Should the NECLL receive equal treatment on collegelax.us?

[Gregg Pathiakis]

As you've probably already read, the North East Collegiate Lacrosse League was formed this past month. (See press release here)

As part of the league's Executive Board's attempts to get the word out to the lacrosse community about the creation, we forwarded our press release to all the popular lacrosse websites, including this one, and asked that the release be posted in their news sections.

However, the response we received from this website was very disappointing. Since we seemed to have reached a impasse, I decided to solicit the opinions of other forum members.

We're not looking for our own forum in the message board or our own webpage on the site. All we want is for our press releases and news stories to be posted just like they are posted for most other lacrosse organizations (from MCLA to NCAA to youth to professional etc. etc). The students involved in the creation of this league put a lot of work into making sure it got done. I don't want to see them segregated without just cause. Obviously this is a private website, but I think it's only fair for it to be consistant.

[TheNino57]

I don't feel as though I can vote in this poll because, of the choices, the "Yes" and the second "No" both have equal weight. Yes, I think that NECLL news should be published if collegelax.us wants to publish lax news in general. However, I don't recall ever seeing NCLL news and press releases on this website (or its former, mdia.org, or whatever the URL happened to be). This however can be found at e-lacrosse.com. On the other hand, no, I think that since this is a private website, those who maintain it are free to do so however they please.

Gregg, I don't want you to feel like I'm trying to rattle your cage- I'm not at all. But maybe the poll choices should be (or be changed to include): [Yes, I want to see NECLL news and press releases on this website's news page.] and [No, I don't want to want/care to see NECLL news on this website's news page.].

[OAKS]

I wouldn't mind seeing a few press releases and such. I'm sure it would be viable to display them as there are already a few press releases for the varsity teams and the MLL and NLL. Depends how many you're talking about though.

[Daniel Morris]

I think what Gregg is doing is providing a home for teams that previously only had the NCLL as an option, and giving them that choice is a great thing. I don't view them as a competitor with the PCLL since the teams that have joined Gregg's league would not be admitted in the Pioneer because of a varsity team on campus, or because they currently don't meet the PCLL requirements regarding field availability, having a non-player coach, or the ability to pay the substantial financial requirements. I have had experience with a lot of the NECLL teams, and they are mostly solid programs that would be welcome in the PCLL if we could have them. That isn't to say I don't think the opportunities presented by the PCLL & MCLA by extension outweigh anything else out there, NECLL & NCLL both, but having an option for teams that don't fit our model is important.

But the website coverage is a different story. This is a privately owned website that has grown a committed constituency out of support and love for the MCLA. Even though there is the occasional news story about lacrosse outside our association (mostly varsity), it is rare (if ever) we have releases about men's club lax (either college or professional) or any NCLL programs. The audience for those stories just isn't here. And if we begin to let the NECLL post what they want, then Sonny will be pressured to include NCLL teams and conferences as well, and that is an undertaking that would change the site dynamic and dilute the coverage of MCLA team, which is what everyone here really wants to read about anyway.

Good luck with the league Gregg, but you may need to start your own website to discuss NECLL topics.

[Daniel Morris]

Oh yeah, and the poll questions are kind of harsh. "Even when they appear to be unfair" doesn't really seem like a good way to get your point across. I simple Yes, No, and Not at this time would probably have been sufficient.

[SDSULAX]

I agree with Daniel, bad job on your poll questions, let me know what the URL is for your website and if I want to keep track on what is going on in the NECLL I will go there and check it out.

[laxfan25]

I agree with the other posters that your poll questions are not well written, and reflect an obvious liberal bias. Even Jimmy Carter said "life is not fair!".
That said, a couple of points.
1) With the change to the name collegelax, it would seem to reflect a broadening away from the roots as uslia.com. Providing space to non-MCLA college lax would seem to fit in the profile. Granted, there is not a lot of D1/D3 coverage on here, but there are occasional threads about some teams (like Duke?).
2) There are threads on here for MLL and NLL - why can't the same be done for the NECLL? Given the history of this forum, I don't think Sonny, Matt etc should have to support the administration of that section - but Gregg should feel free to post stuff there on his own.
3) Wouldn't adding something for that group increase traffic and eyeballs on the site overall?

[SDSULAX]

It might be a put your money where your mouth is type of thing, I don't see NECLL sponsoring anything on here. Take a good look at the top of the page, "Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association", of which NECLL is neither a member or a sponsor. You said it in your first posting, it is a private website.

[BigheadTodd]

He is a premium member. Which is more than I can say... I am on my way to being shamed into renewing mine. Back to the topic, This is Sonny's website, his rules. What I disagree with more is banning teams from schools with a varsity program. I feel that if they meet all the other criteria, then let them in. I hear we do this to appease the varsity coaches. I think until a top level DIII or any DI program schedules at least 1 game( not a contest that is a game if they win and a scrimmage if they lose) per season against MCLA teams, that we do not owe them anything.

[OAKS]

Check out this link for more on that debate! hehe

http://forums.collegelax.us/viewtopic.php?t=6664

[beckner11]

My main reasoning for chosing to vote not at all is that if I recall correctly, the MCLA teams had to put funding in, in order to help maintain this website. Leagues such as the NCLL and NECLL would have to begin the same type of funding (which would help reduce our costs!!!) in order to gain recognition.

Now while I say that press releases and such shouldn't be included, that would never prevent someone from simply creating a post that would include anything that may be of interest (such as the way readers have posted about the NCAA and NCLL).

[Sonny]

My main reasoning for chosing to vote not at all is that if I recall correctly, the MCLA teams had to put funding in, in order to help maintain this website. Leagues such as the NCLL and NECLL would have to begin the same type of funding (which would help reduce our costs!!!) in order to gain recognition.

Incorrect.

What is CollegeLAX?

www.CollegeLAX.us is a private lacrosse web site that exists to promote and primarily cover the MCLA, affectionally called the largest lacrosse league in the world. The site previously existed as USLIA.com and it has existed in one form or another since the spring of 1998.

Which makes this statement a fact, not an opinion:

No, collegelax.us is a private website and has the right to make decisions such as this, even when they appear to be unfair

[beckner11]

My main reasoning for chosing to vote not at all is that if I recall correctly, the MCLA teams had to put funding in, in order to help maintain this website. Leagues such as the NCLL and NECLL would have to begin the same type of funding (which would help reduce our costs!!!) in order to gain recognition.

Incorrect.

I could have sworn that at the GRLC league meeting they said that part of our national dues was going towards this site now (to which someone asked if we could request the elimination of the Premium Membership fee) but if I'm mistaken than I apologize for my error of the facts.

[Sonny]

I could have sworn that at the GRLC league meeting they said that part of our national dues was going towards this site now (to which someone asked if we could request the elimination of the Premium Membership fee) but if I'm mistaken than I apologize for my error of the facts.

Part of each team's national MCLA dues will be going toward some unique content (articles & press releases) this spring. But that content will be made available to other lacrosse sites on the web plus traditional media outlets (TV, radio, newspaper) in an effort to provide more coverage to MCLA teams around the country.

As a reminder - The Premium Membership is a way for individual users to help support the web site & show their love for CollegeLAX! For only .13 cents a day, you can support CollegeLAX in 2007! Info is available here:
http://forums.collegelax.us/viewtopic.php?t=132

[NKlaxguy]

Well someone confused laxpower because currently there is no PCLL and instead PCLL teams are listed as NECLL....

http://www.laxpower.com/update07/binmen/rating05.php