The Top Lacrosse Recruiting Camps for 2012
This is the fourth year that we have written our recruiting camp guide. Each year, the date that we publish continues to creep earlier in the year. As I am writing (September 2011), players have already started receiving invitations to Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip, Maverik’s Showtime Spotlight and are applying to Top 205 or Super Sophs. As lacrosse has grown, the number of "recruiting" events has grown even faster. It is important to go to the camps / showcases attended by the schools you would like to be seen by. All events are not created equal.
Purchase one of the packages below to ensure your son is going to the right events based on his or her target schools. Click the appropriate box! As a LacrosseRecruits.com Gold Member, you also take advantage of the LacrosseRecruits.com resources and the production of a professional highlight reel to ensure you are doing the right things heading into each recruiting event. Remember, you do not go to recruiting events to be discovered. You go to be seen by schools that already know about you, but want to see more.
Our Lacrosse Camp Guide
This guide is a valuable resource for parents and players who are trying to decide which camps are worth attending. From all of the camps that we have attended as players, coaches and spectators, we put together a list of the top recruiting camps for 2012.
Each lacrosse recruiting camp review has three sections. The first section, or “summary”, is information taken from the lacrosse recruiting camp’s website. This provides a general overview of the recruiting camp. The second, or “overheard”, section features the perspective of players and coaches. This section provides a first-hand view of the lacrosse recruiting camp. In the final section, “our take”, The LacrosseRecruits.com experts provide their perspective on which players can benefit most from that specific lacrosse recruiting camp.
Elite 180 Lacrosse Camp
Keene State, NH - June
http://www.elite180lax.com/index_recruit.php
Summary:
As former Head Coach of the Amherst College Lacrosse team and current Guilford College, Coach Tom Carmean found it to be ineffective to travel to each and every recruiting venue looking for that small faction of student/athlete who could meet the academic and athletic demands of the Northeast's most prestigious colleges. In turn, Elite 180 seeks to bring together the nation's best student/athletes with the some of the nation's best colleges. All the teams are coached by college coaches which provides a great opportunity for the players and coaches to get to know each other. The quality of student-athletes is also excellent at the Elite 180 camp from top to bottom. This is a great camp for rising juniors who want to get their names out to the most selective schools in the country as well as rising seniors getting their last shots.
Overheard:
"We found that your camp allowed our players to get that early look from these highly competitive schools that they might not gotten elsewhere. This exposure no doubt, allowed our players to get a better handle on the recruiting process as it relates to these schools." Ken Miller, Owner Long Island Sting
Our Take:
Elite 180 focuses on exactly what Coach Carmean set out in his camp's mission statement. Giving players the opportunity to be seen by coaches from high level academic schools (NESCAC, Patriot) in a competitive atmosphere. Unlike some of the larger camps, like 205 or Peak 200, Elite 180 keeps their limit of campers low. It has traditionally been known as a NESCAC breeding ground. If you go through the rosters of schools like Middlebury, Williams, Tufts and Trinity you will find multiple players who went through Elite 180. It would have made my recruiting process much easier 10 years ago... Boy, I am getting old.
Fab Frosh (only for 2015s)
New Canaan, CT - July
http://www.fabfroshlacrosse.com/
Summary:
The one day showcase allows top Rising Sophomores to compete in front of an increasingly active group of Division 1 coaches. Fab Frosh is kept to 160 players so each player gets a chance to showcase their skills in at least three games. The showcase builds off of the success the group has had with Super Sophs. Players and their parents participate in a recruiting seminar, a SPARQ combine, and then play games. Each player has access to game film from each game throughout the day.
Overheard:
"Super Sophs provided us everything that we needed to move forward in the recruiting process. From exposure to college coaches, to a great recruiting Q & A session, to very good game film that we have used for our highlight reel. We expect the same of Fab Frosh and are looking forward to the event for our younger son."
Our Take:
Fab Frosh builds on the trend to move early on top level talent as they move from freshman to sophomore year. Things are happening earlier and earlier. To date, almost 50 2014s have committed to Top 10 Division 1 programs. It is a great day of lacrosse and allows players to play in front of college coaches in an intimate environment. Our goal is to give a player everything they need to approach the recruiting process going into Sophomore year and beyond. Coaches come through to watch players complete on two adjacent fields.
To apply for an invite, please visit http://www.fabfroshlacrosse.com/
Good to Great Lacrosse Showcase
Amherst, MA - July
http://www.goodtogreatlacrosse.com/
Summary:
The GOOD to GREAT lacrosse staff is made up of experienced collegiate coaches. Our camps are designed to highlight our philosophy: Individual enhanced skill development can truly transform a young man from being a GOOD lacrosse player, into a GREAT lacrosse player. It is the attention to detail and the clarity of communication which can help a GOOD coach be recognized as a GREAT coach. At GOOD to GREAT: you will be coached by college coaches. With over 30 Colleges In attendance at our GOOD TO GREAT SHOWCASE: players can expect top caliber coaching, as well as high level evaluation.
Overheard:
“Good to Great is run by new Amherst head coach, Jon Thompson. He has a well established lacrosse pedigree ranging from his time as a player at Brown to taking over at Amherst College. The supporting cast of schools that are represented is equally impressive.”
Our Take:
A lacrosse showcase that even Jim Collins would be proud of? Many times, parents are looking for a camp where their son is going to get more out of the experience than just 3 days of games. I think that is exactly what Good to Great has to offer. Coach Thompson stresses an instructional element that is often overlooked at showcase events. The limited number of spots will guarantee more personal learning experiences but will not allow the talent pool to dilute. As many players will experience, one of the problems with two or three sessions of a particular camp is that talent gets spread between the multiple sessions and makes evaluation against consistent talent difficult for coaches. For many families outside of New England, small Division 3 schools are a bit of an enigma. Especially when you come from a place that is dominated by larger state schools. The camp allows student athletes the chance to spend time on a smaller campus and see if they could see themselves ending up at a school like that. When you look at the numbers, the majority of college lacrosse options are small to medium sized Division 3 institutions. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for what that size campus is like.
Personal Anecdote:
The summer before my junior year of high school, my father and I visited Amherst on a New England college road trip. (the trip included visiting Brown, Providence, Dartmouth, UMass, Amherst, shooting pool and testing the limits of my learner’s permit in New Hampshire) Amherst was my first experience with a small liberal arts school and it was the perfect spot to open my eyes to the benefits of a smaller school. Amherst is located near UMass-Amherst and has a very cool college town feel. It was the first time that I really considered the benefits of going to a school with less that 5,000 undergraduates. It opened the doors to schools like Haverford, Hamilton and Wesleyan (my alma mater!).
Jake Reed's Nike Blue Chip
UMBC, MD - June/July
http://lacrossecamp.com/
Summary:
It is the premier recruiting camp for high school lacrosse players. 2009 was the first year of Jake Reed's Nike Blue Chip camp for rising Sophomores. Just like the Junior and Senior camps, the rising Sophomore camp will be held at UMBC. Invites are sent by the camp in the fall to players that pass a strict referral process. There is a 120-player limit for each session of the camp. If the invites are not accepted, additional invitations will be sent to alternates. Last year, all invitees accept by November 22nd.
Overheard:
"If you think your son or player is good enough to play at the highest level, do everything you can to get them at this camp. Be proactive, try to get as many respected coaches as possible to lobby for your son's spot at this camp."
Our Take:
The Gold Standard. If you get an invitation to this camp… go. It is that simple, if you want to play at the highest level of college lacrosse, this camp is your best opportunity to impress top tier coaches by showcasing your skills against the highest level of competition. The number of total players is kept to a manageable level, so coaches are able to get a good look at each player. All of his invites are sent in the mail.
You can submit your highlight reel for a Jake's review and a potential invite here, http://lacrosserecruits.com/jakereedbluechipsubmissions.php, or you can learn more about feeder camps offered by 3d Blue Chip here, http://3dlacrosse.com/3d-blue-chip
National Invite 175
Schenectady NY - July
Summary:
The National Invitational 175 was conceived and is now being launched for the purpose of identifying and assembling the truly best lacrosse players and providing them a venue to display their abilities in front of the leading college lacrosse coaches and their staff in the country. We believe that our camp will emerge as the "camp top players choose” if they get a coveted invitation to show prospective college coaches just how good they really are. Leading coaches are looking for the premier lacrosse players in the country that fit into their program both athletically and academically. Camp organizers include former UMass coach Ted Garber, Darien High School coach Jeff Brameier, Long Island Express Director Mike Chanenchuk, Union College coach Paul Wehrum, Union assistant coach Tucker Kear and longtime lacrosse player, coach and enthusiast Marty Sands of Greenwich, Conn.
Overheard:
"It has the potential to become the next addition to the list of marquee recruiting showcases/camps like Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip or Showtime. You can see the power of the assembled group of Directors by taking a look at the list of the colleges that have already committed to attend. Big time college programs."
Our Take:
National Invite 175 has the potential to be one of the premier recruiting venues in its first year. The strength of this event lies in a really impressive group of directors that have their hands in some of the top travel programs and events in the country. Coach Brameier is the head coach at Darien HS (Darien, CT) and Director of CT Chargers, Coach Chanenchuk is a coach a St. Anthony’s and Director of LI Express and Coach Garber is the head coach at Loomis Chaffee and a New England lacrosse legend. Just based off of their programs alone, they have a lock on a good amount of Top 50 recruits from Long Island through New England. It adds instant credibility to the event and draws the top coaches in the country to attend. They are also allowing players to apply for the camp through an online application and then reviewing coach’s recommendations before sending invites in October.
The application deadline is October 6th. To apply, please click the following link, http://www.natinvite175.com/event/show/23601817
New England Top 150 Lacrosse
Portsmouth Abbey, RI - July
http://www.newenglandtop150lacrossecamp.com/
Summary:
The New England Lacrosse Camp Top 150 provides the experienced high school player with excellent competition and advanced coaching techniques. Each player will have the opportunity to improve their individual techniques and tactical knowledge and to compete against strong competition. Over 50 Colleges are in attendance providing student/athletes an opportunity to meet college coaches.
Overheard:
"The camp has a great corral of Ivy and NESCAC coaches out there. They aren't just scouting, they are getting players better. And you will see lots of high level, intelligent lacrosse players."
Our Take:
This is one of the rare recruiting camps that teach players how to become better. It also boasts a full roster of coaches from the top programs in the Northeast. Every level, D1 to D3. From UMASS, Yale, Tufts, Providence, Bryant, Vermont, Middlebury, Bates, to name a few. The coaching staff is excellent, and they care about the players and helping their game. The experience is more personal than most camps out there.
Peak 200
Springfield, MA - June
http://peak200lacrosse.com/index.html
Summary:
The Peak 200 Lacrosse Camp is a focused, competitive program designed to provide the best possible advanced coaching and playing experience for the nation's most exceptional secondary school players. Each player will be on a team with its own complete coaching staff and will be exposed to individual, position and team training. Emphasis will be placed on advanced techniques, tactics and strategies from some of the top coaches in the country.
Overheard:
"It is a fun camp that has good competition, good numbers and a number of scouts."
Our Take:
Having a college coach as the coach of your team at Peak 200 gives you an opportunity to be exposed to great coaching for the entire week. Not only are you getting better, but as you play all the other teams at the camp, it also gives you the opportunity to play in front of a lot of coaches. Peak 200 also has a great “College Fair” night where each school in attendance sets up a booth and you are given time to speak with all the coaches. In is a recruiting hot spot for UMass. We have had 3 players last summer who played at Peak 200 and ended up committing to the school.
Prep School Lacrosse Showcase
Brunswick School, Greenwich, CT
June 3rd, 2012
Summary:
This invitation-only event brought together players from 25 prep schools located throughout the Northeast, New Jersey and Long Island last year. It is a premier early summer recruiting event at Avon Old Farms. Only uncommitted underclassman were invited by their varsity coach, total number of teams was limited to ten with a roster size of only 22 - 23 players, each team plays three games, and competition was limited to three adjacent regulation lacrosse fields. The combination of these factors ensured that every participant received a fair amount of playing time and was guaranteed to be seen by a large number of college coaches.
Overheard:
“In its first year, Prep Showcase positioned itself as an early summer must attend event. While most other schools in the Northeast are in the first rounds of playoffs, you get the cream of the prep school leagues.” (Anonymous D1 Coach)
Our Take:
Besides Nike Blue Chip and Showtime, this Showcase had the most coaches on the sidelines at any event that we attended. At this point, coaches are following talent. Schools like Salisbury, Deerfield & Brunswick have been pumping players out and this is where they are playing.
To apply, please email tim@ctlaxtraining.com. UNCOMMITTED players are put on a review list only if they are recommended to us by their respective varsity coach. Invites are not guaranteed. We then have a committee that will decide if a player is offered an invitation.
Showtime Recruiting: National Recruiting Showcase
WCSU, CT - July
http://www.showtimelax.com/
Summary:
160 of the top rising sophomores (Class 2015) and juniors (Class of 2014) with college lacrosse aspirations will compete at Western Connecticut State University, in Danbury (Fairfield County), CT. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills while being individually assessed during position specific instruction and game sessions. CT. Many top DI coaching staffs will be in attendance. In 2011, some of the nation's top coaching staffs were in attendance, headlined by Johns Hopkins, Maryland and Syracuse.
Overheard:
"Besides Jake Reed's Blue Chip or Top 205's MD All Star game, the afternoon/evening of the Showtime All Star game had more top D1 programs than any other event of the summer. The biggest different from ’10 to ’11 was that the camp became a 80% D1 player pool. Very few of these players will end up playing D3.” (D3 Assistant Coach)
Our Take:
This camp is run by former Syracuse standouts, Paul Carcaterra, Joe Ceglia and Mike Springer. They offer invite only spots to rising Sophomores and Juniors. The camp is in its 4th year at Western Connecticut State University. Last year's camp drew a wide range of top-notch players from throughout the country. The lowdown on this camp is that it is a great place to be seen by some big time programs. As we quoted above, the sideline of the All Star game was extremely impressive with almost 25 of the top 30 D1 programs in attendance. Since the camp is only open to rising sophomores and juniors, this camp is for top players that want to play at the D1 level.
Super Sophs (only for 2014s)
New Canaan, CT - July
http://supersophslacrosse.com/
Summary:
A one day showcase allows the top players in the tri state area to compete at the end of the summer when Division 1 coaches are focused on Rising Juniors. The event is kept to 200 players so each player gets a chance to showcase their skills in front of college coaches. Last summer was the second year of the event and they had a very strong showing of Ivy and Northeast coaches. Players and their parents participate in a recruiting seminar, a SPARQ combine, and then play games. Each player has access to game film from each game throughout the day.
Overheard:
"Super Sophs provided that us everything that we needed to move forward in the recruiting process. From exposure to college coaches, to a great recruiting Q & A session, to very good game film that we have used for our highlight reel."
Our Take:
Disclaimer: LacrosseRecruits.com is involved with organizing this event. (We are not being biased... I promise) It is a great day of lacrosse and allows players to play in front of college coaches in an intimate environment. As the parent said above, the event gives a player everything they need to approach the recruiting process going into September of their Junior year. Coaches come through to watch players complete on two adjacent fields.
Invitations for this showcase go out in October. Unlike camps like Top 205, registration is limited. To apply for an invite, please visit http://supersophslacrosse.com/boys-application/
Ted Spencer's Blue Chip 225
Bryant College, RI
It is one of the top recruiting camps for high school lacrosse players in the Northeast. You can expect to be coached during the week in both practice and game situations by college coaches, and to be observed by other college coaches who attend camp as observers and evaluators. You can expect to learn about the college recruiting process from the people who do it. What are the recruiting rules; who to talk to; what to expect on visits, how to communicate with coaches and a whole lot more.
Overheard:
"This camp is worthwhile if you are invited to play in the Elite Division. Prior to the camp, there are invitations sent to select players to compete on elite teams. The college coaches tended to focus on the elite level games. In the first night, there are scrimmages and players can be moved to the elite teams."
Our Take:
Coach Spencer does a good job drawing top talent to the camp along with a strong showing of D1, D2 and D3 coaches. Last year, he joined forces with Coach Pressler to host the camp at Bryant. The location secures its spot as a Northeast destination for exposure to Northeast programs.
Texas 99
June
Summary:
The camp covers the Top 99 players in the state selected by the HS coaches. Over 50 colleges were represented. Top 20 D1 schools like Notre Dame, Yale, Towson, Ohio State,, Army, Air Force, Dartmouth and Penn State as well as developing programs like Hartford, Bellarmine and Manhattan College. Additionally, top D2 and D3 programs like Washington and Lee, Salisbury State, Merrimack College, Bates College, Bowdoin, Limestone, etc attended.
Our Take:
Coach Byrne from ND runs a very well attended camp. You can see by the schools that they list above on their website. The camp is a lifeline for strong high school players from Texas who might not have the opportunity to attend camps on the East Coast. More and more this camp is becoming a feeding ground for D3 programs that are looking for players outside their traditional regions.
The Showcase
Sonoma State University, CA - July
Summary:
Unlike other regional or state recruiting events the Adrenaline Showcase features only the top 150 recommended players from the entire western United States. By not just having players from one state the Showcase is recognized as the best collection of talent in the West. Top players attend from northern CA, southern CA, AZ, UT, NV, TX, CO, ID, OR, WA, MO and Canada to compete in round robin style games for the largest assembly of NCAA coaches west of the Mississippi. NCAA Division 1 college coaches will be on hand to coach and work directly with the participants with quality clinics, post-game chalk talks, and college-style practices that will be held throughout this 2-day program. Realizing that not every player is a Division 1 collegiate fit Adrenaline has multiple NCAA division 2, 3 and MCLA recruiters on hand so that each participant has a realistic potential collegiate fit.
Overheard:
"The amount of players that have been recruited out of this camp over the past few years is impressive. It used to be where you would go to find a diamond in the rough, but now you can add 5 to 10 players to your recruiting list." Anonymous D1 Coach
Our Take:
The event draws top coaches from throughout the country. Clinic Directors, Kevin Corrigan, Gerry Byrne and Ryan Wellner and the Adrenaline staff all do a great job bringing coaches in and making sure players get looks that they might not have received anyplace else. The event gets the strongest players from throughout the West. It is a well-rounded representation of players who will end up playing MCLA, D3 and D1 from the Western States.
Top 205
College Park, MD/Towson, MD, CU-Boulder, CO - July
http://www.top205lacrossecamps.com/
Summary:
The original recruiting camp. It is still regarded as one of the best opportunities to be seen by the top-level coaches. They offer three sessions for players, rising juniors and two open Top 205 camp sessions. The 4 days provide players with the opportunity to go from unknown to on the tip of the coaching communities tongues with an impressive couple of days of play.
Overheard:
"Do not expect to get much individual instruction, this camp is almost all playing, but coaches are camped out on the sidelines."
Our Take:
The camp is known as a stronghold for colleges from the South. The opportunities are there to be seen. It is the best alternative to Jake Reed's Blue Chip camp. If you make the All Star team you are guaranteed looks from top 10 Division 1 programs. The new Top 205 West is a good opportunity for Western players to be seen East Coast coaches.