by Campbell on Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:48 pm
Not getting into the MDIA or WCLL would not kill the program, in fact it would probably be too daunting for a new team to undertake when you consider league dues, ref fees, travel, etc. Managing those teams from the league's perspective if they have to cancel/forfeit games, reschedule, are late on dues/fees, etc. is all added work for people who already donate a lot of their time.
A new program, even in Arizona, shouldnt have a hard time finding people to play. They can play MDIA teams and post-collegiate clubs and probably join a post-collegiate league. When I played club ball in KC we had a few colleges on our schedule (in the GPLL) that would disappear every year due to joining the MDIA, which is good for them.
I would say the first step to getting a successful program started at a CC, or any college for that matter, is to NOT join the MDIA, but to get the players, committment, coaching, and money you need to have a good program. I wouldn't look at the "exclusiveness" of the MDIA as being anti-growth, nor would I say it is exclusive at all. My take on it is that the MDIA (its members and officers) has set criteria for what level of lacrosse they want the league to be and member teams or applicants need to meet those criteria or play somewhere else. There is no doubt in my mind that the MDIA is a very good thing for club lacrosse programs when you look at the state of college club lacrosse 15-20 years ago.