We talk all the time about the difference between being a series of club lacrosse teams and a club lacrosse Program. We take pride in calling ourselves a Program for a variety of reasons. Now, the same goes for a High School team vs a High School program OR a college team vs. a college program. From FLG’s perspective of what it takes to be ‘successful’, I’ve listed some necessities that make for a successful HS & College Program.
Green jack, gold jacket. College program, High School program.
Successful High School Programs
- Have a Youth and Middle School program built around the same philosophies as the High School Program.
- Have lots of coaches who know the game
- Have lots of enthusiastic and positive people involved in the Program
- Varsity coach who is involved in all age levels
- Varsity coach who is willing to educate other coaches and players within the lacrosse community
- Strong sense of community
- Varsity players who want to help the youth and serve as good role models
- Opportunities for players to give back to the sport or their community
- A focus on development of character, athleticism, skills, and knowledge for the game, not winning or losing
- Help players in the program with the college recruiting process
Successful College Programs
- Recruit from High School Programs that have the same philosophies as the college program
- Have lots of coaches who know the game
- Have lots of enthusiastic and positive people involved in the program
- Have a Head Coach that is involved in every class on his team, from freshmen to seniors
- Have coaches who are willing to educate other coaches and players within the lacrosse community
- Strong sense of school pride
- Have Varsity players who want to help the youth and serve as good role models
- Opportunities for players to give back to the sport, their college, or are surround their colleg.
- Primary focus on development of character, athleticism, skills, and knowledge for the game, not winning or losing
- Help players in the program with the job recruitment process
What are some similarities you see between these two lists?
