HOCO is our summer. Nothing like it.

Is True National or Annapolis or Maryland still around? They have zero information on their site related to contact information or schedules or upcoming events.

Maybe it’s because they are that elite. Don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Or maybe not.

True is a dumpster fire. One and done! Watch..

True has a solid roster and will be very competitive this spring.

In what division?

Little Tykes 3rd tier .

Why is True Annapolis 2024 playing in the single A bracket at Hogan this spring? I thought it was a AA program according to the thread.

Not the 24 or 27 teams

See you guys at 9am on the 15th for Spring Thaw

Make the Hawks streak 2 after that one.

2026 Spring Thaw first game of True vs Hawks should be a good snap shot of upcoming Hoco season. Will the Hawks basically in tact roster pick up from where they left off last summer? Will the fine compliment of strong players that True picked up in the summer make their first statement mand defeat last year’s Hoco Champ? Win or loose will be the final line but it will be interesting to see how these two strong programs stack up against each other in competition.

Strong players??? Hawks win easily. Elite team vs AAA team. End of story.

0-9 Diamondbacks plus 3 former Hawks is not what you call strong
Lets remind those Diamondback parents and coaches that Hawks defensemen were playing attack and scoring with long poles

The 2026 Hawks are the Cobra Kai Dojo from the original “Karate Kid” movie.

Is USS joining True this year or next? ie is USS having their own tryouts or will it be True?

I dont think the Eastern Shore rec kids that True beat up on yesterday will be trying out

Where else are they going to find competition similar to their summer tournament schedule.

What age was that? I thought USS and True were still separate entities until next year(?).

Can anyone confirm the True Annapolis teams will be their "A" teams and the True shore teams (former USS) will be the "B" teams? I heard this from a notoriously unreliable source.

If true, why Annapolis? I don't understand the True philosophy, there aren't enough elite kids to have 4-5 teams from one club in MD.

Familiarize yourself with what Multi-level marketing means

Even without the cynical take re: $$$ (totally valid), it doesn't make sense from a lacrosse standpoint.

None of it makes sense. But hey, at least their kids can prance around in "True National Prospect" pinnies even if they can't make the only A team in Annapolis.

Outside of the USS teams I haven't seen any of the True teams that are above A play in tournament in MD. for better or worse they seem to be filling a hole in the South and East MD area of full year select teams.

I for one, feel bad for the families who bought into the True Annapolis debacle. Some folks will believe anything you tell them I guess.

Some folks have nowhere left to go

Heck, True Annapolis withdrew from Summer Exposure AA for worry of being totally embarrassed and were replaced by True’s premiere club out of Illinois. The result? Illinois True went 1 and 3. Had Annapolis not withdrawn would they have been able to keep their losses under 5 or 10 points per game based upon the performance of the team they shipped in from the mid-west?

True Annapolis was a short sighted venture and will not last. True DC would have been much smarter to compliment True Balto and True Eastern Shore (in their defense DC is still an expansion plan, but should have focused on that). They are not going to poach any of the legit Hawks players which was their idea. They will only get kids cut from Hawks or some backups looking for larger roles. Really they should just make one True MD and then focus on their next venture...Philly area where talent is so spread out and they could consolidate and actually rule an area other than Illinois.

Fair! The one thing you can't find on their site is what the cost will be. Hawks, 91,... has that listed very easily (not a hawks parent btw).

Cant wait till Mesa shows up and dilutes club lacrosse even more

they're already here trying to steal county fields by pretending to be green hornets. Be real, start a real club.

Mesa will fail as their "main" teams up in Haverford, PA, aren't even any good. Nostrant should just start a new club in Maryland and not try to expand the Mesa brand which carries no weight.

Agreed and stating on your website "Maryland's & Pennsylvania's Premiere Lacrosse Club" doesn't make you that. Their Mesa Futures 2027 did well at summer exposure but in general I don't hear about their teams or see them at events like NAL.
The joke on severna park will come as they recruit kids outside of Severna Park while using up their valuable time, space and money. Oh and watch your kid not play anymore after paying 2G.

The Green Hornets kids in my kid's class are trying out for the Hawks as the Mesa thing isn't going smoothly. Apparently 5-7 kids.

good luck with that. I have seen both teams play and even the top 5 on mesa will have a hard time cracking the hawks roster.

Why not try out for True Annapolis then? The 2024 team needs players. There is honestly a lot of talent on this squad. The players/parents/coaches are friendly and welcoming too, which seems to be rare around here.

Based upon the Hawks website they are planning 2 teams for 2026. My guess is the Mesa and True players will make up the core of the 2nd team, which would be a great place for those boys to learn the game and position themselves for the possibility to make their A team at some point in the future. My guess is simply getting into the Hawks organization is a big step up from True and Mesa.

I am not involved with any of these teams mentioned, but as a coach and former club director I'd be careful of joining a 2nd team at an age group. In most cases I think it is better to be on the A team (assuming good coaches of course) of a lesser organization than the B team of a more successful club. If you are on top team and have success you can always apply for AA or A brackets whereas that won't happen as a 2nd team. The promise of eventually moving up rarely happens as the club is more likely to find an outsider to slide onto the top team.

True Illinois may have gone 1-3, but the losses were to three extremely good teams, losing by three to the Hawks and by one to BLC and VLC. True Illinois are the real deal and there’s no shame in how they performed.

How about just showing up with your MD team and leave the dog and pony show in IL. The using 20 kids from 20 different teams to play against standard club teams like BLC, VLC and Hawks is as bad as using holdbacks.

You’re absolutely right about the 2nd teams. It’s hard to find coaches, and the rosters seem much more fluid.

True reigned supreme this weekend. Only lost one and it was a close game. Score differential for the weekend was 25 - 8. It all gelled in the last two weeks. Club should be placed in Elite at HOCO as they will win their fair share vs Hawks, 91, Madlax and Loonies. Team is rising to the top ahead of schedule.

2024 team was 4-0 at NXT Cup. They won by impressive margins each time. Probably should've been in the AA division.

True re 2024. I was speaking of the play of 2026 this weekend. Really played great. All came together this weekend. Dominated the teams they beat and lost a close one to PA RR, which is an elite team. True 2026 is on the cusp of greatness.

I like the confidence (and congrats on a strong weekend), but not I don't think you are quite on the cusp. We've played PA RR multiple times and I wouldn't call them Elite (if you mean they'd play HoCo Elite then I agree, but they'd be middle of the pack...definitely not a nationally elite team). If True wants to be elite, you can't lose to any PA teams, even the best of their bunch.

So is True Annapolis 2026 folding or not?

Someone let True Dad know that just because RR puts Elite at the end of their team name doesn’t make them elite. Congratulations on pulling it all together and playing well in another B level tournament. Which where you should he playing. They’re definitely on the cusp of superior mediocrity.

It's all relative I guess...Elite in PA is same as avg in MD. Maybe True should drop Annapolis and start a PA team so they can say they are best in state.

Has anyone heard of any coaching changes for the 2026 team? I see they have several teams

Anyone go to the 28 True tryouts? How are they going to do chesapeake vs. annapolis with respect to A/B teams?

Anyone hear from 26 staff regarding what team their son is playing for. My son tried out and we have not heard. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

It ain't good.

Wait, there's a 2026 B team? The A team was hardly competitive this summer, how can any parent consider putting their son on a True B team?

True Annapolis is a money grab at best. Go back west of Mississippi and continue running youth clinics. Terribly unorganized and completely out of touch with the mid Atlantic market. Many other great clubs In the area to consider rather than settle on True..

So the AYLC coach leaves. He goes to True with a couple of his core players. AYLC now has no 2026 team. Funny how this great coach keeps bouncing around

So let me see if I clearly see the picture. The business men that run True have a vision that they can bring a superior program to Annapolis. To accomplish this they infiltrate Diamondback coaching staff and recruit players from inside the organization causing that 2026 program to implode. After a mediocre season at best vs B level competition they know they need to do something or all their best players will walk. Answer? Find another Diamondback scenario called AYLC and recruit from within. Yet another long time program dies to support the falsity that is True(ly) a $ grab. Did I get this right or are my facts inaccurate?

Is there really a True B team? My advice is stay clear. Moneymaker for the program but rarely a good experience for the kids and families You are much better off finding a program where their best or only team in the age group is the right fit for your son.

But they train more so it will be okay

You can't make this stuff up. They were even offering roster spots before tryouts. Yikes!

The Club hoppers are a funny bunch. So desperately want to be on an Elite team they blindly follow these coaches and end up on a multi level marketing team $$$ promising everything and delivering nothing. #trueon2

STAY AWAY its a joke , huge mistake , field issues , adding players to rosters , coaching issues , bad decision on my part .

This is actually spot on.

You can put lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig!

From the buzz in the lacrosse community it appears that while the pig lost a few pounds and got a Revlon kit it is even uglier then last year’s prom. Appears the new roster might be subtraction through addition.

Rumor is their really good goalie went to BLC.

"subtraction through addition" - excellent phrase, I plan to borrow it. My son's team just finished tryouts and their buzzword (fortunately) is the opposite.

But before we bash True too badly, let's wait and see them play.

Which True B team did your son finally make?? 🤦‍♂️

Not B, and not True but thanks for asking!

Why? True is a money grab disguising itself as a lacrosse Club. They have had a good team here and there out of to many to count. The Club is the place for players that could not make any top club in area, .True thrives on the parents of players below elite status that wants to tell the neighbors, his son is playing elite. Not bad marketing

True makes its money they way you say above. It makes its reputation of national teams using kids from other clubs!

I guess. If running around the country beating up on weak competition under the guise of "National Tournaments" helps your reputation then so be it. But again, they pad their pockets with the dense dumbs who fall for it.

TRUE will hold open tryouts every year for their teams, unlike the ELITES who will hold tryouts for maybe 3 positions available and just collect all the registration fees. Once in HS, TRUE teams don't have daddy ball like some of the ELITES do. TRUE while being young in the DMV area will be around for some time.

Is it #wetrainmore or #wewaitforhighschoolmore

.[/quote]

Is it #wetrainmore or #wewaitforhighschoolmore[/quote]

No, it’s #truthhurts, #worryaboutyourclub

Is it #wetrainmore or #wewaitforhighschoolmore[/quote]

No, it’s #truthhurts, #worryaboutyourclub[/quote]

You're right. It's not fair to pick on the less fortunate

OK.. So True Annapolis is dicking around with the 2024s. Three tryouts and still no team announcement. We are new here from the Midwest (military family), and my son needs somewhere to play. He’s not an elite kid, but he’s smart, hardworking, versatile (plays D, LSM, D-Mid, and Mid), and quick. Any idea of whom we should reach out to for a tryout this late in the game?

AYLC is still having tryouts.please go to youthlax.org Mark McNeill of the pll is the coach for the 24s. We are not an elite club nor do we try to be. We compete at the talent level we have and we teach the kids the game of lacrosse.

AYLC is still having tryouts. If interested in details please go to youthlax.org Mark McNeill of the pll is the coach for the 24s. We are not an elite club nor do we try to be. We compete at the talent level we have and we teach the kids the game of lacrosse.

Rockfish and Cannons still have one day of tryouts left. If that doesn't work try looking at websites and roster sizes to see if teams might need an additional player. Communicate your situation about moving to the area. Good luck with your search.

ALC is still having tryouts. If interested please go to youthlax.org Mark McNeill of the PLL is the coach for the 24s. We are not an elite club nor do we try to be. We compete at the appropriate level for the team and we teach the kids the game of lacrosse.

http://www.breakerslacrosseclub.com/events/1746289-breakers-2020-2021-season-tryouts

IMG_1994.png

Thank you for the reply. I noticed that the head of Rockfish is also the coach at Old Mill HS, which my son will attend this year. Probably a good idea to get in contact with them!

This is very helpful - thank you! Is there any one club that stands out among those suggested in terms of coaching, sportsmanship etc.?

Which True teams are their A teams and B teams? 25, 26 , 27? Annapolis or Chessie? Been awful quiet lately. Will folks drop $4k to $5k extra to send their kid to Fla and Col this year for True National or simply overpay for their local B level team?

Are Breakers still having to go to all their own Aloha tournaments? Great for Director, ready teams filling C rated tourneys. Profit off teams and profit of tourneys !

(person who asked the question about tryouts here). Honestly, after watching the mid Atlantic competition this summer, a MD A level club is probably the right place for my son. We're giving the ALC a try today. Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Good luck to your son!

Thank you! He had a great tryout with ALC, and just found out he made the team. 2024 coach seems very solid. Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Any word which True team: Annapolis or Chesie will be the A team or B team? I have heard they are forming a 2026 showcase team called True Maryland that will cull the top players from True Baltimore, True Annap and True Chesie clubs with the intention to totally dominate both 2026 MD lacrosse and the east coast tournament circuit. Can’t wait to see the cream rise when it hits full stride.

True Baltimore just took over Kelly Post, so now the team will be True KP. Anyone know what’s going on there?

I'm interested to hear about what happens to True in general but it's super confusing. Like Annapolis vs. Chesapeake, A vs, B, who are the coaches? What is the word on a showcase team?

BTW - No way a True Showcase team at 26 dominates the summer in its first year.

I heard that it was not a "takeover". True is just going to get paid to run some clinics for KP kids and coaches (?). I'm sure the True coaches will be keeping an eye out for kids they can recruit away during those clinics.

True will definitely be getting players from KP. True Baltimore is run well and has the resources to succeed in the Baltimore market. I could easily see a Looney's eventually merging with True.

True is like a cancer. It enters a market, wrecks a few legacy programs and then starts expanding by merging with b level programs at which time it ups the cost to play to equal that of A programs to further line the pockets of a few. Parents lose out as they dump good money down the drain out of a sense of “providing every opportunity for their son”. First cell to die from the True cancer was Diamondbacks where many promises were made. Most of the stronger players left to greener pasture after year one and others were either pissed or weaker players happy to be on a “club team”. In order to reload the roster the cancer takes over AYLC. Seeing the writing on the wall many of this best players split. No care, there are enough bodies to create a truly weak B team that pay full cash. The cancer will continue to spread each year as those with options leave for greener pasture and new “payers” are added who’s parents are willing to pay full freight whether it be for a weak “a” team, b team or c team.

doesn't wreck the clubs they absorb, they were already on the decline. True steps in and provides non parent coaching to the HS teams while also providing additional opportunities to play on state, regional and national teams. It will take some time for them to start attracting higher end talent, but it will eventually happen. Not every kid can or wants to play for Crabs, FCA, Looneys or Hawks. Fees are probably less than the four mentioned clubs and many other clubs locally.

The only person I knew there who has Division 1 exp was L.C. and he doesn't seem involved in MD anymore. That seems a big gap there.

The 2026 team parents would like a word with you about your "non parent coaching"

I believe he said HS Teams...

reading comprehension " provides non parent coaching to the HS teams" 2026 is 7th grade.

If you believe what they are selling you at this point then you deserve it!

Battle of the Bay Champions!!! Where was Hawks and why dont they play in a tournament in their own back yard

Seeing it. High School teams have non parent coaches. 7th grade may still have them, I don’t know. High School teams are non parent.

They wanted to give True MD a chance to play and not have to call their big sister in IL to come cover for them like Summer Exposure. You should be thankful

Scared, obviously.

All this back and forth between 2026 True and Hawks. Since you practice within 5 miles of each other why don’t you take 45 minutes at a practice in the next month and scrimmage one another? Issue will be settled once and for all. Heck if you post the dare and time of the scrimmage I will drive down from Towson to watch the fireworks.

While I'm sure the True 2026 kids try their hardest I wouldn't expect them to be even close to taking on the Hawks team.

Probably because because its a crappy B level tournament is my guess. They'd be better off doing an inter squad scrimmage, it would be more competitive.

Knowing several parents on both teams, there is no back and forth. It is a troll who is stirring the pot. It would not be worth the 5 minutes for either team involved. You don't see The Chiefs scrimmaging Appalachian State for a reason.

So... I am a slightly offended Dad of a True 26 player. I assume you are comparing True to Appalachian State and the Hawks to the Chiefs. With the progress we made last year and Fall additions I believe we could compete well against the Hawks. Certainly better then AS versus an NFL team. So on behalf of our team our guys will play the Hawks any day and place of their choosing.

I am 99% sure this is a troll stirring the pot. But if you are serious, why not leave the scheduling to the program directors and not parents challenging each other like kids on a playground? The teams will have plenty of chances to play each other in Hoco, tournaments, etc.

Let us know when you show up and win anything elite.

internet tough guy

Just don't call your big sister in again like you did at Summer Exposure.

I haven't won anything in Elite, nor in any division, because I don't play youth lacrosse. But my son's team has won plenty.

Not connected with True or Hawks, I was just commenting on the silliness of parents challenging opposing teams to games.

Come on, dad. You don't really want that do you? You have some good players. I have no doubt that even 1 or 2 could make the Hawks team. But there is no comparison here. Apples to oranges... or Appalachians to Chiefs if you will.
Ignore the trolls, focus on your team/kid, and keep celebrating your B tournament wins.

I suspect that the "offended Dad" is himself a troll, and he hooked you good, condescending Hawks Dad of holdback!

Can’t imagine the frustration and near depression the 2026 True parents are trying to manage after going 0 for the day in Delaware. A lot of dollars spent only to have many parents deeply disappointed by the outcome. What program will management “takeover” this year to add new hope to their overpriced attempt at mediocrity?

Thanks Hawks dad; appreciate the insight as always.

Not a Hawks dad. I am a parent of an older player from the Diamondbacks that is still appalled at the sneakiness and dishonesty True embraced to undermined that 2026 program. As they say you rep what you sow. And when you reap a greed machine at the expense of another this is the disorganized mess that you wind up with. Last year’s effort that included practicing on an overgrown with grass 1/2 field that doubled as a church overflow parking lot drove out the first wave of talent that bought into the false True hype. It’s only a matter of time that others will shop for a better place to play as the losses pile up and management enrolls in B tournaments to improve the optics that they can compete.

I'm not sure why all the detest but it's youth sports. At the end of the day if your kid is having fun and getting thats all that matters.

I'm not sure why all the detest but it's youth sports. At the end of the day if your kid is having fun and getting thats all that matters.

TRUE. lol

Totally agree that all of the "detest" is a bit hard to understand. The vast majority of travel programs charge a lot of money and deliver an imperfect product. Who feels so threatened by this team, and why?

#wedrainmore

the problem is broken promises. You had teams that migrated over, didn't get proper coaching as promised and not enough training as teams. That drained talent from non-profit teams and is not helping grow the game.

I lol’d

Is there a reason True Annapolis can't play in their own backyard against other local teams next weekend and they are bringing in regional ones?

An even better question. If you bring in your all star teams why don’t you take a crack at the Hawks? To avoid that game and have two True teams play one another is plain silly. Now you know why the dude busts True’s chops all the time. Hawks are your neighborhood rival and you simply will not play them. The detest guy has his posts justified by the actions of the team. Lol...

I can share as a parent of a 2025 True Atlantic player, that the only reason they are in these two tournaments this weekend is due to the cancellation of multiple other tourneys they were scheduled to play in during the past several months.(Lake Placid, Trilogy (CT) and one other that I can't remember the name of that was scheduled during the NCAA Final 4 in Philly). Parents that had registered were guaranteed 3 tourneys and they are trying to honor that. Also, once fall lacrosse started, they didn't want to mess with the local club schedules. I am very transparent and will say there is some talent on the teams, but I don't like the National title. Most of the boys come from 2-3 clubs and haven't played as a unit since January and I honestly feel that many of the local club teams are better than the "National" Teams. As far as scheduling who they play, I have no say in that.

A much needed post. Thank you for the info. Hopefully you have shut some up. Good luck this weekend to your team.

No one is shut up, they are busy laughing True and the amount of BS you suckers buy from the guys cashing the checks. I see you guys have paid up to level 2 on the MLM pyramid. One more step you get a free hat for 6K. You can't compete in your own backyard with local teams so to save embarrassment they feed you this BS and you buy it because it makes you feel good. #weduckmore #duckontwo

6K..... what are you talking about? My older son played for one of the top 2020 clubs and now my younger plays for a True Baltimore team. True Baltimore is cheaper than my older sons club was, nowhere near 6K. Sorry your club folded.

6K..... what are you talking about? My older son played for one of the top 2020 clubs and now my younger plays for a True Baltimore team. True Baltimore is cheaper than my older sons club was, nowhere near 6K. Sorry your club folded.[/quote]

True Baltimore = Wolfpack

True Baltimore = Wolfpack[/quote]

Wolfpack, Looneys, FCA. Rock, Mavricks

Wolfpack, Looneys, FCA. Rock, Mavricks[/quote]

What does that even mean?

What does that even mean?[/quote]

some kids from those clubs went to True.

What percent of players from True Annapolis play on True Mid-Atlantic?

Crickets.......

If you are talking about the "original" True Mid-Atlantic team at 2023, zero is the most likely answer. That is the same for other True Maryland teams as well.

I'm not sure about how True is handling other years with their True Mid-Atlantic versus their other "National" teams. I know that the "National" teams are now only kids who play on local True clubs. That rule certainly doesn't apply to the 2023 Mid-Atlantic team.

True Mid-Atlantic is an invite, kids can be from any club. True National is only for True club players.

I see we have waved goodbye to shame at local tournaments and not only brought in Regional Teams. Had to combine different regional teams. Any port in a storm to save face on the East Coast at this point.

2025 had two kids over 6'3" with size and speed.

What did I miss?

True was a debacle. '25-'27 is a joke. Low B-level teams abound. Lots of hype but buyers beware. You're much better off sticking with a local program.

Hawks dad coming to vent on another thread; LOL you seriously need help!

Huh? MY sons played for Hereford LC, before making the mistake of switching to True. Now hoping I can get back in.

It’s pretty funny that there is a lot of shade thrown about youth lacrosse. Any “club team” out there is out to make a buck, come on now. If anyone on this chat who wants to bash any “youth” team needs to get a life. Here’s a real question for you helicopter parents out there who says that you should only play for the local teams. Why are you not petitioning your state youth sport authorities to ban any club teams holding competition during the spring? Bring back the Rec model full circle and youth players cannot play club during the spring only play during the summer. Instead of having “Hawks”, PLC ect you have AYLA, or does it matter to your son that you say he’s elite?

I'm all for rec but AACO screwed that up by making 20 divisions

Simple fix! Get involved! Every person on here has great intentions but if you were all in this for the development of lacrosse, actions speak louder than words!

The problem is the area and many areas have the room for a solid club lacrosse program. When other programs move in and start trying to take over under the disguise of club lacrosse and are selling parents more on "you can say your kid plays club" vs programs like Crabs, Hawks, Looneys, Madlax, BLC. Established dominant programs where a lot of kids can't make it. Those are elite clubs and should be considered club lacrosse playing year round. Elite talent that wants to play year round deserves that. These owners and directors have worked extremely hard to build a quality product. They didn't plop trough in town and say, give me a check and I'll put your kid on a "club team" so you can play club. Then sit back and laugh while it failed and they still got paid. There is a reason you hardly see B teams for Crabs and Hawks. They could have 4 teams at each age, but the focus is not on money, it's on building a solid team. So the simple fix would be limiting the number of clubs and allowing kids that don't make one of those teams to develop in rec programs. But the True's and Mesa's and whoever knows what's next would not like that I suspect. Until you get rid of club teams that are really rec teams and parents keep paying, this is a lost cause.

Open my pc this morning and their is a shameless add from True pushing their simple mouth guard as evolutionary. The hype never stops from the PT Barnum of youth sports. Everything they sell is special and better then the mouse trap. We train more!!! Lol.

don't forget FCA, they will accept 150 kids and their money deposits to tryout for 1 or 2 open spots on a Blue team. They also have a second team who helps finance the top teams tournaments.

fca hasn't been showing much of an elite status in MD lately.

Err...pretty sure that's not the lacrosse club.

the person talking about a mouth guard has confused a lacrosse team with a mouth guard. https://www.truemouthguards.com/

Please stop drinking the water in Baltimore harbor
https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/09/23/baltimore-inner-harbor-water-quality-report-latest/

Not seeing it in the Maryland teams. Dreadful.

depends on the age.

depends on the age.[/quote]

Or what states they have players available from to help.

Somebody should have warned the True coach that Hawks and True are at war similar to the crips and bloods, and this Board is about 75% Hawks Dads, so anything relating to True will be crapped on. Oh well.

How much is it to play for the "Atlantic" and also the "National" team

It’s honestly not that expensive to play for the National True teams. Pricing is very in line with what other Midwest/west clubs charge.

War? That's hilarious. Hawks don't care about True. They don't compete against each other. Ignore the 2026 stunad Dads on this message board please and don't assign them to the rest of the Hawks parents.

100% None of the True teams have won an elite tournament to my knowledge. Happy to be proven wrong. I can't imagine True will be playing elite in hoco anyway. Not a hawk dad, but there's a huge diff from top level div 1/3 coaches to no div 1 coaches. Team MD does this same promotion stuff and then gets stuffed at an elite tournament.

Hawks compared to True is like comparing a professional team to a High School team.

But, we train more ... True on 2!

not location. MD has many strong established clubs, it will harder for TRUE to maintain talent than other areas of the country. TRUE IL and MN are probably some of the better programs in those areas, and are the club that the states talent attracts to. TRUE MD will develop talent, but just like most other clubs they will lose the developed talent to Crabs, Hawks, Looney's & FCA as these clubs cherry pick the already developed talented kids.

Very accurate, TRUE Pittsburgh had a great kid who wound up leaving to play for Crabs. TRUE noticed the kid and developed the kid, well they did such a good job he was recruited by Crabs. He only played tournaments.

“True Lacrosse has maintained its standing as the leader in training and developing high level athletes.” Does not specify an age group.[/quote]

not location. MD has many strong established clubs, it will harder for TRUE to maintain talent than other areas of the country. TRUE IL and MN are probably some of the better programs in those areas, and are the club that the states talent attracts to. TRUE MD will develop talent, but just like most other clubs they will lose the developed talent to Crabs, Hawks, Looney's & FCA as these clubs cherry pick the already developed talented kids.[/quote]

Your point just illustrates consumerism. Athletes are born. The biggest, fastest, strongest will excel on a rec team or club, under daddy supervision, or with buddies playing pickup. In other words “developing lacrosse talent” regarding the gifted happens on any or no club.
There is no secret sauce. True is in the Midwest what Crabs once was on the East Coast. The first and for a while only game in town. So it built a brand. In contrast all the wannabe club kids and parents seeking gear and car decals do not get developed into superstars on these clubs ans most would be better off getting more reps on weak in house rec teams. Buying into the club Director BS makes you a sucker.

The fact this board is talking about True shows how much hawks resents the club; again parents bickering at each other!!! Embarrassing to say the least.

Yes, big difference between the two teams, but the poster who referred to the crips and bloods was accurate in that a few parents on the two teams strongly dislike each other. Their passion gives a bad look to both programs. If you doubt me, go over to the 2026 board and read some of the stuff they say about each other.

Its funny most of the Hawks/True kids play with each other in other sports, The parents all see each other all the time. The trolls on this board are a joke.

It’s the same two Hawks Dads. Same ones that You will see chirping directly to your sons in the middle of a game.

Rest of the Hawks parents are solid folks.

I feel sorry for the sons of those two.

not location. MD has many strong established clubs, it will harder for TRUE to maintain talent than other areas of the country. TRUE IL and MN are probably some of the better programs in those areas, and are the club that the states talent attracts to. TRUE MD will develop talent, but just like most other clubs they will lose the developed talent to Crabs, Hawks, Looney's & FCA as these clubs cherry pick the already developed talented kids.[/quote]

Your point just illustrates consumerism. Athletes are born. The biggest, fastest, strongest will excel on a rec team or club, under daddy supervision, or with buddies playing pickup. In other words “developing lacrosse talent” regarding the gifted happens on any or no club.
There is no secret sauce. True is in the Midwest what Crabs once was on the East Coast. The first and for a while only game in town. So it built a brand. In contrast all the wannabe club kids and parents seeking gear and car decals do not get developed into superstars on these clubs ans most would be better off getting more reps on weak in house rec teams. Buying into the club Director BS makes you a sucker.[/quote]

you're missing the point. TRUE is developing kids to be the best they can be athletically and lax wise. The top players in the MD will then gravitate to the top clubs stated above. TRUE will give you other opportunities to play outside your region for other TRUE teams if you're will to travel. TRUE is just starting out in the MD area, give them time before knocking them. Many of the previous management from the clubs that merged with them have moved on or will be in the near future.

it's a ridiculous argument to make that if a kid isn't on one of the top four clubs then he should be playing in house rec ball. rec ball ends at 8th grade, so kids who aren't good enough for one of the top 4 clubs shouldn't play outside of school then? people shouldn't be talking to much trash on different clubs as well, there is a good chance their kid could get cut or lose significant playing time and be forced to moves to one of the many non-top four programs.

nothing worse than some 40 some year adult yelling at a player on the other team

that is approx. 40% of lax parents from Baltimore area and 80% from New Jersey & New York.

Looks like True didn’t bother to do any box training before going to the Philly tournament. Stop posting and do real training, on 2!

I would say 60% and 75% . Parents need to do something on sidelines

True is a money grab . Why train,,Take money and play

Its a Business , they will nickel and dime you , with state teams , national teams , box teams , the only thing they train more is your wallet ...

For the 2025 age group, the True box team did not fare well at the Philadelphia tournament. They were listed as the Maryland Box Turtles and were outscored 24-4 in 3 games. The kids were not prepared.

You can't make this stuff up.

The video:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLJzhVohY7G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link


The Last tune-up before battle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLIw4BsBB2_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The results?
#WeMehMore # MehOn2

Trues other 2025 team (Lightning) lost in a shoot out to the team that won the A division.

That is Hilarious. Video is got to go down as one of biggest WT? music are they attempting to convey to the players/parents

Trues other 2025 team (Lightning) lost in a shoot out to the team that won the A division.....

While that is accurate, it doesn't tell the whole story. They also lost to Freedom 6-3, going 1-2 for the day. The team that won the A division was Penn Lax 2026 - very good box team.

Thanks Coach. Team just cant compete no matter how you spin it

[/quote]True is a money grab . Why train,,Take money and play[/quote]

I've been around lacrosse the past 20 years, ALL clubs are a money grab. parents are pay $2000 and up for club when they used to pay about $100 for rec. True is no more of a money grab then any other club, please enlighten everyone as to what club isn't overly priced

I've been around lacrosse the past 20 years, ALL clubs are a money grab. parents are pay $2000 and up for club when they used to pay about $100 for rec. True is no more of a money grab then any other club, please enlighten everyone as to what club isn't overly priced[/quote]

True is charging the same or higher amounts as elite clubs in the area (hawks, 91, crabs,..) with lots of hype. The coaches they have are not as experienced and the results speak for themselves. Other clubs charge a lot less and get better results in B/C/D divisions. Personally I had hope when they came that we had a real competition to the hawks. Clearly that's not been the case.

I've been around lacrosse the past 20 years, ALL clubs are a money grab. parents are pay $2000 and up for club when they used to pay about $100 for rec. True is no more of a money grab then any other club, please enlighten everyone as to what club isn't overly priced[/quote]

They all make money, that is True, True is nothing but a pure money grab. National Club with a marketing campaign to take money from people like you,.

I've been around lacrosse the past 20 years, ALL clubs are a money grab. parents are pay $2000 and up for club when they used to pay about $100 for rec. True is no more of a money grab then any other club, please enlighten everyone as to what club isn't overly priced[/quote]

True is charging the same or higher amounts as elite clubs in the area (hawks, 91, crabs,..) with lots of hype. The coaches they have are not as experienced and the results speak for themselves. Other clubs charge a lot less and get better results in B/C/D divisions. Personally I had hope when they came that we had a real competition to the hawks. Clearly that's not been the case.[/quote]


True can compete with Hawks and did so in the fall. Pretty sure it was a one goal game. The gap has closed on Hawks

True is charging the same or higher amounts as elite clubs in the area (hawks, 91, crabs,..) with lots of hype. The coaches they have are not as experienced and the results speak for themselves. Other clubs charge a lot less and get better results in B/C/D divisions. Personally I had hope when they came that we had a real competition to the hawks. Clearly that's not been the case.[/quote]


True can compete with Hawks and did so in the fall. Pretty sure it was a one goal game. The gap has closed on Hawks[/quote]

Elaborate on this. Which True team and what was the score?

True can compete with Hawks and did so in the fall. Pretty sure it was a one goal game. The gap has closed on Hawks[/quote]

Elaborate on this. Which True team and what was the score?[/quote]

Yes, please. Ture Annapolis and the Hawks have never played. Whatever version on True the Hawks played in the fall, it was not a 1 goal game

Clearly, based upon this banter, there is club rivalry between True Annapolis and Hawks. Instead of arguing on this web site why don’t the coaches simply schedule a play date next weekend or the weekend after and let the kids play? Win or loose it will be fun for the kids and put an end to this senseless back and forth.

Rivalry's have equal competitiveness.

Clearly each team thinks they are better then the other based upon the chest puffing on this blog so it takes real arrogance to speak of equal competitiveness. PLAY THE GAME and let the result speak for itself!

But not really. No one thinks that

A bunch of chicken hawks puffing their chest and running off at the mouth.

What years are we talking about? This thread has become ridiculous. It must be the children.

True can compete with Hawks and did so in the fall. Pretty sure it was a one goal game. The gap has closed on Hawks[/quote]

Elaborate on this. Which True team and what was the score?[/quote]

??

I wish it were the children, but it is a small group of Hawks Dads who embarrass the program on this board and on the sidelines. The majority of Hawks families are class acts.

How were the numbers at True VA today or was it even held due to field conditions?

Plenty of them must have been at the 2025 Box event. Stop beating the same drum.

More than a few parents, it’s a club wide issue. Multiple Hawks teams have parents who act like 6th graders. They chicken hawk up and down the side line giving their kid garbage then yelling at kids on the other team. This has been going on from the 2019 teams through 2024, it’s accepted behavior by the club.

Not sure what club you are affiliated with, but go to any tournament, anywhere, at any level. You will find parents like that on every sideline. Not saying it is right, but you are blind if you don't think it is a problem throughout the sport, heck, all sports.

Seems to be one person who makes this statement over and over and over. Sounds like a jilted lover.

I think that there is truth on both sides of the debate - yes, the program has a culture of permitting low rent sideline behavior on all its teams, but in fairness, the 2026 team has a couple of Dads who are exceptional in this regard.

100% true.

It is now the identity of the club. Loud obnoxious trash

Stop talking to yourself.

Absolutely the truest statement on this board.

Agreed. I went to watch my niece play lacrosse, 8th grade in the Annapolis area as well. It was comical and embarrassing at the same time to listen to the comments coming from both sets of parents, grandparents, and, my family included. I think we just are caught up in the game when our child is playing and don't realize what is being said by parents on our team, parents on the opposing team, as well as what comes out of our mouths. More importantly, how it is being taken by the other side.

Lol, profanity.....I said mess

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.

[More than a few parents, it’s a club-wide issue. Multiple Hawks teams have parents who act like 6th graders. The chicken hawk up and down the sideline giving their kid garbage then yelling at kids on the other team. This has been going on from the 2019 teams through 2024, it’s accepted behavior by the club.[/quote]

Not sure what club you are affiliated with, but go to any tournament, anywhere, at any level. You will find parents like that on every sideline. Not saying it is right, but you are blind if you don't think it is a problem throughout the sport, heck, all sports.[/quote]

Absolutely the truest statement on this board.[/quote]

Agreed. I went to watch my niece play lacrosse, 8th grade in the Annapolis area as well. It was comical and embarrassing at the same time to listen to the comments coming from both sets of parents, grandparents, and, my family included. I think we just are caught up in the game when our child is playing and don't realize what is being said by parents on our team, parents on the opposing team, as well as what comes out of our mouths. More importantly, how it is being taken by the other side.[/quote]

Lol, profanity.....I said mess[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

It sounds like one parent missed the boat to the Hawks and is still holding on to a grudge. Reading this thread makes True look as ridiculous as the Hawks.

Agreed. I went to watch my niece play lacrosse, 8th grade in the Annapolis area as well. It was comical and embarrassing at the same time to listen to the comments coming from both sets of parents, grandparents, and, my family included. I think we just are caught up in the game when our child is playing and don't realize what is being said by parents on our team, parents on the opposing team, as well as what comes out of our mouths. More importantly, how it is being taken by the other side.[/quote]

Lol, profanity.....I said mess[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.

Lol, profanity.....I said mess[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.[/quote]

Not only that, but parents naturally changing spots to be closer to their kid puts opposing parents right next to one another.

Lol, profanity.....I said mess[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.[/quote]

Add crazy wrestling parents to the mix 'cause they are right up there with the worst. I guess it just shows that the one consistent thing that never fails to screws up youth sports is adults.

I was referring to your wife.

Lol, profanity.....I said mess[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.[/quote]

cheerleading isn't a sport.

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.[/quote]

cheerleading isn't a sport.[/quote]

The football and basketball games that my son plays in are FAR worse than lacrosse. It is the entitlement from lacrosse parents that gets to everyone. My daughter is a cheerleader (sorry, I tried) and you wouldn't even want to know what is said at those events. The crazy RN dads from the Dena and Calvert County wearing pink Cheerdad shirts are both comical and scary. To single out the Hawks organization in the midst of all of the bad behavior from stunad parents is ridiculous and clearly rooted in jealousy. Let the bashing begin from the Hawks trolls and haters. I am not and have never been a Hawks dad but if we lived closer, my son would definitely be trying out. My guess is if your kids were more talented, they would be too.[/quote]

Cheerleaders are athletes too.

I think the uniqueness of lacrosse parents all being on the same sidelines adds to the mix at lacrosse games.[/quote]

cheerleading isn't a sport.[/quote]
I’m not the OP- So says the old dude posting on the middle school sports forum.

Love to see you attempt half the garbage those kids do.

😂

Lets see you do a transitional pyramid with a twisting mount while in a herkie then hitting a perfect shushunova landing.

How much did 2027 True teams to be in a tournament to play itself and get rocked by FCA?

2025 True Annapolis beats 2025 True Baltimore this weekend in DE.
Oddly, in HoCo, the Baltimore team is in the A division, Annapolis in the B.

Annapolis sandbagging for the Spring to get that 'Ship.

lolz

Stop drunk typing, read what you typed before sending it, drunk lost

Or, since True is a newer club they don’t fully know yet where they belong. Also, winter sports are still going on, so the multi sport athletes may have been with their in season sport instead of lax.

True on True crime has been committed

Not PP. My kid brought up "Hawk parents" when we were talking about bad sideline behavior. And his team hasn't played the Hawks but has seen games.

Kids don’t care about the sideline. They repeat what the parents say.

Kids watch and tell the truth. I've never watched or noticed a Hawks game so it so it doesn't come from his parent.

Looks like True Annapolis 2025 had a good game against True Illinois last Saturday.. looks like it may have been a scrimmage...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBoCcqWj9BA

aren't there enough True teams to be their own hoco now?

Plenty for their own B league.

That’s True.

The 2028 True parents, mostly old USS/KI people are the ABSOLUTE WORST parents. Not knowledgeable and they play B league lax

True stuff !

How many kids have left the 2026 team? Asking for a friend

Did one JUST leave? Rumor is he will be playing for another team this weekend.

Enough that they are calling kids already rostered on other teams...

Yes, they are calling kids that are currently rostered and have already played in week 1 of the HoCo season.

And True is providing "Roster Releases" to these recruits to make it "easier" for kids to join True...

Once you are rostered and played in a game in the HOCO league that is your team. You can't roster for another team in that season.

2nd Team that kid double rostered for will forfeit games they play him in.

Doesnt look good. Multiple phone calls to different players. What is happening over there

True seems to think a roster "release" from the fisrt team is sufficient to circumvent this rule.

No WSYL for the 2026’s. True PA will be there lol

How did the 25’s and 26’s do

Why 2026 Annapolis Green/White parents pay for what they get is beyond curious. More expensive then any other club program in Balt, Annap and DC and it’s, at best a rec quality experience. Parents of Green team should each shop their son to 3 alternative clubs this summer at tryouts and land somewhere new. The White team parents should move their son to a local rec team and save $1,800. The fraud that washed up on the shores of the Chesapeake a few summers ago should be eliminated from the region in a fashion that they broke up many teams with their bs lax head give aways and promises of “we train more”. True simply is.... False!!!

True Annapolis - 2025 - they are a quality team. They played dirty at times though. On Saturday... Ball was at midfield going toward True's defensive end. True attackman comes from behind the opposing team's long pole (in front of the opposing team's goal, far away from the play), and slashes him, breaks his wrist, out of the game, probably out of the tournament. Play stopped for 5-10 minutes while the golf cart came on the field and took the hurt kid off the field.

It is a pure Money grab that seems to have worked. Barnum and Bailey has nothing on founders of True

EVERY CLUB PROGRAM IS A MONEY GRAB!

Why 2026 Annapolis Green/White parents pay for what they get is beyond curious. More expensive then any other club program in Balt, Annap and DC and it’s, at best a rec quality experience. Parents of Green team should each shop their son to 3 alternative clubs this summer at tryouts and land somewhere new. The White team parents should move their son to a local rec team and save $1,800. The fraud that washed up on the shores of the Chesapeake a few summers ago should be eliminated from the region in a fashion that they broke up many teams with their bs lax head give aways and promises of “we train more”. True simply is.... False!!!

A rec team that beat FCA LOL!!!!!

Negligence on an athletic field can be determined by a court of law.

typical Baltimoron wants to sue a 7th grader...you're a joke!

Knock True all you want. My son's 25 team got a great win over MESA this weekend. And the Baltimore 25 team gave the Cannons all they could handle.
#wetrainmore

Relax True Dad. Your team plays in "A". #YouNeedToTrainMore

Dude, you need to realize when you are being trolled.

True, scooped up another long-time club program in Baltimore County.

Easy there big girl. Glad you like to win at the bottom level. Stay in your lane and you will do fine

Another team with a mediocre record and bottom dweller. Typical True . Money grab calling themselves elite while playing at the bottom.

Not every club is designed to be elite. Not every player is elite. So kids that just want to play and arent capable or really desiring to be elite/play 10 months a year, need a club too. True fills this need- think walmart. This used to be the role of rec ball. Still should be but thats another story.

Typical Hawks parent post as the panic sets in that no one wants to play for this team anymore! They are no longer a draw at the 26 level due to poor coaching and parents toxic culture.

Stir the pot much? This could have been posted by anyone.

Which team?

Koopers

no!? Word?

Why does true enter so many B teams into tournaments?

The tourney in Annapolis this weekend had a million true teams- every one competing in the B brackets.

There were at least 5-6 True North Carolina Teams alone.

All b level. Makes no sense to drive 7-8 hours to play B level competition.

So their business model really is just pay to play?

Why would you pay that much to enter rec divisions? Just to call yourself a “club?” Makes no sense. All those parents need to save a couple thousand dollars and just sign up for local rec lax programs.

My Son doesn't play for True and I'm not a fan of the their tactics ( i.e. - putting guest players from Elite level True teams on out of state teams entered in the B division).

The reason some of these out of state teams travel is because there aren't any other teams to play in states like NC. I don't see a problem with that.

So why do you care? Let me guess, your Son's team was beat by a True team or cut by a True team or didn't make one after trying out? What year/division did your Son play in this weekend?

There are plenty of boys that want to play year round that are not on the AA teams because they love it. Dissing on kids that aren't up to your standard of what it takes to play on a "club" team isn't a good look dude, it's extremely BadPerson and your motive is suspect. All this "if your kid isn't playing in the Elite division in HOCO they should just play rec" talk is garbage spewed by internet trolls and keyboard warriors.

Is TRUE the new version of advanced REC?

True doesn't beat anyone. And they certainly have never cut anyone. At least not in Maryland.

It's a fair question. From a MD perspective, it seems really questionable for True to make families travel that far to play against rec-level MD teams.

But I guess they do it for the love of the game?! Because of a total lack of teams in NC? To test themselves against MD's slowest, shortest and least coordinated? Maybe to justify the $2k+ price tag?

It just seems odd.

Why do you care so much? If your kid doesn’t play for true, why do you care? How does it affect you? Like a previous poster said, not all teams are elite, not all players are elite. They need clubs. Why do you care so much about True? It’s not your kid they are training, it’s not your money they’re taking, so why do you care so much? Get a life.

You forgot to ask why do they care.

Not sure why all the bashing. True is fine for public school kids and rec kids who want to dip their toe in and see what club is all about. It’s looks just like club with no pressure.

If this was the case I would agree. That's not what's happening though. These are True regional teams from NC that are being sold as all star teams. The parents pay a lot of extra $ to be told they have an all star team and then they travel all over the east coast to play in B brackets in hope of some wins. The southern parents aren't as informed as the NY/ MD parents and they get swindled. After a year or two they figure it out and leave the program for legit smaller clubs that play in smaller tourneys with no illusion of being on a national/regional team.

Looks like True just bought Koopers now also. I guess they will just merge in with the True Wolfpack Baltimore team from a few years ago.

Kids get to play lacrosse, and the program gets to make money. Some teams are better than others. Players come and go. Some have a good experience and some don't. This is the model of every travel team in every sport. I don't really see the issue.

Agreed. Not every kid and every family is in this for a D1 scholarship. Perhaps they just want something to do on the weekend in the summer and traveling to a different city and/or region is more fun than not traveling. Maybe for some of these kids it better for them to be part of a team and getting outside than sitting inside playing Fortnite for 14 hours a day. As for True, it's Supply and Demand. We live in a free-market economy. The market dictates what business will be supported or not supported.

True Anapolis forfeits game at Naptown?

In a free market, businesses can be a scourge on an industry too.

How is True handling the Koopers takeover?

Who are coaching those teams?

When they "partnered" with Kelly Post, they took all the top kids at KP and funneled them to the Baltimore team and moved the bottom half of the Baltimore team to Kelly Post.

Are they gonna do the same with Koopers?

Parents stuck with this situation- make sure you ask who is coaching your kid and know what team they will be a part of. It matters.

True forfeited their last game after losing to Madlax National 11-10 and 3 of their players ended up in the ER. One with a broken jaw and one with a broken wrist. 4 more injured players and their coach called it.

But they will have access to the True National teams!!! #WeTrainMore

Sheesh- at what age group?

2025 group.

Madlax National showed up thinking it was a rugby tournament. Very blatant hits by them.

True 2027 just went 3-1 and are playing 91 Machine in quarters of WSYL!!

Yes, parents, be sure to make sure you know exactly what True team you are trying out for and who those coaches are. Get it in writing.

Roster swapping is common. And not always in the best interest of your child.

True = Money Grab
True = Players that cant make top Clubs
True= Parents that can now feel good
All the above is True

Well that was short lived. Guess the True DC kids they added weren't much help.

“Fine for public school kids”. What an entitled butt comment. You’d think managing your Hedge Fund would take all of your time, yet here you are trying to feel good about all 5’6” of yourself.

This thread is everything that is wrong with Club lacrosse. Why are parents complaining about a club and what bracket they are playing in, and how far they travel? If they are so elite, how are you even at the same tournament? Last I checked Crabs,91, Big4H,FCA,and laxachusets, aren’t even at these tournaments. Point being that you might not be as elite as you think you are. Club teams have stronger teams at one age group over another across the board. Remember people its about the kids and growing the game. If your losing sleep over these True teams,have your son tryout for a team that plays in high end tourneys then all you will se are the National teams. The elite teams can not solely fulfill the needs of Lacrosse coaches to fill rosters at the collegiate level. You can’t have all Tom Brady’s and zero Taylor Heinickes. I will say this,If True is guilty of anything it’s inclusion and growing the game. I am not True parent my son played for them at one time and plays for another Club now mostly due to logistics. The True MD program is filled with coaches and directors that look to get the most out of your son no matter what the perceived ceiling may be.

Posted by true dc parent whose child wasn’t asked?

Get cut from 91? Not everyone can be elite. It’s ok

Hawks little step brothers

True is good for anywhere in the South and Midwest where there are NO options.They are growing the game there.

But in MD and NE hotbeds, it’s mostlydriven by parents propping up their rec level kids. Most of those kids would be much better served by sticking with their local rec/clubs.

True statement. "Hey if you join our program you'll have access to our national teams!" Every True National team cannot compete with elite teams.

True is taking over GIRLS LAX (United Coast and something with MDU}. How much more did True charge when they took over on the boy's side? TIA

About the same.

Not sure what's wrong with that comment.

It really is a PS option in MD. There are hardly any private school kids playing for True.

And it really is good for rec kids who want to see what club lax is without any of the high pressure of tryouts etc.

5’6” and a half thank you very much

What’s the 27 Annapolis team going to look like after tryouts? Wonder if any of the World Series stuff will translate.

Can't speak for Annapolis, but heard True is bleeding kids at the '27 level for Baltimore.

The 2026 team has left and gone to ProStart? and they arent even having open tryouts, team is selected and done

False!

Hearing rumblings that True DC folded? Anyone confirm?

Did True teams get any Looney’s players?

"Did True teams get any Looney’s players?"

None that I am aware of from the 2026 Looney's team. AFAIK they all went to either Preds, FCA, or RoughRiders (and one that I know of went to Crabs).

How many kids from the 2028 team joined other clubs this summer?

Heard one is going to hawks and one went to crabs.

I heard best attackman, the tall pole, and goalie all went to the Hawks. They lost another attackman to ProStart, and another kid moved out of state. True is pulling kids from their DMV teams other East Coast Teams to form True Chesapeake.

Also not a true parent but agree they are helping grow the game and provide an opportunity for kids to improve. There is a gap between rec and elite club with very little in between. True is consolidating and optimizing the middle.

I think this is True (or accurate I should say). I believe True was hoping to get at least some of the 2027 True Kelly Post players but that partnership dissolved and none of the Kelly Post kids went over. So 2027 True Balt is a random mix of Koopers and Baltimore, with at least one daddy coach from Koopers on the coaching staff.

2027 True Annapolis left attacker has already been practicing with another team and is leaving after hoco. What a shame, nice win today.

The True Chesapeake 27 team was back to its smaller lineup this week. Missing a handful of players that were there last week when they lost to FCA.

DCE almost got their first win. But True pulled it out

it's just oldest players to youngest players in terms of who's winning and losing.

If you've read True's business plan for Maryland, that's not it at all. Most of the True rosters in Maryland have a handful of rec-based clubs they can't beat.

In Maryland, True has simply acquired other locally-run clubs (or rights to the club's name, or hiring a club's entire coaching staff....), so if anything, it's subtraction by addition. Cutters, Fallston, Mason-Dixon, Wolfpack, Kelly Post, MESA-MD, Koopers that I can recall off the top of my head. How has True increased the competitiveness and opportunities of any of those players? The local (mostly positive) culture and branding of the clubs replaced by "just add more mediocre reps." It's only been 4? 5? years total. What contribution to Maryland youth lacrosse do they have to show for it?

The Cutters acquisition in particular was designed to build True's first elite presence on the east coast. Cutters players across several age groups were promised roster spots on True National and True Maryland teams, and despite all this "elite opportunity", the families "in the know" have gradually left True.

Fast forward to 2023 and you have a corporate club (True Maryland program) with a documented, factually based reputation for illegal roster substitutions even in Hoco playoff games and in tournaments. Players dramatically flopping for penalties like it's a soccer game, and most dramatically, players failing to achieve high school varsity roster spots.

Then there's the Allergy Medicine situation with the True MD full time staff.

The True MD experiment is almost over, but yes, I expect their next "5 year business plan" to look as you suggest, "A $3000/year bridge between rec and club." As if that is what anybody needed or asked for.

It’s a great business model. It just [Censored] for local kids/parents.

-Offer a struggling rec/club team admin some money to join the “family.”

-Promise to keep the team together.

-Take over the team. Advertise new green/black logo.

-Split up team how it best serves the company. Install new, overwhelmingly mediocre coaches.

-Charge parents $2800+ for the same A-level lax they were getting a year before for $800.

Then kids CAN’T leave because they no longer have a local cheap rec/club option to play lacrosse at and still aren’t good enough to make a good club team.

So sure. They are “bridging the gap” between rec and club alright. By letting hopeful and naive parents pay club prices for rec lax.

Wow, I wish I would have done some research before we joined True. I know this has unfolded overtime, so maybe it would not have made a difference.

For some of us that have played the game for a long time and have multiple kids having positive and not so great club experiences. The lack of leadership, structure and cronyism is terrible.

We all want our kids to have positive experiences, and be developed to the best of their effort and ability.

The last post really felt like someone was going through the exact same situation. For those of us who love the game, and always well this is hard to watch.

Seen the same thing here too.
A one-way transactional relationship.
Definition of the lax parasites you hear about.

Allergy medicine?

A True employee was allegedly fired from a part time coaching gig at an MIAA school, and allegedly escorted off campus, for allegedly being disorderly and disoriented during a practice on campus. The response from the coach was allegedly "cold medicine." Allegedly.

Heard the the 2029 coach is leaving.

Why are people still so worked up about the (alleged) cold medicine situation? If your kids don't play for True, let it go. Seems/feels like disgruntled Dons parents. Did little Johnny not get enough playing time on the Dons fresh/soph team?

The balrimore 2029

Or maybe a kid didn't get time cause he refused to blow into his coaches steering wheel.....


You got to admit it is pretty fool that a guy gets families to pay a ton of money to play a game, call him coach, and can't even make to the first game at the HS freshman team level. But he did coach NAIA in Kentucky or wherever?! Preys on parents that never played the game...

Why dont Crabs, Hawks and LI Express have national teams like True, Madlax and 91

]Why dont Crabs, Hawks and LI Express have national teams like True, Madlax and 91[/quote]

Because it’s all just a money grab and these clubs are elite already. Don’t need all the extra bs.

Because they are as good or better than the true national teams. They don’t need to pull together national teams to play competitive tourneys.

They don't need them

They don’t need national teams. They compete all year at competitive tournaments with the same players. National teams are just a ploy for more money.

Nice job True!!!!!

Crabs is a national team...many kids from out of the area and as far away as FL, CA, TX on the middle school/high school teams -- esp. among the kids that see the field. "Locally grown" is not true, at least among the crabs.

Eyeroll. Remember that corporate culture is defined by "what is allowed to continue" and apparently at some clubs, being openly intoxicated (by whatever chemical) and in charge of minors in a contact sport is totally OK and not cause for concern.

I'm so sure you'd self-regulate your comments if it was your kid. "Maybe I'm just mad about the PT. I'll keep this to myself!" Yeah right.

Crabs charges 1 price - True makes you pay for the regular team and if you want to play on the National you have to pay another fee!!!!

Can you say money grab

Dons Dad If you are truly that upset/concerned, what actions have you taken to escalate this issue to True leadership (above the club director)? What are you hoping to achieve by posting here? I would truly like to understand.

Any one heard the rumors that 3Steps and True are in negotiations to merge?

What is anyone hoping to achieve by posting here

Had not heard that. Very different business models (from branding to revenue sharing) though I can see how they seem similar on the surface. I'd be surprised if this was true.

Scathing article in Daily Beast about True Lacrosse infighting, lawsuits, and big corporate lax:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-adults-of-the-youth-lacrosse-world-are-getting-rather-nasty

Interesting quote:

In the end, Huth thinks there’s a way for operators like True and Supreme to make a profit in the club lacrosse game “and still have morals, and still not lax everybody and their brother off.”

“I’m hoping we see a trend where it’s kind of taken back by, let’s not say the adults, but by adults that have better intentions,” he said, “versus the adults that have realized, ‘Holy [Censored], I love coaching lacrosse. I love making money. Let’s put those two things together and let’s make a boatload of money.’”

Welcome to America, go sue someone.

True is just what most people think it is. An expensive Club that shows everything that is wrong with modern youth sports.

#SueOn2
#WeSueMore

And get to claim they are on a National Team ! well at an additional price can claim that

“Something great is coming.”

Can’t wait! 😂

Yay!

Is it a new green and black logo?!

Or maybe a new top-tier coach?

I did hear the volunteer assistant from Iowa Southern Community College was spotted leaving the True corporate HQ last week.

Can you give a hint ?

Heard him and Rocky from Whatsamatta U are teaming up. Guna be epic, i hear.

Sure. It's marketing.

It's not gonna be great.

True is a top program and will continue to climb to the top .

This is not credible. Unless you have the goods on table,

It's been 5 years since True moved into MD.
Unlimited ops budget
Connections with USL
Tons of paid coaches
Huge marketing budget
Numerous purchased clubs
2000+ MD kids getting "more reps"

Results after 5 years:
0 hoco elite championships
0 AA level tournament wins
0 (md-based) national team tourney championships
0 top 100 ncaa recruits

Facts.

Something great is finally here.

True's advanced offering in MD was True Chesapeake.

That folded in a bad way.

So it's been rebranded into "True Premier."

Expect it all to turn around!

Those are not fun facts and Facts I dont want to hear. Can you at least keep this to yourself while I think my son is on an elite national team and getting recruited D1. That is what True told me ! .

Who cares but true kids still get recruited facts

First of all the idea that clubs get kids recruited is true 40% of the time

Second, with 100+ DC and MD kids playing for True in every grad year, yeah, gee, I would hope a few get to play in college.

Third, need I mention Cultural Truepropriation, where any kid who went to a True workout in 9th grade is featured on True's IG when they get recruited 3 years later. I'm sure it was the 60 mediocre reps behind the Moose, not their actually HS coaches, that got them noticed! Never seen any other club do this except Breakers...now defunct.

Get serious.

True puts lots of kid into college programs.
Montana Presbyterian Community College needs players too.

That's not just True it's practically every club and certainly every showcase/money grab. I mean Apex takes credit for college commits for crying out loud.

Apparently True is creating their own tournament called True Lacrosse All Region Games and only True teams will play. I say if it takes them out of some of the regulars on the tournament circuit, then that is a good thing.

Value added post

It for evaluating True players for their national teams. Nothing to see here.

False. This is a completely different money grabing [Censored] show of an event.

Then don’t participate. Either way give it a rest.

Any tournament that removes a True green stain from any other tournament is welcome.

True is the poster child for everything that is wrong in YOUTH sports.

There were multiple Aloha and other B-level tournaments that had entire divisions that were just True teams this summer.
Makes complete sense for True to hold their own tournament to play themselves and pay themselves.

Time to channel your inner Elsa from Frozen and Let it go, let it go.....

True needs to host its own "in-house" league to keep the mediocrity out of HoCo.

…but your son plays for True

Yes. But only because he got cut from Breakers.

Getting cut from Breakers , talk about a low blow.

Google True Larosse Lawsuits and you will see if you think this organization is a good fit for your kids.

Google Cabell Maddux email and see if you think that organization is a good fit for your kid.

Watch MM sideline antics and see if you think that organization is a good fit for your kid.

Google the company you work for and see if that is a good fit for you.

Dude, just observe your kid’s coach and ask your kid if he’s having fun and learning. Don’t overthink it.

This!