Early recruiting is continuing to take effect on the lacrosse community, with players committing to colleges earlier and earlier. The issue has even reached students that haven’t played a minute of high school lacrosse.
US Lacrosse members can dive into the issue of early recruiting, the faces of players affected by the process and the pending NCAA legislation that could save the sport from itself.
ON THE COVER
Eighth-graders Lydia Cassilly and Bobby Baird are not thinking about college — though in today’s recruiting environment, college coaches may already be thinking about them.
COLUMNS
From the CEO: Early Recruiting’s Erosive Effect
The positive culture of youth lacrosse is being destroyed and the best interests of children are ignored as a result of early recruiting, writes US Lacrosse president and CEO Steve Stenersen.
BY STEVE STENERSEN
From the Editor: The Lax Bro Phase
Lacrosse’s subculture is part of what drew most of us to the sport in the first place. We were skateboarding with sticks. We can’t disown that now, writes US Lacrosse editor-in-chief Matt DaSilva
BY MATT DASILVA
FEATURES
Landmark Decision
A deep dive into the pending NCAA legislation that could save the sport from itself.
BY JUSTIN FEIL
Straight from the Source
We asked several U.S. team players — men and women who double as college coaches in their respective games — for useful insights about the recruiting process from both perspectives .
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
In Their Words
Recent and current lacrosse prospects, the real people affected most by early recruiting, share their experiences with the process.
AS TOLD TO MATT HAMILTON
More than Meets the Buckeye
Beneath Eric Fannell’s brooding surface reside the embers of an unbridled love of the game his estranged father taught him.
BY COREY MCLAUGHLIN
Whittle Me This
She can sprint and she can score, but can she lead? With Taylor Cummings moving on from College Park, Megan Whittle steps into the spotlight.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
FUEL
Safer and Fairer
In December, US Lacrosse announced it had entered into a multi-year partnership with NXT Sports to run the annual US Lacrosse Nationals event beginning in 2018.
BY BRIAN LOGUE
Life After Lax
As a Lax Sports Network host, the Boston Cannons’ Josh Hawkins makes lacrosse a full-time endeavor.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER
#LaxCon
Sights and sounds from the US Lacrosse Convention, which took place from Jan. 20-22 in Baltimore.
One on One (Sponsored Content)
Individual training with a development mindset.
BY AMANDA TRENDELL // TRILOGY LACROSSE
T is for Tenacity
Lacrosse comes full circle for Theresa Sherry.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
USA INSIDER
Chasing Rings
With lacrosse set to debut on the world stage, there’s more at stake than gold medals.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
PHOTO BY SCOTT MCCALL
How To: Attack the Pole
Downhill dodging with Team USA pool player Myles Jones.
BY MATT HAMILTON
Late Bloomers
Why Team USA’s Rob Pannell and Marcus Holman loathe early recruiting.
BY MATT WHITE
How To: Play One-Handed
Team USA midfielder Ally Carey speeds up the transition game.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER
USL INSIDER
Preseason Prep at LaxCon
For the third time in four years, more than 7,000 coaches, officials, leaders, exhibitors, speakers and fans participated in the annual US Lacrosse Convention for a weekend of learning in preparation for the season.
BY PAUL KROME
GIVE & GO
Nicole Levy
Syracuse’s sidearm slinger flips the switch.
BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER