UWM Looking to Join UMLL/MCLA

[Jack Peterson]

Hello UMLL,

I'm the President of the team at UW-Milwaukee. With the recent growth and maturation of our team and our increasing level of skill, we feel that it is time to make the move to a league that provides us with the competition and organization that we desire.

We're interested in information on how we would go about joining the MCLA, especially from teams who have recently joined the league. Any advice or information you could offer us would be appreciated.

Thank You Very Much,

Jack Peterson

[LaxTV_Admin]

What Jack my offer to help wasn't enough haha, just kidding with you.

You know my contact info. Feel free to call me anytime.

[Jack Peterson]

Panchito,

We decided to re-think our disposition. We're very ready to make the jump. I actually have terrorized two (2) cell phones since Fall 07. Would you please PM me your cell phone number so we can be in contact?

Thanks,

Jack Peterson

[Chris Larson]

Jack,

I'm pleased to hear of your interest. Panch is a great resource. You can contact me as well (umll_lax_cjl[at]hotmail.com is best) and if you need clarification about the requirements and expectation of teams in the UMLL.

Jon Harris at Augsburg is the coach of our newest team. I'll let him post his preferred contact info.

CL

[Hunt]

Jack, it would be awesome to have you guys in the league. We've had a great time playing you the past few years and you would be a strong addition to the UMLL (in my opinion). Not to mention the fact that it would make for a possible bigger weekend for UMLL teams in Milwaukee, being able to play at two different locations (UWM and Marquette). And it would help to draw teams to Milwaukee for out of conference games, since visiting teams would have the chance to play two Division I programs in one weekend. I can definitely see the potential for a great partnership on many fronts.

It also makes me happy to see another good Wisconsin program willing to make the jump to the MCLA/UMLL. I know you guys have a few players from Minnesota so I'm sure that helps too! But this is also great for lacrosse in Wisconsin in general, since it shows high school kids in Wisconsin are getting better and are ready to step up and play in such a great and well run national league. Good luck to you guys during this process, I'm just sad I won't be around to play you next year if you're accepted into the league!

[Pinball]

This was a list that i had put together for a few teams, that inquired about joining the league while i was the Div 2 rep. Figure I will post it here.

1. get a list of guys, figure out everyones playing levels. take everyone though, numbers are key and numbers bring in $$$$
2. Find athletes, ask your friend on the hockey team/football to ask around and see if anyone wants to play
3. Schedule scrimmages in the fall vs your local MCLA schools or get into a tournament like the "hot dish classic"
4. Frequent www.collegelax.us and know the message board well, and be an active member on the forums
5. Look for every different channels for funds. We (sju) are funded highly by our student government, but we also found other avenues for funds, just ask around. A great place to start besides your main source of funding is admissions. Our coach is actually paid by the admissions office and is considered a "part time" admissions rep.
6. look for outside sources of funding, sell books, rake leaves, whatever you can get paid for.
7. You cannot enter the UMLL this coming year as our bylaws state that you must make a presentation in spring for admission in the fall, but schedule as many umll teams as you can and do not be afraid to travel to UMD on a friday in late march, show you have guys that will make the commitment of travel.
8. get money now!! and start ordering helmets, jerseys nets and showing everyone at the school you mean business. Hit them up for "capital funding items"
9. always treat the athletic department as if they were gods, they normally control the fields and have a lot of background influence
10. always have a strong leadership team in place, and try not to have seniors be in control as they have so much on their plate come spring. At SJU we have it set-up that the vp is chosen in the spring by the rest of the board and is a freshman, president is a junior. and our treasurer is the accounting kid on the team who is responsible. The former president who is a senior is looked at as an adviser, or general manager.
11. Ask around and find a person who knows lacrosse as a faculty adviser
12. be social with the team, just dont be an idiot (dont haze, dont were your lax jacket to the house party, dont have lacrosse themed parties etc etc etc)
13. make it fun, keep it relaxed and fun. but let people know your there to win games
14. if you have questions, ask them to Rob Graff, Chris Larson or myself. all of us love lax and the UMLL and we want to see it grow.
15. u need matching gloves (same main color ie- you can have people with black gloves made by brine, warrior, stx etc)
16. matching helmets are a must, same color- no painting it either, it just looks bad
17. The UMLL Div 2 requires 2 out of conference games, so that might include some travel to places far away. For example SJU went to Irvine, California last year, St. Thomas went to Northern Michigan. They are fun though, probably one of the best part to my college career.
18. Actively recruit next year, tell you high school coach, send emails letting people know that lacrosse is alive and well at your school
19. Start a website that is hosted by the school, i started the SJU website in December of 04' and now we have had 31,000 hits on our site.
20. get an alumni list from the alum relations people, believe it or not they actually keep track of who played what. Then hit them up for money!!!
21. Show the league you have access to indoor facilities (if possible) i know this can be a big selling point.
22. You will need financial records, show the league you have the cash for dues
23. The league maybe skeptical and ask questions they may seem like you are not wanted, what they are trying to do is make sure you are ready.
24. There are eligibility rules in the MCLA, wouldn't be a bad idea getting a form stamped by your registrar stating that your whole team has 12+ credits, a student or if they are under 12 a graduating senior. Nice little cherry on top at the presentation int he spring


PM me with any questions or if need any help.

[oldmanlax]

Jack,

That is fantastic that want to join the league. I helped start NDSU and will add on a few more points to Pinball's post.

1. Focus on the minimum things. It is great and dandy if everyone has matching jackets but that has nothing to do with fielding a team in uniform. Matching jerseys, helmets and like colored gloves should be priority one.

2. It was critical to the UMLL that we could afford dues, jerseys, and travel. You have a similar commute to the Twin Cities as NDSU. Make sure to figure in the fact you will spend several weekends there.

3. Make plans to be at the league meeting in the spring. Start on everything now. Get your constitution, team bylaws and all that good stuff done now so you can focus on preping your team for competition a year from now. Chris Larson and Rob Graff were amazing at answering questions and laying out expectations. I am sure you will find any team rep in the league is happy to lend a helpful ear.

4. We had the luxury of mirroring Moorhead's program when starting. That and the fact two of us played there. Find a team nearby that you can scrimmage with, bounce ideas off of, etc. Basically, find a mentor

My experience was one of stress and large quantities of time consumed. Find others who want to get involved and delegate. Don't be afraid to pass something off to someone else.

Good luck

Mike

[AuggieLaxCoach]

Feel free to PM me or email me at augsburglacrosse@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. I am going through the rookie year program trials and tribulations as we speak and will help you with whatever I can.

Good Luck