Nov. 28, 2007

I'm not a message board guy. I like the concept. It seems to be a perfect venue for the marketplace of ideas, but unfortunately it demonstrates how impossible that goal is. Without fail, the exchange of beliefs quickly devolves from a cogent discussion into an ad hominem attack or sophomoric rebuttal.

Prior to a couple of months ago, I had only been a member of one message board - the History Channel's online forum. I confess to enjoying an intellectual debate about the impact of historical/current events and the individuals who shape them, but even at this site everything cut along partisan lines and the ensuing stridency stifled any kind of coherent thought.

I recently dropped my self-imposed moratorium on forums in an effort to help LMO's goal of highlighting the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association. In pursuing this aspiration I decided to become a `Premium Member' of the league's forum at Collegelax.us.

The site, run by Sonny Pieper out of Atlanta, is a clearinghouse for everything about the club scene and a helpful resource for an MCLA neophyte like me. In addition to gaining much-needed info, my subscription dues go toward the broadcasting of Association championships and its numerous podcasts. A win-win situation from my perspective.

My first submission to the forum section was an attempt to give the forum regulars - a blend of MCLA coaches, alums and diehard fans - a chance to give those of us suffering from varsity tunnel-vision a different perspective.

The question: What are the biggest misperceptions about the MCLA?

The responses (edited for format):

-- MCLA Lax is inferior to the whole of NCAA. There are at least two MCLA programs that have a bigger budget, better compensated coaching staff, and better facilities available to them than at least one D1 top 25 program.

-- We don't play for anything - they do not understand we have a national championship, conference tournaments, have All-Americans. The works!

-- We are a part of US Lacrosse. [NOTE: The MCLA used to be the Men's Division Intercollegiate Associates, which fell under the USL umbrella, but formed its own independent organization last year.]

-- It can't be that serious, it's club.

-- We cannot compete with NCAA - skill, coaching, budgets, and organization.

-- We are "bush" league - the old mentality of club ball

-- We are on the same level as other "clubs" - ultimate Frisbee, soccer, etc. Nothing against those sports, but as a Sport Club Director, I can assure you MCLA is a whole different level.

-- Players choose MCLA (NCLL, etc.) because they can't survive (skills, mental toughness) on a varsity team.

-- Players choose MCLA teams because they couldn't make it (be recruited) to a varsity team (the player chose academics first).

-- We've never changed - we're still your dad's club ball leagues.

-- Our teams (and the level of organization we are achieving) are a potential threat to the growth of varsity lacrosse and inclusion at new schools. Essentially, institutions will see the MCLA as a way to avoid adding new teams.

-- The reasons a supposed legit high school player would choose to pay to play. Basically, the idea that a high level of lacrosse combined with a quality education is achievable. Including the issue of not being absorbed by school commitment and lacrosse.

-- MCLA teams don't recruit.

-- US lacrosse supports the MCLA way more than varsity.

-- Supposed insight related to commitment level and the level of dedication from coaches, players, schools, and parents - and the achievable prospect of ever gaining institutional stability. The players and coaches aren't that committed because it's only club. The players will never be that committed or put in the time to be truly successful.

-- Most of the MCLA schools are going varsity in the next 5 years.

-- We aren't true student athletes.

-- There are kegs on the sidelines.

-- There are no talented players in the league.

As you can read, there is a little anger bubbling up behind these responses. Some of it is, no doubt, directed toward me as an agent of USL because of what is perceived to be an abandonment of their teams by this site. It's a valid complaint but, as I wrote in a previous column, we weren't able to cover the Association as well as we should have last year due to sundry circumstances (none of it due to a conscious "backlash" to the formation of the MCLA).

Regardless, talking is one thing and actions are another, and I can personally vouch for the level of play. I've officiated MCLA games. I had the opportunity to ref numerous club programs in October, including several contests featuring reigning Division II champion Montana.

Despite their geographical location and league affiliation, the MCLA coaches and players I've witnessed operate at high level and take things very seriously, even during fall ball. I'm a believer and those who labor under antiquated stereotypes would do well to take a second look.

Even if I can't sell you on club lacrosse, you should still swing by the MCLA website. They have a "Water Cooler" section where all the opinionated folks debate the events of the day. It divides along party lines and gets heated at times, but is much more collegial than most sites.

Alas, the MCLA is doing things right, on and off the field, whether you want to believe it or not.

Contact Jac Coyne at jcoyne@uslacrosse.org.