IMLCA vs. USL Convetions?

[LaxTchr]

Ideally I know that all would like to attend both conventions, however, if the choice has to be made, which one and why?

[laxfan25]

As an official, USL has more content for us, but it could certainly be improved upon, based on my attending my first one last year.
I don't think there would be much for me at the Coaches confab.

[John Paul]

There will be no reason for officials to attend the IMLCA clinic. It's geared toward college and high school coaches (mostly college).

I'll have more information on the IA relationship with the new IMLCA soon.

[DanGenck]

Does anyone have more specific information on the IMLCA conference? Do they have a website, etc?

[Sonny]

Here is a link to the IMLCA initial press release:
http://forums.uslia.com/viewtopic.php?t=1677

[John Paul]

Details and registration information on the new IMLCA convention can be found here: http://www.ecac.org/feature/feature.asp?id=1811

[Andy Sharp]

The IMLCA Clinic Schedule has an impressive roster of presenters, just to name a few:

Pietramala - Hopkins
Meade - Navy
Pressler - Duke
Tierney - Princeton
Janzek - Gettysburg
Corrigan - Notre Dame
Munro - Denver
Seaman - Towson

Any news on MDIA involvement in this convention?

[John Paul]

No news yet.

I'm sure some of those guys will be outstanding, but keep in mind that big names do not always equal great presenters.

[Purple Welt]

Thank you Mr. Paul. I agree. Same goes for coaching.

[Laxman50]

Ya that is true but they are all the best at what they do. I am sure that a few of them can present. The US Lacrosse convention will be dead if none of the top coaches are going to talk. I have also been told that all the top venders are going with the coaches convention. So I wonder how many will also be at the USL? All are welcome to attend the convention in December but I don't think club coaches will be able to join IMLCA. There might be a few exceptions like Mr. Paul who is a full time coach but this is a professional association.

[laxfan25]

If the IMLCA convention is like many others I attend, organizers are typically interested in having as many attendees as possible to help cover their costs. I don't see why MDIA coaches would not be welcome, but I could be wrong.
I also think you'll see vendors at both conventions. US Lacrosse draws across the board from all aspects of the game; players, coaches, officials at all levels - too big a market to ignore.

[Danny Hogan]

i think the USL convention is sponsored by Harrow this year and i'm not sure if any retailers are attending.

[John Paul]

1. Which coaches at our level (MDIA) are well paid? You may be surprised to learn that some of our full-time coaches are not so well paid, and some (including yours truly) are volunteers. In addition, there are only three or four IA coaches who are truly full time. CSU and Sonoma State are two examples of top programs at our level that have coaches with full time jobs outside of coaching. While there aren't any volunteer varsity head coaches that I know of, many of them make do with barely adequate salaries.

I see no problem with professional coaches running club programs. It's a benefit to the players at the school and the game as whole. If the club sports department can evolve to accept them (as happened here), it can be a real benefit to the school administration as well. For the time being, it's the only way the men's game is going to show real growth at the college level. You're right that a lot of the success of our top programs can be attributed to long-term, highly involved, "professional" coaches. Hopefully more IA programs will try to emulate the success that the top programs have and find a way to get quality coaches to take over administration of the team and stay for a long time.

2. Harrow sponsored the USL convention last year as well, and UnderArmor before that. I expect that most vendors (retailers and manufacturers) will attend both conventions this year and then make an assessment based on attendance and business generation as to which one will be better for them in the future (or if they need to continue going to both).

3. MDIA coaches are absolutely welcome at the IMLCA convention. In fact, all of our coaches have been invited directly by their Board of Directors, which is why I posted the link for registration. The level of our involvement as an organization is what is still in question.

[BigheadTodd]

So who is goingto the Baltimore one? I am seriously considering it, I found a good deal on orbitz. My HS team is paying my way to the one in Philly, but I may just go to both to see what I can see.

[Has No Left]

There should be a vote option to attend both conventions - many of us are in that category and will be at both of them.