Whether you are just starting to think about college or actively involved in the recruiting and admission processes, consider these five tips:
1. If you want to play college lacrosse, you can.
There are nearly 18,000 college roster spots for men and women across Divisions I, II, III and NAIA. Lacrosse has a higher percentage of high school players who go on to compete at the college level than any other sport. Whether you are a top 100 national player or a substitute on your varsity team, you can find a college team to play on.
2. Have a plan.
The recruiting process rewards student athletes that start early and are proactive. Create a roadmap of what you need to do and when, then follow it!
3. Find the right college fit.
Lacrosse will be just a part of your college life, not your whole life. Find a school that fits your needs from a lacrosse, academic, social and financial perspective.
4. What you do off the field matters.
Good grades and leadership ability coupled with your lacrosse skills can open the doors to some of the best colleges in America. Coaches and admissions officers look for well-rounded athletes that will contribute to the university in ways beyond scoring goals for the lacrosse team. Coaches will look for little things like how you interact with teammates, listen to your coaches, and make adjustments during games. Meanwhile, admissions officers looks for leadership, intellectual curiosity and community involvement, among many other things.
5. College lacrosse is a business.
You will be communicating with coaches who have decided to make lacrosse their profession. In most cases, they must win to keep their jobs. They have enormous time constraints and limited financial resources, so it is critical you present yourself in the best manner at all times, through both the ups and downs of recruiting.
