by VikingsLax7 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:33 am
As a player, I feel like if my team went 12-0 one year, then 6-6 the next, then 0-12 the next, I would never use the excuse, 'Oh, but the couple years before..". It's not how well you did in the past, what matters is how well you are doing right now. I feel that a team could've done great in the past but, if they begin to falloff, what is wrong with rebuilding at a possibly more competitive level at division B, if only for a season or two, especially with a coach who is "learning the ropes". It just may be a better alternative to boost the morale of the players, the coaches, the school, and its fans and supporters as well. But I definitely don't feel its a necessary move to make a team better, it is just one way of helping a team become better. The point of this topic is to help those teams having off years, and off years always have and will continue to happen for everyone. This thread is just one idea of how to deal with it. Also, if people want to call the B division a "development league" then isn't this the whole point we are discussing. I do not agree with that view of division B, but if that is how people feel, then why not come to divison B and try to develop.
Its sad to see someone say they would never recommend a B school, even when they have a winning record and not only play an A team(s), but beats them. But you would recommend a losing A school? Maybe a B win over an A doesn't mean that A team "really sucks this year", maybe it means you should give credit to the talent that DOES exist in B. As a player I would rather play for a winning program, rather than a consistent losing team, just because they are A and not B. There are a lot of first time players in the B division and funny that these teams manage to compete with some A teams, regardless of their "lack of interest". Regardless of your divison, I don't think a donut in the win column will help your cause trying to gain interest. You say that a B schedule wont attract players but our B divison team gets more interest than you may think. We have tremendous student support and local support throught the neighboring commuities, and our administration is talking about how they love how we have turned our program around, all thanks to INTEREST and SUPPORT.
Along with the idea that B schools lack interest, it was said that a recruit would "back out" if an A school's schedule had teams like Framingham St, Salem St, New Haven, etc. How do you think a recruit would feel when he not only sees those teams on your schedule, but also sees them as losses on your schedule? It was posted that a recruit's #1 reason for wanting to attend BSC in 2003 was because they played BC, BU, UNH, NE, URI, and OOC against Tenn and VTech. It was said that a player would be interested in a school not just because of who they play, but beating those teams as well. But, in that year BSC lost to Tenn, VTech, UNH, BU, BC, split games with NE, and managed a win against URI. Now if that recruit looks back and sees those results, is he still interested??
I also don't like the possible excuse of "yeah you are a B team, look at us though, we played (insert big school here), yeah we lost, but still, we played them." Thats pointless. Just because you boast a schedule against "big schools" doesn't mean jack, you have to win too, so I would concentrate on beating those "small" ones first. And division B might be "punishment" in some of your eyes, but it is also an alternative to the A competition, and maybe the solution that some teams need to get back on their feet, and there is NOTHING wrong with that. I don't see why a move to B is so frowned upon. If it helps your team, then do it.
And sure A teams have 'travel opportunities' but Salem did go to Florida for spring break and New Haven is going to NY if I remember correctly for 2 games. There are opportunities available at both levels.
Obviously I agree with the fact that it is the coach's place to decide what his team's plans are. I don't feel like the reason for this discussion was to make demands that teams bounce around. It was simply presenting a possible alternative. I know people are feeling attacked by this thread and I do feel badly for them because I would also. But, as a B division player, I feel attacked by the comments presented by some people about my division. I don't need big schools and the A tag to feel good about my team and I. I love the B division and I feel like there is good competition here and a great atmosphere. I love having the ability to play organized lacrosse and I cherish being a member of this league, regardless of division. But reading some of these posts, I feel completely disrespected and insulted by the comments made about the B division. In this thread the B division has been called shameful, unattractive to potential players, a punishment, a last choice, and that if a player has any sort of skill whatsoever, that divison B will "never be anything worth going to." It's nice to know how people really feel about this B division.
One a final note though, another advantage of moving teams around, would be the ability for teams to schedule more OOC games. It WOULD be more benificial than beating up on teams in the lower part of the division and it WOULD build the teams reputation better, BUT, that is not the point of this suggestion. The point of this suggestion is to benefit the teams that are not doing so well, not to benefit the teams that are already doing well. I feel like that is another concept in itself and not really the reason for the possibility of movement in the PCLL being brought up. For example, Salem State played Eckerd, USF, and UTampa over spring break. This helped Salem get their name out there and I feel was more beneficial than playing a few A vs B games. But that whole idea is another topic for discussion.
