A look at the admissions process along the ISL landscape

Mike Swirbalus is one of many players who made it through the admissions process at St. Sebastian's. (Credit: St. Sebastian's School)

While the fall can be a quiet part of the year for lacrosse in terms of playing the sport, in the Independent School League, the admissions process and all that comes with it is in full swing.

Adam White, the coach for St. Sebastian's, teaches English and Writing, but currently also is attending some showcases and tournaments with prospective players just to see them play.

Not every school in the ISL starts at the same grade — some, like Milton Academy, begin at kindergarten — and St. Sebastian's is an all-boys school that goes from seventh through 12th. Therefore, the exercise of bringing in student-athletes is different from one age group to the next.

"My feeling is that it really should deemphasize the lacrosse program and their coach," said White, whose team had an undefeated ISL record a year ago. "When we're talking about a kid selecting their high school, I think it's much, more more important to find the right fit academically and socially for them, that it's the right distance from home. Whatever the factors are, that's all way more important. So we're trying to balance that with trying to have a more successful program, and trying to get good players in. I see my job as getting as much information on players so I can evaluate them and let admissions know."