CCLA Week #1 (2/2/05 - 2/8/05)

[laxfan25]

Well-said Mr. Holtz! You reiterated my point exactly. All you have to do is grab a copy of the Notre Dame roster to see that they are all players from top-notch schools, and even there, the BEST players from those schools are heading to the 'Cuses and Marylands of the lax world. It is still very much a privileged elite that rules the lax universe...

[CATLAX MAN]

Yes, the lions suck as a pro team, but every player on their team was still the best player on their college team.

This may be true for most teams in the NFL and, while I agree with this sentiment, I'd be willing to bet that USC probably would've given the 49ers a run for their money in 2004. As a long time 49er season ticket holder, it is difficult to admit this, however after watching these guys they put on the field last year, I can't believe that these guys were the best players on their college teams. They gave a new meaning to the word "suck" this year.

[LaxC21]

You can thank the owner of the forty-niners for the crappy season...or I guess you can just blame Eddie Jr. for it.

[CATLAX MAN]

You can thank the owner of the forty-niners for the crappy season...or I guess you can just blame Eddie Jr. for it.

If Eddie D was still the owner, we wouldn't be having this discussion. However, this a topic for the Water Cooler.

[Dwayne Hicks]

Having played and coached at the D1 level, I agree that there is a big gap. You will not play against a one-handed attackmen at the D-1 level.

Our scrimmage against ND was exactly that, a scrimmage. I was hoping to give my guys a chance to see what it was like to play at that speed against some of the best players in the country. Many of OU's players get that chance during summer league when the guys from 'Cuse, Hopkins, Maryland, Duke and many others come back home. And this past summer, the top scorer in the Elite League was not from a D-1 school, but from OU (Billy Binge). So, there are players in the MDIA that can play with D-1 level players.

But the greatest difference between a D-1 and a MDIA team is depth. A MDIA team might have three or four guys who can play at the highest level, but after that, the pool starts to get slim. I think people in the MDIA should stop making comparisons and be happy with what the MDIA is accomplishing. The skill level is getting better. The competition is getting better. The games are getting better. And best of all, it's only going to get better. Talented high school players and transfer students now have a variety of options to choose from if they want to continue playing. And in the end, isn't that what it's all about? Getting a chance to play lacrosse.

As far as suiting up Justin Shay (Bacharach helmet, Superlight II and all), I'm not sure that he'd make a difference. Sure, he scored as a defenseman (over Petramalia) in the North/South game and was voted MVP, but that was when he had some hair and some balls. His ferocious and mighty wrap check, while it was a thing of beauty, is now sitting in his garage next to his Farrah Fawcett poster. That is if his wife hasn't throw it away yet - the check this is:) Yeah, like I'm one to talk.

See you soon Laxfan. Give my best to Shay Train the next time you speak with him.
_________________________

Dwayne Hicks
Head Coach, Oakland University

[CATLAX MAN]

The skill level is getting better. The competition is getting better. The games are getting better. And best of all, it's only going to get better. Talented high school players and transfer students now have a variety of options to choose from if they want to continue playing. And in the end, isn't that what it's all about? Getting a chance to play lacrosse.

Amen. Well said, coach.

[CornerPicker22]

How did wooster do against mich?

[John Paul]

Wooster cancelled the day before the scrimmages.

Great comments by Coach Hicks.

[the lax]

Probably would have been a much better score than 12-4. Maybe next year.

[John Paul]

Maybe. We scrimmaged Wooster and Kenyon last year. They were more competitive. Kenyon has approached us about scheduling regular season games, beginning next year. We seem to end up recruiting a lot of the same kids, so that makes sense.

[Danny Hogan]

Gee Danny, sorry I didn't run spell-check on his name. That obviously reflects a lack of knowledge of the game. Just so you are aware, I have very good first-hand knowledge about both teams, and stand by my assertions.
By the way, what would someone from the lacrosse hotbed of Disney World know about the game. Must be an imposter.

you posts look like they were written by a 7 year old. they reflect a general lack of knowledge.

i'm never one to say that the mdia and d1 are equal. i just dont' think the term 'run off the field' would have applied to the scrimmage or that oakland would need you to tell them they are not as good as notre dame.

i agree with coach hicks assestment that the difference would be more obvious later in the game in terms of depth. Most starting players on the top 10-12 mdia teams were recruited to play some level of d1 lacrosse.

[Laxman50]

Michigan beating Wittenberg 12 - 4 is no surprise. Michigan is one of the best club teams in the country. Wittenberg is a mid level D3 team that I would guess would be a top 25 Club team but not a chance to win the club title. NCAA teams are allowed 16 days of practice in the fall and one day to play games. They are also not allowed to start practice till about 2 weeks ago. Good luck playing a top team such as Michigan when you are playing as a team for 2 weeks. My guess the teams at the top like coach Paul's Michigan team are not the ones that are trying to make themselves look good by saying they can beat D3 varsity teams. Because they know they can. I would bet its all the lower teams that are grabbing on to Michigan and CSU's coat tails every time they win a game vs. a D3 team.
The fact is - is that yes Michigan and CSU and some of the other club teams would do well at the D3 level. But lets not get all worked up and stop playing the who beat who game.
The fact is I am not quite sure why every club team would not want to be varsity. I played in the USLIA and I am a D3 NCAA coach and I can tell you that life at the varsity level is nice. Could allot of club team's beat my team sure. Will that bug me when my team is on a free spring break trip to FLA in 2 weeks no it wont. It is not NCAA vs. club last time I looked we all play lacrosse.
Just play ball.

[Sonny]

Wolverines successful vs. D-III Wittenberg in Scrimmage:
http://www.uslia.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=15

[the lax]

Good article. Michigan and Coach Paul are great about getting press releases out to the public. So cheers to you and thanks.

Very thoughtful and mature post by Laxman. Obviously a college grad with some years of wisdom behind him. Thanks for sharing.