Lewis and Clark

[Steno]

Has folded. Just received a note about that today. Thoughts?

I for one am very sad to see a team leave the league like this, especially one with a great history like Lewis and Clark. My high school coach, Cam Spaulding, played there for 4 years and loved it.

[Hi-Line Lax]

I was making a post about their previous championship as you posted... ironic.

I'm not surprised. Last year when we went their the team had mismatched uniforms, spray painted helmets & gloves, and hardly resembled a "team" at all. It's too bad, but the conference should focus on making it harder for teams to compete instead of allowing everybody to play now... though I understand the history there.

[WouD33]

I have to say that it is a sad day to see another program go this year after Linfield's departure the previous season. You hate to see a program with that much history end up in a situation like this. I have a buddy there who played with me in high school who loves it. I am sad to hear he cannot play there anymore.

I see the point in making things harder (as in requirements to be in the league) so that these situations do not happen. But perhaps there could be another answer. If a program really feels like it cannot play a season an entire season, maybe with enough pre-warning, it could be excused from play for that season without facing a huge penalty. I understand this could create a whole host of problems, but if done correctly, maybe it could save some programs. We do not want to exclude people from playing this game, we are here not only to play but also to help the game spread. Heavily punishing teams that fall on hard times I dont believe is the answer. We would have to address the potential problem of teams using this as an excuse if they are not going to be competitive. If they truly cannot be, for whatever reason, then maybe forcing them to play out the season and then kicking them out when they resign is not the answer.

Good luck to L&C in the future, and I hope that they can find a way to come back into the league.

[Hi-Line Lax]

I don't think their team has to disappear and stop playing... all I'm saying is maybe they shouldn't play in the PNCLL/MCLA. There are other leagues you can join, play in the PNLA's, or schedule whoever will take the time to play you. What exactly are the "hard times" except for a lack of organization and leadership? The game is growing at over 300% at the youth level in the Northwest, it's not about players.

We (the PNCLL) aren't here to spread the game anymore... the game is doing fine with that on its own. We are here to help develop teams that wish to elevate their games beyond the traditional club sport. The competition should remain as high as possible, IMO.

Lewis & Clark, Washington State, and Linfield can serve as cautionary tales from the past few years, but I think we should all have learned our lesson by now... I know after my freshman year we went on suspension for forfeits, but we fixed the problem right away. It's not easy work to maintain a club team year in and year out, but all you have to do is work for it. I'm glad WSU is back in and I'm sorry to see Linfield and maybe L & C go, but their stories take away something from all the other teams that have been working hard to compete year in year out.

[TheBearcatHimself]

I don't think their team has to disappear and stop playing... all I'm saying is maybe they shouldn't play in the PNCLL/MCLA. There are other leagues you can join, play in the PNLA's,

You are 100% correct, in fact Linfield is currently fielding a team in the PNLA, however with their strong alumni base the team is probably not all composed of current Linfield students. I hope to see Linfield return in the future.

Lewis and Clark has had a plague of athletic team problems. For you Northwest Conference fans out there you will remember they had to forfeit their 2006 football season due to lack of players. Sadly, Lewis and Clark seems to be morphing into Reed College-West Campus in Portland, shoving athletics by the wayside. While lacrosse is not an athletic department venture, the attitudes towards athletics on campus surely have a trickle down affect.

This decision to forfeit the remainder of the season is particularly stressful for me, my team having been on the brink two seasons ago. I am struggling to make sense of it, in fact I had talked with a player on the team (a brother of a former WULAXer) about helping to find interest on campus in the summer and fall for more players.

If anything can be done, I beg the players on Lewis and Clark to rethink this decision and play out their final games. This is not the way you want to be remembered, or the way you want to remember your playing days.

[TheBearcatHimself]

Last year when we went their the team had mismatched uniforms, spray painted helmets & gloves, and hardly resembled a "team" at all. It's too bad, but the conference should focus on making it harder for teams to compete instead of allowing everybody to play now... though I understand the history there.

A quick note about this, when we played them this year they actually had new jerseys, matching helmets and looked like a different team. I was hoping this was a sign of resurgence, and hope that something can yet be salvaged.

[Kyle Berggren]

You left off Evergreen College...

Join the PNLA... Being an MCLA program is hard work, not every team is up for it. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at the teams that can do it with the coaching transitions they go through.

[Hi-Line Lax]

already forgot Evergreen... good call Kyle

[woulaxfan]

would you all say that a new (potentially small) team should go through the PNLA before trying to meet the PNCLL/MCLA requirements. I'm passing off most of the reigns of Pacific University's Lacrosse hopes and dreams to an a current underclassman as I will be graduating this year. Our biggest problem for the past couple years is not getting guys to sign up but getting them to show up consistently if at all. It sounds like going through the PNLA might be worth taking a look at

[Hi-Line Lax]

playing a season in the PNLA's wouldn't hurt, especially if you can say things like "we have matching uniforms already and haven't forfeited a game." If you go out and travel too, that helps.

I think Portland State is showing a good example of how to get into the league, scheduling against PNCLL teams, hosting games and traveling. I haven't seen them this year, but knowing the efforts that they've put in this season I would be much more likely to vote them in come next year. Plus they have a big school in a growing hotbed for lacrosse... they could be a contender quickly.

[woulaxfan]

yeah we have been meaning to talk to PSU about how they are getting into the league to see if they have any advice since they are going through it now. Are they playing in the PNLA?

[Kyle Berggren]

The PNLA will not want to be a developmental league for the PNCLL... but it could be a home for less committed teams. It's men's club, not NCAA ruled lacrosse. I play in the PNLA, we don't practice, we play. The experience is much different than that of the PNCLL, coaches not required etc. I wouldn't suggest it as a destination for new teams, but floundering teams, teams that need to take some time off but don't want to fold, it's a great option... If they'll take you. I don't know what the policies are regarding new teams...

PSU has the advantage of being the largest school in all of Oregon... 26k+... If they put in the structure, the team should follow rather quickly.

[WOULAX21]

I agree with Kyle in saying that what we experience in the PNLA is a far cry from what we experience in the PNCLL. The PNCLL & MCLA are very competitive programs that require dedicated players, coaches, & referees. The PNLA has a much more laid back approach to games, & if any at all, practices.

I currently play for the Linfield team in the PNLA, & feel like a few games couldn't hurt Pacific, however (after being a major part of constructing the WOU program) you will find more learning & growing by following a model of PSU where you are learning by scrimmages, traveling & hosting scrimmages. This teaches your team how to practice, organize, & learn how to travel & compete in the way that will occur in the PNCLL.

Good luck to Pacific & LC as no-one likes to see a team leave our great league.[/quote]

[vikingslax]

playing a season in the PNLA's wouldn't hurt, especially if you can say things like "we have matching uniforms already and haven't forfeited a game." If you go out and travel too, that helps.

I think Portland State is showing a good example of how to get into the league, scheduling against PNCLL teams, hosting games and traveling. I haven't seen them this year, but knowing the efforts that they've put in this season I would be much more likely to vote them in come next year. Plus they have a big school in a growing hotbed for lacrosse... they could be a contender quickly.

Thanks for your vote of confidence. We are working hard on building a program that will be competitive, and be around for years to come. It is not easy managing a team, and if your guys aren't committed to travel and put in hours at practice then it might not be worth it to stay in the league. I am assuming they aren't getting the numbers out to practice, and aren't staying competitive with the rest of the teams in the league.I am sad that L&C is folding I really enjoyed the games we played against them this year. They are a great bunch of guys.

[timekeeper]

Hey Kevin,

Check your private e-mails. I sent you a message about helping out with the playoffs 10 days ago but haven't heard back from you.

Brian