November 10, 2009
Division 1 lacrosse is not for all
by Jack Piatelli/
When you are deciding which college to attend, playing Division 1 lacrosse should not be your top priority. I know many players who chose a school for one reason: to participate in its Division 1 lacrosse program. Playing Division 1 lacrosse is not for every player. To play at that level you have to be a talented player and you must be mentally tough. You have to be able to balance a demanding lacrosse schedule and schoolwork. You must be willing to train 12 months a year and give up much of your social life. Today, Division 1 lacrosse has become very competitive. The programs have increased pressure to win. Like professional sports, Division 1 lacrosse has become a business and coaches are judged on wins and losses. If you win you are rewarded with top recruits, lucrative equipment, and compensation contracts. There is much to gain for the schools and coaches if you win.
Only a few Division 1 lacrosse players attend a university on a full scholarship. The word scholarship is used much too loosely. If you are one of the fortunate ones awarded scholarship money, it comes at a price. There is much pressure on players to maintain their scholarship dollars. The requirements in the classroom are high (a very positive thing) but the expectations from the coaches outside the classroom are extremely demanding. Players who can handle the pressures of the Division 1 environment will be successful. Some of the most talented players in the country can’t handle the pressure and move on. When you sign on, you are committing yourself to the program for 12 months per year, for four years. The training is extremely demanding. If you are not 100 percent on board with the program and the coach’s philosophy, it will be very difficult for you to be successful. I am not trying to discourage players from setting goals but I think parents and players must be realistic when deciding if a school is a good fit. I believe there is a school and a program for all players at all levels.
The average roster for a Division 1 school is 45 players. The number of players who get on the field during a game at any college level is 18 to 20. The top 15–18 players see most of the playing time. If you plan to play at the Division 1 level you have to be a very good player and you must be patient. It is rare for freshmen to see much playing time at any college level. If you are a superstar high school player, depending on where you attend school, you may have to wait a year or two get the playing time that you will be satisfied with. To play at the top five programs in the country as a freshman is almost impossible. You have to be an extremely gifted athlete to contribute to your team as a freshman. If you take a look at these top rosters and look how many freshman see time, it’s very few.
It can be a difficult adjustment for players who were never were taken off the field during their previous four seasons. A number of these players have made the adjustment and have become superstars at the college level. But there is usually too much at risk for top division college coaches to allow freshmen to play. You will not see too many of these coaches rely on their freshmen to win. Winning is everything at these high profile schools. You have to be a special individual to gain the coaches trust as a true freshman.
There is nothing wrong with waiting a year or two to get your time on the field. The question is, are you willing to wait for your chance? Remember, every year 15 to 20 new (very talented) recruits will be brought in to take or fight for your job. The benefit of waiting is the chance to practice with very good coaches and athletes. Practicing with these top players on a daily basis for two years will make you a better player and person. Unless you are a top 20 recruit in the country you must go into the first year at your Division 1 school year knowing the chances of playing as a freshman are slim. Keep in mind there is much that takes place throughout the school year. Players will get hurt and some will not keep up with their studies. Players must stay focused on practicing hard and continuing to improve their skills.
There are three reasons players are able to represent Division 1 programs: skill level, athleticism, and consistency. There is nothing wrong with playing at a good Division 2 or 3 program. If you want to play right away and possibly play for a national championship, it does not hurt to look at one of those schools. If a school is willing to give you money to attend, certainly explore the opportunity. When you visit a school, make sure you watch a practice and attend a game. I highly recommend that you attend a team meeting with the coaches. Talk to a number of players on the team and ask questions about the school, program, and the coaches. Ask yourself what you are looking for in a coach. Do you like the coach’s style, do you like how he coaches in a game situation? Are you pleased with how he or she interacts with the players? Always ask the coach how many players he is recruiting at your preferred position.
There are so many great schools with very strong programs. The choices are seemingly endless. The good news is there is a good place for any player whose goal is to play college lacrosse. Best of luck in your search.
