Tailored for high school athletes, this comprehensive guide from Think Academy provides essential insights and step-by-step advice to navigate the intricate path toward collegiate success. From grasping the nuances of college lacrosse levels to understanding the recruiting process, this article serves as a valuable roadmap for aspiring players aiming to excel in their lacrosse journey at the next level. 

Lacrosse: Where Sport Meets Heritage

Lacrosse, a captivating team sport, blends the essence of basketball, soccer, and hockey into an exhilarating game. With roots tracing back to North America’s indigenous peoples as early as the 12th century, it proudly stands as the continent’s oldest organized sport.

Why Choose College Lacrosse?

1. Personal Growth and Scholarships

College lacrosse serves as a platform for athletes to honor the sport’s heritage while fostering fitness, discipline, and teamwork. Participation in lacrosse teams fosters personal growth, leadership, and resilience. It opens doors to competitive play, exposure to pro prospects, and financial support through scholarships.

2. A Competitive Edge in College Admissions

Our previous article, “Unlocking College Opportunities: The Top 3 Sports for High School Athletes,” highlights lacrosse’s exceptional college admissions and D1 enlistment rates. Compared to other sports, male lacrosse players have the highest odds of securing college varsity and Division 1 spots. Around 3-4 players from an average high school team gain admission to college lacrosse. Female players enjoy twice the national average chance of making D1 teams. This admissions advantage makes lacrosse a promising avenue for college pursuits.

How Should I Strategically Plan My High School Years?

Crafting your journey as a student-athlete in Lacrosse demands diligent preparation. If the realm of lacrosse holds your interest, here’s a comprehensive guide outlining strategic steps for each semester, complete with important dates:

Grade 9

• Winter: Engage in winter leagues or clinics and explore local colleges.
• Spring: Focus on excelling with your high school team.
• Summer: Seize the opportunity of a summer camp.

Grade 10

• Fall: Begin researching and compiling your college list.
• Winter: Participate in winter leagues or camps.
• Spring: Observe college games and refine your list.
• Summer: Embark on visits to your top college choices.

Grade 11

• Fall: Following September 1st, coaches may contact you; respond professionally and promptly.
• Winter & Spring: Keep coaches updated on upcoming tournaments and standardized tests.
• By July 1st: Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, send transcripts and scores to coaches, finalize your highlight video, and participate in coach-attended tournaments and camps.

Grade 12

• Fall: Coaches initiate official campus visits; top athletes might commit to a school during this period.
• Winter: Maintain communication with coaches if you haven’t committed yet.
• Spring: Seal the deal by officially committing to a school by May 1st. 

Aiming for the Ivies: What Level of Excellence Is Required?

Aspiring to be part of the Ivy League calls for more than just impressive grades. A robust athletic profile is a key component, exemplified by the journey of Stephanie Hong, a 5’5” Harvard University women’s lacrosse athlete.

Prior to college, Stephanie’s exceptional talents shone brightly as a 4-year letterwinner at Holton-Arms School, where she captained the team in 2019. Notably, her accomplishments included several tournament accolades, such as being honored as a US Lacrosse All-American in 2018-19, earning First Team All-Met recognition in the same years, and securing a spot on the esteemed Under Armour All-American Team (Washington D.C) in 2018. Throughout her high school journey, Stephanie impressively recorded 290 goals and contributed 101 assists, a testament to her dedication to the sport. Yet her prowess was not limited to lacrosse, as she actively engaged in varsity soccer.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, she was also recognized with a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program and held a distinguished membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. Additionally, she achieved an award in the National Latin Exam and devoted her time to volunteering for both Horizons and Stop Hunger Now.

Stephanie’s high school experience reflects a well-rounded journey:

• Grade 11: Varsity Lacrosse, Capital Lacrosse Club, Ceramics, Blue Team Assistant Captain, Chemathon, Young Entrepreneurs, Think Pink, Panther Pack, Tour Guides, DC Metro team 1
• Grade 12: Varsity Lacrosse, Tour Guide President, Blue Team Captain, Varsity Lacrosse Captain, Secretary of Think Pink Club, Boosters Society

Stephanie’s example clearly underscores Ivy League institutions’ appreciation for students who not only excel in lacrosse and achieve athletic recognition but also actively participate in other sports or clubs. 

Different College Lacrosse Levels: How Can I Gauge My Fit?

The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has three division levels: Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. There’s also the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Understanding the varying requirements is crucial for aspiring lacrosse players aiming to compete at their desired level.

NCAA Division 1 (D1)

D1 teams seek top-tier athletes with remarkable academic achievements, often providing athletic scholarships. Coaches wield significant influence in admissions, intensifying the competition. Roughly the top 5% of high school lacrosse players earn scholarships for D1 teams.

NCAA Division 2 (D2)

D2 programs provide a highly competitive environment comparable to D1, though with slightly fewer openings. With only 82 men’s D2 lacrosse programs, each team averages around 36 spots. The distinction in skill between D1 and D2 lacrosse is minimal, making D2 a compelling choice.

NCAA Division 3 (D3)

D3 schools focus on recruiting athletes who excel academically. Though no athletic scholarships are offered, robust academic packages are common. Top D3 programs recruit talent on par with D1 and D2, frequently offering academic scholarships that surpass athletic counterparts in higher divisions. Coaches have limited sway over admissions at this level.

NAIA

NAIA programs also place emphasis on a combination of lacrosse skills and academic dedication. NAIA lacrosse programs are comparable to NCAA Division 2. Thriving at the NAIA level demands a strong lacrosse skillset, unwavering academic commitment, and a fervent passion for the sport. Understanding these nuances empowers aspiring players to navigate their journey effectively.

College Lacrosse Recruiting: How Can I Navigate the Process?

1. The Start of Lacrosse Recruiting

Lacrosse recruiting officially begins on September 1st of a player’s junior year. This date marks the initiation of conversations between college coaches and student athletes, signaling the start of the recruitment process.

2. The Significance of the September 1st Rule

In 2017, collaborative efforts by the NCAA, USA Lacrosse, and the IWLCA/IMLCA resulted in the establishment of the September 1st rule. This rule aims to curtail early recruiting for lacrosse teams, offering student-athletes ample time to concentrate on high school studies and athletic progress before embarking on the college recruitment journey. This approach fosters a balanced environment conducive to comprehensive personal and athletic growth, preparing them for successful collegiate endeavors.

3. Understanding the Recruiting Calendar

The NCAA meticulously organizes the lacrosse recruiting calendar into five distinct periods: contact, evaluation, quiet, dead, and recruiting shutdown. Please refer to the chart below for a comprehensive breakdown of communication allowances during each period.

It is important to note that NCAA recruiting calendars vary across divisions and may differ between men’s and women’s teams. For instance, Division 1 men’s teams mainly encompass three periods in their calendar – the contact period, quiet period, and dead period. Conversely, Division 1 women’s teams adhere to all five periods.

The allowed communications during the recruiting process are dynamic, involving alternating periods. For instance, from December 22-26, 2023, a four-day recruiting shutdown occurs, followed by a contact period from December 27-30, only to return to a shutdown on the 31st. 

4. Understanding the Periodic Alternations

These alternating periods are a product of the time-consuming nature of the athlete recruiting process. Players engage in long-term conversations with numerous college coaches while juggling academic commitments, exams, and athletic pursuits. The NCAA designed this calendar to strike a balance, regulating coach communication while facilitating essential, long-term discussions. This empowers student-athletes to effectively manage their academic, athletic, and recruitment responsibilities.

For detailed information on the 2023-24 NCAA lacrosse recruiting calendars, kindly visit the following links: 2023-24 D1 Men’s Lacrosse Calendar, 2023-24 D1 Women’s Lacrosse Calendar, 2023-24 D2 Recruiting Calendar  

Crafting a Robust Player Profile: Where to Take the Field?

With lacrosse emerging as the fastest-growing sport in the United States over the past two decades, the quest to build a formidable player profile gains momentum. In 2010, a mere 344 women’s NCAA varsity programs and 262 men’s programs existed. Today, those numbers have surged to an impressive 594 and 463 respectively, reflecting the sport’s remarkable expansion.

This growth resonates across the youth and high school levels, with lacrosse gaining fervent popularity. Aspiring players are met with diverse opportunities at each stage:

Youth Level

Enthusiastic young players typically acquire tournament information through local communities or their affiliated clubs. Enrollment is facilitated via club sign-ups, propelling them into the exciting world of lacrosse.

High School Level

Lacrosse stands as an official championship sport in approximately half of the U.S. states, thanks to NFHS-affiliated associations. Other states offer programs through lacrosse-specific organizations. Additionally, clubs extend avenues for high school-aged enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the game.

College Level

The college lacrosse landscape offers an extensive array of playing levels, providing aspiring athletes with diverse opportunities to embrace the sport. Here’s a glimpse into the various options available:

• The NCAA offers a total of 539 women’s and 406 men’s varsity lacrosse programs across Division I, II, and III.
• The Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (MCLA) and Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) boast over 200 club programs each.
• The National Collegiate Lacrosse League (NCLL) features nearly 100 club teams.
• The NAIA has around 40 programs competing at college level and around 20 at junior college level. 

Should I Join a Club as an Aspiring Lacrosse Athlete?

Absolutely.

To play lacrosse in college, becoming part of a top club lacrosse team early on is essential. Club players gain access to high-level tournaments, summer recruiting camps, and showcase events. College coaches also tend to concentrate their attention on top club teams. 

What if I’m on a High School Team? Does it Count?

Not entirely.

In high school sports, players’ skills can significantly vary between smaller schools (D5) and larger high schools (D1). Moreover, talent disparities also exist across different regions of the country. Hence, college coaches cannot solely rely on statistics from high school lacrosse, as accomplishments are not directly comparable across schools.

Club lacrosse solves this problem by providing a level playing field. Their structured team approach enables fair evaluation and creates an equitable environment for showcasing talent, allowing coaches to assess potential recruits more easily.

Additionally, club coaches often possess valuable connections to college coaches, making them invaluable resources during the recruiting process.

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To learn more about athlete recruiting, watch our informative webinar on YouTube. You can also connect with us at info@thethinkacademy.com or call +1 (844) 844-6587. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @ThinkAcademyUSA for exclusive FREE resources and updates on our athlete admission webinar series!