Part One (Sept. 2008) Free Fall? | Peer Review: Shannon Smith
Part Two (Oct. 2008): Passport to Campus | Peer Review: Gordie Wells
Part Three (Nov. 2008): Too Vested in Verbals? | Peer Review: Lily Ricci
Part Four (Dec. 2008): Piece of the Pie | Peer Review: Ilyssa Meyer
Part Five (Feb. 2009): Best Foot Forward
Part Six (March 2009): Camp Stories | Peer Review: What Camp Best Fits Me?
Part Seven (April 2009): Be True to Your School?
Part Eight (May 2009): Transfer of Power | Peer Review: Q&A with an Early Commit
Part Nine (October 2009): Are You the Diamond in the Rough? | Think D-III
Part Ten (November 2009): Me Time | Peer Review: Kayleigh Hynes
Part Eleven (December 2009): New Beginnings
Part Twelve (January 2010): Lessons from Signing Day | Peer Review: Make Your Own Waves

Recruiting is a topic on which families, prospects, coaches and others expend considerable resources, time and emotion. Lacrosse Magazine will delve into many of the sub-topics involved in a series of articles, augmented by personal stories from young men and women that have recently completed or are in the midst of the recruiting process.

Part Twelve of the series examines November's early signing period and the lessons that can be learned from the formalities, twists and turns that transpired. This article appears in the January issue of LM. Don't get the mag? Join US Lacrosse and its 300,000-plus members today to start your monthly subscription.

Peer Review: Make Your Own Waves

In the D-I men’s world, the national championship trophy seemingly resides with the same schools year after year — Syracuse, Virginia, Johns Hopkins and Princeton have owned the title for much of the last two decades.

One reason? Recruiting.

Many blue-chippers want to go to schools that have what it takes to regularly reach the final four and play before 50,000 fans in an NFL stadium.

Those in the lacrosse community holding out for some growth may find some in the Thompsons.

While a lack of firm scholarship offers from their primary schools may have played a role in their signing with Albany, Miles Thompson offered another view.

“It’s just that SU is like a powerhouse right now,” Miles said. “Albany didn’t win anything. We want to change that. We want to start something new.”

Added cousin Ty Thompson: “I could see NCAA tournaments, and hopefully the final four.”