whether PWO, scholarship, partial schollie, DI, II, or III, here's some unsolicited advice. Our daughter was a HS lacrosse player. She's a freshman this year and her club teammates are playing at programs around the country. They range from D1s like USC, Louisville, Oregon, James Madison, and Bryant to D3s. I think one kid is playing club; the rest are all playing at some level. (At least for those who have a season.)
Now, I know that women's lacrosse isn't a revenue sport (believe me) but having seen what these young ladies went through during recruiting and are experiencing now my advice would be the same for anyone, regardless of sport, UNLESS your child is clearly a kid who might have a pro career. (About 1% or so of NCAA athletes go on to pro football or basketball careers; it's about 8% or so for baseball).
Here is the advice: Have your child decide which school(s) they want to attend as if they were never going to play a sport. Then, within that list of schools, if they want to play a sport and they pick the school whose coach they want to play for, great.
The number of kids who are already considering quitting or transferring -- or who are injured or just plain miserable -- is eye-opening, even for a jaded skeptic like me. (Edit: Our daughter is not miserable. She ended up at a D3 and is having a great time because, long before i gave her this advice, this was her plan. When she was in utero she decided on a list of schools and never deviated.)
Good talk. Thanks.
Now, I know that women's lacrosse isn't a revenue sport (believe me) but having seen what these young ladies went through during recruiting and are experiencing now my advice would be the same for anyone, regardless of sport, UNLESS your child is clearly a kid who might have a pro career. (About 1% or so of NCAA athletes go on to pro football or basketball careers; it's about 8% or so for baseball).
Here is the advice: Have your child decide which school(s) they want to attend as if they were never going to play a sport. Then, within that list of schools, if they want to play a sport and they pick the school whose coach they want to play for, great.
The number of kids who are already considering quitting or transferring -- or who are injured or just plain miserable -- is eye-opening, even for a jaded skeptic like me. (Edit: Our daughter is not miserable. She ended up at a D3 and is having a great time because, long before i gave her this advice, this was her plan. When she was in utero she decided on a list of schools and never deviated.)
Good talk. Thanks.
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