I know for me, a huge question that I'm constantly facing is: where do I want to play lacrosse in college? Lax is a huge part of my life, and I would hate for it to end when I leave for the next level.
If you're like most of the laxers out there, you want to shoot for the highest level: NCAA Division 1. This is the ultimate goal of pretty much everybody who has ever really gotten into lacrosse. Playing for one of those high level programs like Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Virginia, Duke (sadly...), Notre Dame (???), Cornell, etc. has always been a dream of mine. However, when I finally looked at the kind of talent that was going to those kinds of schools, and the amount of academic achievement that it would take to get me into one of the top lacrosse schools, I flinched.
I know that you should always try to shoot for the best that you can be, but sometimes you need a reality check. My Dad put it to me this way once: start with the people on your team. Are you the best? If so, what about your area? What about your section of the state you live in? The actual state? The region? The COUNTRY? Those kids that get to the regional/country level and can still say that they (honestly) top the charts are the ones that are going to end up playing for a Syracuse or a Hopkins. It finally struck me one day that I was not the best on my team, so all of the others had to be true as well. It frustrated the hell out of me, and now I'm on a training program to try and get to be one of the best. But that's beside the point.
The point is, if you're not good enough for one of those higher-level programs, DON'T FEEL BAD. There are THOUSANDS of kids who are in the same position as you. Some kids just don't have the natural athletic ability, size, speed, hand eye coordination, etc. to really be the best. If that's true for you, then Division 2 and 3 are completely viable options, and give you a chance to play a high level of NCAA lacrosse.
Another option, for those who want to maybe go to a school for academic reasons, and just play lacrosse for fun, is club. There are some cases in the MCLA in which the team has considered going Division 2 or 3, but because of the Title 9 restriction, they can't because they would have to spend the same amount of money on the women's program as well. Some MCLA programs such as BYU, Michigan, Chapman, and Oregon are truly dominant, and they play a very high level of lacrosse. I know that I personally am considering attending UC Santa Barbara, and a couple other California schools that haven't gone to the NCAA just because of Title 9.
Another question is the issue of playing time. I know that I would rather contribute to a team from the very get-go, and be a team leader in my third and fourth year, rather than ride the pine for the first two years and only get to play for my junior and senior year. Playing at a lower level program and being a starter is a lot more fun than playing at a Syracuse or Hopkins and not contributing seriously for two years.
The bottom line is, make the choice that's right for you, and don't just make it about lacrosse. Make it about where you really want to go to college, and have the best experience.
And most of all, KEEP LAXIN.
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