Lake Forest Lacrosse Informational Meeting January 10, 2018
Agenda Introductions Overview of Lake Forest Lacrosse Spring Program Parent Involvement Questions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 2
Key Individuals and Volunteers Lake Forest Recreation Department Anthony Anaszewicz Athletics Manager Phone: (847) 810-3945 Email: anaszewa@cityoflakeforest.com Ken Pierini Program Supervisor Lax Experience : 5 years coaching K-8th Phone: (847) 810-3943 Email: pierinik@cityoflakeforest.com Mark Milliman Board Member / Coach Lax Experience : Coach LFLA Player: Jake (U14 2022) LFRD Player: Ryan (U12 2025) Varsity HS / Youth LFLA Board Members are all unpaid volunteers and parents of LFLA players Jason Van Camp Board Member LFLA Players: Tommy (U14 2023) Dan (U12 2025) Joe (U8 2028) Lax Experience: Club University of Michigan Cell / Email: (847) 722-4977 / jason@lakeforestlax.org Jake Lee Board Member LFLA Players: Patrick (U14 2022) Emmet (U10 2027) Lax Experience : Youth Lacrosse Wilton, Connecticut Cell / Email: (952) 818-4688 / jakelee1355@gmail.com Marc Thiergart Board Member / LFHS Varsity Head Coach) LFLA Player: Brayden (U12 2025) Lax Experience : Varsity Butler University Brooke Garrigan Board Member LFLA Player: Graham (U12 2024) Lax Experience : Varsity High School John Manley Board Member LFLA Player: Cogan (U12 2025) Lax Experience : Varsity Kenyon College Joe Scully Board Member LFLA Player: Joe (U14 2023) Lax Experience : Varsity Adelphi University Justin Smith Board Member LFLA Player: Bo (U8 2028) Lax Experience : Varsity Denison University Sean Walsh Board Member LFLA Player: Jack (U12 2025) www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 3
Agenda Introductions Overview of Lake Forest Lacrosse Spring Program Parent Involvement Questions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 4
What is the Lake Forest Recreation Department? Purpose & Philosophy of LFRD Youth Athletic Programming: To provide young people with a safe and enjoyable Athletic experience with the emphasis on Sportsmanship & Fair Play. All participants will be instructed in the fundamental skill of the sport including positioning, rules and basic strategy. Every player is given an equal opportunity to participate in games and practices, as well as the chance to play various positions. No participant shall, based on race, sex, national origin, or disability, will be denied equal access to programs, services, or activities. All players will be assured of playing roughly equal playing time for players at their position of any game, with regular practice attendance. Practice = Play. We honor the game, here. www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 5
What is the Lake Forest Lacrosse Association? Technically, the LFLA is an Independent, 501(c)3 not-for-profit, athletic association but at our core, LFLA is a community comprised of Players, Parents, Coaches and Board Members working together to provide both an unparalleled athletic experience (Player Development) and developing the character of our young men (Character Development) Parents Players Board / Coaches Growth from one team in 2012 to 11 teams in 2017, plus Learn-2-Lax www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 6
The Collective Mission: To build the preeminent youth lacrosse program in Illinois We are collectively committed to developing the character and lacrosse skills for players of all levels by teaching the rules of the game, developing self-esteem, and teaching respect for fellow players, officials, and traditions of the game We strive to create an environment that is safe, organized and fun, which utilizes outstanding local facilities in close proximity for both practices and games Our Goals Are: Character Development Prepare our players as young men and athletes for the future high school, college and beyond Build character in our young men and favorably represent our Community Player Development Provide the best possible coaching, skills training and player development available More closely matching player skill level with appropriate teammates and competition Improve the overall level of lacrosse in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff The Result: Winning championships at all levels, while demonstrating class and good sportsmanship www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 7
Tremendous Success Individually, And We are Just Getting Started Together.. Spring Season Tournament Championships 2017 U12 2023A: U10 2025: U10 LFRD: U10 2025: U10 2025: 2016 U15: U9 LFRD: U9: U9: 2015 U13 Major: U11 Minor: U11 Minor: U9: 2014 U13: U9: U9: 2013 U15: Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U12A Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U10A Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U10B Champions May Classic U10 Champions Border Wars U10 Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U15B Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U9B Champions May Classic U9 Champions Rip the Duck U9 Champions Western Springs Tower Tournament Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association U11B Champions Western Springs Tower Tournament Champions Western Springs Tower Tournament Champions Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association Champions Western Springs Tower Tournament Champions Prairie States Tournament Champions Illinois United May Classic Champions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 8
Agenda Introductions Overview of Lake Forest Lacrosse Spring Program Parent Involvement Questions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 9
Spring Season Practices & Tryouts Blue/Gold Team Tryouts (2/22 and 3/1) At the Highland Park Bubble for all players trying out for Blue/Gold Teams (U10-U14) U10 (3 rd /2027 & 4 th /2026) U12 (5 th /2025 & 6 th /2024) U14 (7 th /2023 & 8 th /2022) Up to 40 field players and 4 goalies per U-Level Roughly equal numbers between the two grades Players will be evaluated based on technical skills, athleticism, willingness to listen and learn, attitude and effort Players will be notified before March 4 Blue/Gold Team dues must be paid before March 8 Blue/Gold Team assignments will be finalized by April 9 -- Players have a month to demonstrate their ability Blue/Gold Team and White Team Indoor Practices Blue/Gold -- Twice per week at the Highland Park Bubble, the weeks of March 4 th -19 th White -- Preseason indoor dates: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 at the Lake Forest High School Field House LF Lax is off the week of Spring Break (March 26-30) Outdoor Practices (4/3 through 6/8) * TENTATIVE Days are Subject to Change Learn-2-Lax (Grades K & 1) Townline Park Two Days per Week (Tuesday & Thursday)* 5:00pm 6:00pm* House (U8) Townline Park Two Days per Week (Tuesday & Thursday)* 6:00pm 7:00pm* House Plus (U8) Townline Park One Day per Week (Friday)* 6:00pm 7:00pm* White (U10-U14) Townline Park Two Days per Week (TBD) 6:00pm 7:30pm* Blue/Gold (U10-U14) Townline Park or LFHS East Campus Three Days per Week (TBD) 6:00pm 7:30pm* www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 10
Spring Season Games & Tournaments: U8 House Games will be Saturday mornings at 9:00am and 10:00am at Townline Park U8 House games will be local, with the goal of each team playing a double header each week One or two House Plus teams of 10-12 players will be formed in mid-april House Plus teams are for advanced U8 players looking for additional games (8 IBLA league games, IBLA Playoffs, 1-2 local tournaments) House Plus players will continue to play with their House team Blue, Gold, White and House Plus teams will play in the IBLA League Starting the weekend of April 14 th, these teams will play 8 IBLA League Games around the Chicagoland area Games on Saturdays and/or Sundays (some multiple game days) with games on weekday evenings only in the event of make-up dates Illinois Boys Lacrosse League (IBLA) North Division North Division teams include (subject to change): New Trier Bombers Evanston Kenilworth Loyola Lake Villa Grayslake Palatine St. Viator Barrington Notable Teams in other IBLA Divisions: Fox Valley Bartlett Wheaton Glen Ellyn Western Springs Blue, Gold, White and House Plus Teams will all compete in the IBLA Championships Blue, Gold and House Plus Teams will attend additional invitational tournaments Carmel Invitational Carmel, IN * April 28-29 (U12 Blue/Gold, U14 Blue/Gold) Naperville Invitational Naperville, IL May 8 (House Plus, Blue, Gold) Formerly the LFLA/FVLC Play Day Border Wars Montgomery, IL May 12-13 (House Plus, Blue, Gold) Top Shelf Naperville, IL June 2 (U10 Blue/Gold) MPLL Championships Carmel, IN * June 2-3 (U12 Blue/Gold, U14 Blue/Gold) IBLA Championships Chicagoland June 9/10 (House Plus, Blue, Gold, White) * Requires overnight stay The initial game schedules will be available shortly after Spring Break (scheduling typically takes place during Spring Break) Game schedules will change during the season please subscribe to the Team Calendars on TeamSnap www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 11
Spring Season Expectations: Lacrosse is a Spring Sport and has priority during the Spring Season While we understand that our athletes play other sports, Spring is lacrosse season and lax needs to be the priority If a player is going to miss a game or practice, it is the responsibility of the parent to notify BOTH the coach and the team parent as early as possible For House Plus, Blue, Gold and White teams, IBLA is going to be very strict against allowing playing to flex between teams in 2018, it will be much more difficult to fill rosters with players from other teams Practice Expectations Players are to be at the practice field and dressed at least 15 minutes ahead of the time fields open Practices will be higher paced than in the past and players will be expected to listen carefully and give maximum effort All extra equipment (including shoes and jackets) are to be in players bags and zipped closed Bags are to be organized neatly in rows Players should be stretched and warmed up prior to start times; drills will commence immediately upon the opening of the fields Coaching and Field time are precious resources respect your coaches and teammates by being ready Game Day Expectations Players need to be at the field and dressed 30 minutes ahead of the start time Team warmups will be pre-set and all teams will warm up the same way to build consistency Coaches will not babysit or chaperone Parents must parent their kids at games and tournaments Travel For overnight tournaments, Parents are required to travel with kids Exceptions for a player to travel with a different family will require notification of the Coach and a Board Member Itinerary events will be mandatory (dinners, white board sessions, etc.) www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 12
Spring 2018 Summary Budget: To fulfill our goal of Growing the Game, we strive to keep down costs and get more boys playing lax House and White team fees are a modest inflation adjustment over last year L2L and Blue and Gold teams are budgeted to break even Of the $127k of player fees we budget, over 85% go towards coaching, fields, tournaments, player gear and game fees Program Fees (LF/LB Resident Rates): Learn-2-Lax (Grades K & 1): $250 U8 House (Grades 1 & 2): $318 U10 White (Grades 3 & 4): $318 U12 White (Grades 5 & 6): $318 U14 White (Grades 7 & 8): $318 U8 House Plus (Grades 1 & 2): +$450* * Includes Game Jersey and Shorts U10 Blue/Gold (Grades 3 & 4): $775 U12 Blue/Gold (Grades 5 & 6): $1,250 U14 Blue/Gold (Grades 7 & 8): $1,250 www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 13
Uniforms Required Items for Blue and White Teams Required Items Not Included in Blue and Gold Team Fees: Game Uniform (jersey & shorts) Practice Uniform Team Helmet If you have these items from last year and the items still fit, you DO NOT need to purchase new items If you are new to Blue and Gold teams and/or you need a new size, please visit the LFLA team store on the Lax Shop website: http://www.thelaxshop.com/productcategory/team-gear The password is "lfla" (all lower case) Uniforms must be purchased by March 8 www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 14
Feedback and Communications We greatly encourage your feedback on every aspect of Lake Forest Lacrosse LF Lax is a new partnership, and we know we will be learning on the fly Outside of the foundational principles of player safety, honesty and transparency, nothing is off the table for adjustment and improvement If you have any feedback, questions or comments; please email L2L, House Plus, Blue or Gold Teams: Jason (jason@lakeforestlax.org) or Jake (jakelee1355@gmail.com) House or White Teams: Anthony (Anaszewa@cityoflakeforest.com) or Ken (pierinik@cityoflakeforest.com) To keep parents informed and to foster interaction within the Community, we will use the TeamSnap across all teams TeamSnap will be used for Team Communications (Texts / Alerts / Team Emails) and Schedules / Calendars We are following through on the numerous suggestions to use TeamSnap exclusively All Teams L2L, House, House Plus, Blue, Gold and White will have TeamSnap pages Club Emails -- Weekly and ad hoc updates and reminders will be sent through TeamSnap www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 15
Putting It Into Perspective This is not only about developing great lacrosse players its about developing great men www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 16
Agenda Introductions Overview of Lake Forest Lacrosse Spring Program Parent Involvement Questions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 17
Parent Volunteers: Coaches We want to supplement our paid coaching staff with parents who either played lacrosse or are passionate about coaching This most likely will be in an assistant coach role, but parents can also serve as head coaches depending on experience etc. We will conduct training for interested parents. Team Parents Need two sets of Team Parents per team Responsibilities will include: Keeping things organized Coordinating information flow between coaches and parents Organizing water/gatorade for the kids Identifying a scorekeeper for each home game Relaying feedback from parents to the Board Identifying a parent who is willing to take pictures or video during games (optional) Club Efforts LFLA is run by a handful of parents who volunteer their time If we want to accomplish more as a community, we need more parents to get involved Some projects that we need volunteers for are: Assisting with uniform distribution Organizing the Year End Party Managing the Club social media presence Leading fundraising Being willing to help improve anything that may be overlooked If you are interested reach out to Jason, Jake or Ken www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 18
Fundraisers / Sponsorship: Our motivation is to win State Titles at Lake Forest High School and Grow the Game, not profit All of the LF Lax organizers are either LFRD employees or volunteers We fund our programs through: Player Fees Donations Donations are Greatly Appreciated Tax deductible Please consider a donation to strengthen our program Sponsorship Opportunities We will gladly accept sponsorships from Companies as well as individuals Ideal Companies: Owned/managed by or employers of parents of LFLA participants Locally domiciled businesses Importantly, the companies need to be appropriate to be associated with a youth sports program www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 19
Agenda Introductions Overview of Lake Forest Lacrosse Spring Program Parent Involvement Questions www.lakeforestlax.org www.lfparksandrec.com Slide 20