BYU to play in Lacrosse For Leukemia Tournament

by **Sonny** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:54 pm

Huge news for the Cougars.....

Defending MCLA National Champion Cougars to participate in Division 1 Fall Ball Tournament on October 20, 2007:
http://www.collegelax.us/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1401

**Sponsor**

by **ZagGrad** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:42 pm

Will we be able to put to rest some of the MCLA vs. Div. 1 differences with this? Make it competitive Cougs.

by **EvanFSU** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:50 pm

BYU has played in these types of tournaments before, so has Michigan, Florida State and a few others...The division 1 teams play about 50 kids and still win by fairly large margins.

by **StrykerFSU** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:10 pm

This is a great honor for BYU and the MCLA in general. What a great opportunity for those players to get out on the field with some of the game's best. While I don't think they will be competitive, no disrespect intended, this will be a great opportunity to get the MCLA a little further into the public eye. As we have discussed in other threads, the MCLA is relatively unknown in the Mid-Atlantic region and this is a tremendous marketing opportunity for the league. Perhaps a return appearance of the MCLA promos on a jumbotron...

by **BigheadTodd** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:13 pm

It will be interesting to see the schedule BYU draws from this. As I recall, last time they had a situation like this, they got stuck playing D2 and D3 teams, while the bigger D1 teams played amongst themselves. I hope they get some big games scheduled.

by **Sonny** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:15 pm

BigheadTodd wrote:It will be interesting to see the schedule BYU draws from this. As I recall, last time they had a situation like this, they got stuck playing D2 and D3 teams, while the bigger D1 teams played amongst themselves. I hope they get some big games scheduled.

Washington College (D3) and BYU (MCLA) are the only two non-Division 1 teams in the field.

by **John Paul** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:33 pm

EvanFSU wrote:BYU has played in these types of tournaments before, so has Michigan, Florida State and a few others...The division 1 teams play about 50 kids and still win by fairly large margins.

Not always true. Sometimes the scrimmages are very close against D1 teams and often against D2 or D3 teams the MCLA team wins. Regardless, because of the way everyone approaches fall scrimmages, it won't be a full measure of how teams stack up - even when pitting two D1 teams against each other. However, BYU, because of their talent, coaching, commitment and organization, is as good a representative as there is for the MCLA in an event like this. They will open some eyes...as they have every time they've gone East to play in varsity fall tournaments. The fact that they are invited to this event - the most prestigious fall ball event in the country - is a great indicator of how they are viewed by the organizers and the other coaches participating.

by **ZagGrad** on Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:34 pm

How and why were BYU chosen? Had Oregon or CSU won the championship, would they have gone?

by **bbandlax** on Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:38 am

ZagGrad wrote:How and why were BYU chosen? Had Oregon or CSU won the championship, would they have gone?

The invitation to play came before BYU won the championship, and has nothing to do with BYU winning the MCLA national championship (seeing as how they had not won since 2000). The invitation was not developed by the MCLA.

The actual how's and why's would take a long time to go into. It all goes back to the fact that Coach Lamb has spent the last 11 years being a great ambassador not only for BYU lacrosse but for the USLIA/MDIA/MCLA. This opportunity is just the latest in a long line of great opportunities Coach Lamb has been able to garner for those who have been fortunate enough to play for him. There have also been a few other key individuals who have given a great deal of time and effort (and in some cases $) so that the BYU lax team could play in events like this one.

I think JP's post was right on. Of course I would love to see BYU do well at the tournament. And in spite of EvanFSU's comments BYU has done well when ever they have gone back east (also playing 40-50 guys). That being said I believe BYU (and the MCLA) has "won" just by being at the tournament. Everyone who has a chance to watch BYU on Oct. 20th will walk away impressed with their level of play, organization, and commitment to the game. By association teams like CSU, SB, CU, Michigan, Oregon, etc., who go toe to toe with BYU every year also get to show their quality of play.

I am, of course, a BYU homer, but I would think all of the MCLA would be cheering (some in secret) for BYU to show well at St. Paul's. I will be making the drive up from Charlottesville and camping out for good seats the week prior, anyone can join me for some BBQ and rootbeer