A few weeks ago, Road to Prep staged its second annual Battle Ground tournament, where 18 high school and prep programs competed in a one-day event in front of over 50 college coaches.
Each team was coached by college coaches, and prep coaches didn’t have any involvement in the running or organization of the event. NEPSAC rules strictly prohibit its coaches from having a hand in any offseason activities with their team.
But if it weren’t for the cool temperatures and scenic foliage, one might have thought the action held in Fitchburg, Mass., was a regular season tournament. There was a clear sense of team camaraderie in each scrimmage, and the games were physical and intense.
New Hampton didn’t want to lose to Governor’s Academy. Neither did Phillips Exeter in its matchup with Groton. So on and so forth. There was a different level of pride on each sideline.
It got me thinking: What if prep coaches were allowed to coach their teams in the fall? What would fall lacrosse look like under that model?
