As you may know from our earlier posts, SportsForce Athlete Eric Sanschagrin committed to Princeton Lacrosse over the summer. Mavericks Lacrosse Goalie Eric and his family put a lot of thought and time into the decision, from researching to visits to just gut feelings. Eric was extremely helpful when we asked him what advice he had for athletes looking to accomplish the same thing he did and be just as successful in their recruiting journey. See what Eric had to say in his own words below.

1. Stay on top of your grades! Also, freshman year shouldn’t be taken lightly! The pace at which many top Division I colleges are moving along with their recruiting processes only continues to speed up and schools are actively recruiting when only freshman and Sophomore grades are available. Don’t limit your options because of laziness freshman year!

2. Start early and be proactive. It’s hard enough for Western (lacrosse) players to get recruited as it is, make sure to you give yourself plenty of time to get noticed by the schools where you truly belong. No one wants to be left with their last choice, or no choice, because they didn’t move along fast enough in the process.

3. Make sure that you organize and prepare everything you need in advance of your Junior year and add to it as you go along. Don’t waste a coach’s time with half-ready emails. For emails this includes: Name, School, Position, Hand, Class (Year), Team Success (Highlights), Personal Awards, Upcoming Events you plan to attend (Team and Recruiting), GPA, Test Scores (ACT,SAT and even PSAT if you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT), Game Film (3 to 5 minutes of highlights and 2 of your best uncut game halves which can come from different games), A link to your SportsForce page, NCAA Clearinghouse ID #, High School Coach’s Phone # and email, Club Coach’s Phone # and email, and provide your phone # and email. Also, list that your transcript is available to be faxed to them if they want it from your school. Put the best parts in the title! Most coaches get hundreds of emails, so put your best foot forward with the title. Example: Eric Sanschagrin-All-American Goalie-Class of 2011‏‏-Lefty-La Costa Canyon High School-Attending California Gold‏‏‏‏‏. If no representatives from a school that you emailed respond within a few days, keep sending it periodically until they do. I’ll attach the email I used as an example!

4. Don’t be afraid to reach for the sky. Sending out emails to top schools is something everyone should consider, but be realistic. If you aren’t sure where you stand then ask your coaches for help. Even if you aren’t sure, send out a few recruiting emails and test because it can’t hurt.

5. Don’t rush into anything. It takes some time to decide which school best fits you for the next four to five years. Talk it over with your parents and coaches.

6. Have a plan and ask for help. It was nice to have my coaches, SportsForce, and my parents to help guide me through the process. Make a checklist to help manage what you have done and what you want to get done.

For more recruiting resources, visit our Education Page.

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Congratulations to La Costa Canyon Mavericks Boys Lacrosse goalie Eric Sanschagrin who committed to Princeton Lacrosse over the summer. We caught up with Eric and asked him a few questions to see how he made his decision and what he is most looking forward to. See what he had to say in his own words below, and check back later this week for his great advice for other athletes in the recruiting process.

What factors made you decide on Princeton?

- My main priority was to attend a top academic school, regardless of how good the lacrosse team was. Yet, like many aspiring lacrosse players, I had my heart set on playing Division I lacrosse. I decided early on that I wasn’t going to travel back east for school if it was just for athletic pursuits. I’d have rather played MCLA Lacrosse at an excellent academic school out west than at a lower level Division I school where I wouldn’t have fit academically. So, I sent out my emails to coaches whose schools fit my requirements. I emailed every coach or staff member listed on each school’s website. Thankfully, I got some responses and I was fortunate enough to hear from Princeton! Luckily, they were going to be at Under Armour All America tryouts in Ohio which I had already planned to attend. They noted that they would make sure to have their coach watch me while I was there. After a few follow up emails, I visited Princeton unofficially in July and absolutely loved the feel of the campus and the town of Princeton. During my visit I met most of the coaching staff and toured the campus and facilities. The coaching staff is made up of truly amazing individuals and I couldn’t be happier to have them as my future coaches. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to commit in July and I wasted no time in saying yes.

Were there any other schools you were seriously considering?

- No other schools made it past the “We’re interested” or “What camps will you be attending?” emails. I decided against doing a giant summer recruiting tour and only attended three camps/tournaments. This limited which coaches could have seen me. So, I was extremely fortunate to have Princeton make it to two of them. I was interested in the University of Pennsylvania, where my former teammate Reid Tudor is now a Freshman, as well as the other Ivy League Schools. Honestly, I probably would have settled back west if I hadn’t found something I truly loved.

What are you most looking forward to most about playing for the Princeton?

- After recently visiting Princeton for my official visit, I finally got to meet the team for the first time. First off, I’m really excited to learn from Tyler Fiorito (future teammate and goalie) We are both left handed goalies and I cannot think of a more qualified current college player to learn from. He will be a senior for the 2012 season when I’m a freshman. It will be nice to learn from a player whose prep lacrosse path was so different from mine. He entered Princeton as the top recruit in his class while my light summer schedule has left me largely unnoticed by most talent scouts and recruit evaluators. Also, I met my recruiting class while on my official visit and I was impressed by how down to earth our “Class of 2015″ truly was. Coach Bates dubbed 2015 the “Unheralded Class” because we aren’t all well-hyped recruits and we have a lot to prove. I can’t wait for more time with the team and the chance to attend the University!

See Eric’s full SportsForce profile here: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/esanschagrin

La Costa Canyon’s Mike Riis recently committed to the University of Denver to play for their Men’s Lacrosse Program. We caught up with Mike to do a little Q&A to see how he got where he is today and the advice he has for others on the same journey. See what he had to say below.

What factors made you decide on the University of Denver? First of all the academics, I plan on majoring in business and the program they have there is great. I also liked the location of it being close to home yet I am still playing big time Division I lacrosse. I was very impressed with Coach Tierney and his entire staff and I look forward to being coached by them over the next four years.

Were there any other schools you were seriously considering? The other schools that I was seriously considering were Drexel in Philadelphia as well as Air Force and Chapman University in California.

What are you most looking forward to most about playing for the University of Denver? The biggest thing that I am looking forward to about playing at Denver is the lacrosse games versus big time schools such as Syracuse and Duke. Those games will be huge for me because I have watched those teams play on TV all of my life.

What advice would you give to other student athletes looking to play in college? The main advice I would give is just to work hard. The main reason I am going to play lacrosse in college is from countless hours playing wall ball and shooting at the school nearby.

Congratulations again to Mike and his family! Check out Mike’s SportsForce highlight video below to see him in action.

We shared La Costa Canyon Lacrosse player, Alex Pardieu’s recruitment journey here. As part of catching up with Alex, SportsForce had a few questions for his coach, LCC boys varsity coach, Dallas Hartley. See what Dallas had to say about Alex, the FSU commit, below.

1.    How would you describe Alex on the field (strengths, playing style, etc.)?

Alex hustles and his game translates well to full field situations.  He can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving.  He plays great team defense on and off the ball.  And he is great in transition where his speed really shows.
2.    How would you describe Alex off the field (academics, leadership, etc.)?

Well mannered and easy going.  Has a lot of friends and surrounds himself with good people who know their academics are the key to their future.

3.    How do you think Alex will help a team at the college level (what should a college coach expect)?

Alex brings a strong work ethic, an infectious good attitude, and he wants to get better.  He is very coachable.
4.    How do you think Alex will develop over the next few years as a lacrosse player?

He has enormous potential.  He will be one of the best players on his team and demand respect.  Speed, team play, and the intangibles translate well to the next level.

5.    Any final thoughts about Alex?
Pleasure to coach a kid who wants to be better every day.

See Alex’s Full SportsForce Profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/apardieu

La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA), a perennial lacrosse powerhouse in Southern California won two early season games against top contenders to prove their continued strength in California. LCC met up with De La Salle High School (Concord, CA) earlier this month. LCC took control of the game from the start and held onto the game til the very end, defeating a strong De La Salle team, 11-5. Big performances came from Senior Middie Andrew Hayden and Sophomore Attack Brendan Gaughan and Senior Attack Timmy Andrews. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.

Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

San Diego’s Summit Performance Group (SPG), a leading provider of conference planning, incentive travel, sports hospitality and event technology solutions announced the launch of PacificXPOSURE. SportsForce has partnered with PacificXPOSURE, which is a premier national lacrosse tournament and Southern California sports destination event, that will take place in North County San Diego at Del Norte High School (Headquarters), Rancho Bernardo High School, and West View High School. The event is scheduled for June 25^th-27^th 2010.

Doug Wheeler, co-owner and partner of SPG, said that his company decided to launch PacificXPOSURE because of the growth of lacrosse in the area and the need for quality travel tournaments for the sport. The company’s site (http://www.summitpg.com/pacificxposure/index.htm) explains that “the tournament is open to boys and girls and men and women Open Division lacrosse players from across the country and Canada. Attendees will come from as far as California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Canada and the East Coast. Divisions will be separated by age level including elementary and middle school youth U-11, U-13, U-15 groups, high school and club boys and girls teams, and Open Division Men’s and Women’s play (high school graduates and above).”

The tournament will be led by director Dennis Yeatman from Rancho Bernardo. Dennis was recently elected member of the US Lacrosse San Diego Hall of Fame and has been directly involved in the sport of lacrosse for over 40 years. In 1996 he founded Pacific Lacrosse and has been operating girls & boys, youth and High School programs since that time. Both he and his wife were recognized in 2006 as recipients of the A. Norman Webb Award for their volunteering efforts across the county on behalf of the sport of lacrosse.

There will be a PacificXPOSURE Vendor Village at Del Norte High School in 4S Ranch, which is located in Northern San Diego. The Vendor Village will showcase both youth and adult offerings, including lacrosse and sports products, entertainment and food and beverages. Other tournament locations will also offer exhibits and showcases. The event will offer coaches talks and parent/child meetings as well as evening events.  PacificXPOSURE will also offer an exclusive boys and girls lacrosse combine June 25^th at Del Norte High School.

Wheeler explained that with today’s tough economy, PacificXPOSURE will offer the chance to attend an exceptional lacrosse tournament and event close to home. Taking place in June in San Diego County, PacificXPOSURE will also prove to be a great destination event for those traveling from out of the area.

PacificXPOSURE is a chance to give back to the community as SPG and the event work with Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit whose mission is to empower at-risk and underprivileged youth through outdoor programming and the Wounded Warrior Project that works to provide aid to and empower wounded soldiers.

LCC faced off against Coronado this week. The game was sure to be full of action as Coronado defeated LCC last season in the CIF Championship game. Arguably the two best teams in San Diego and among the top teams in the state, Coronado and LCC fought hard to establish each team’s dominance for the new season. LCC took an early lead with help from Andrew Hayden who helped secure possession for LCC in the majority of the game’s face-offs. Hayden scored a game high three goals in the match up that LCC won 8-5. Timmy Andrews had two goals and one assist, and Brendan Gaughan finished with goal and two assists. No. 2 ranked Coronado played strong with great performances from Kyle Runyon and Alex Bookout who each scored two goals. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.

Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

SportsForce is excited to share the announcement of La Costa Canyon and NC Starz Elite player Alex Pardieu’s commitment to Florida State to play Men’s Lacrosse.

Florida State Men’s Lacrosse shared the news in a press release:

La Costa Canyon senior midfielder Alex Pardieu will attend Florida State University in the fall.  LCC High School is located in Carlsbad, California.

The 5’10”, 165 pound Pardieu was a four year varsity letterman and as a junior, was named All-County and All-Conference in the highly competitive San Diego section.  Most recently, he was invited to play at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England on the U19 team.

“Alex can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving”, said LCC Head Coach Dallas Hartley.  “He plays team defense on and off the ball and is great in transition”.  Added FSU Head Coach Bill Harkins, “We are excited to have Alex join the program”.

See Alex’s Full SportsForce Profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/apardieu

Chris Rotelli is co-founder of Golden State Lacrosse Academy in San Francisco, CA (http://www.gs-lax.com/). Golden State Lacrosse offers clinics, camps, workshops, and private lessons as well as community outreach programs to bring lacrosse to new people. SportsForce caught up with Chris to find out what it’s like to play professional lacrosse, share his story and much more. Chris is a three time MLL All Star, winner of the Tewaaraton Award, and was named ACC Male Athlete of the Year (2003) among other honors.

When did you start playing lax? How and why did you get started?

I started playing in 3rd grade. My dad gave me a stick and taught me how to throw, and I feel in love with it instantly.

What caused you to make lacrosse your sport? What do you love about it?

I love the speed of the game, and the teamwork. It is extremely fast, and a total adrenaline rush the whole time you are on the field. Unlike other sports where only a couple people are involved with each play; in lacrosse every person on the field is involved in the game at all times, and that keeps it mentally engaging. Since everyone is always involved, it makes teamwork and communication huge parts of the game, and I love it.

How has lacrosse impacted your life?

Lacrosse has completely shaped my life. It gave me focus growing up, and taught me how to pursue my goals. It helped me get into a great college and gave me a career working with a sport that I love. Through lacrosse I’ve met so many amazing people, and now I have friends all over the world that I have either played with or against at some time in my life. I’ve been able to travel the country, and now I get to teach young kids that same way my role models taught me how to play the game growing up. I feel pretty lucky, and lacrosse has definitely given me a lot.

What advice would you give to young lax players hoping to play in college or beyond?

Shoot on a goal, and pass on a wall as much as possible.

You were a highly decorated player in great programs in both high school and college. What advice would you have for athletes who are trying to make themselves stand out at schools without such great programs, or those just playing club?

I came from Rhode Island where lacrosse at the time was only played in five schools, so I understand what it is like coming from a ’small pond.’ My advice is to use that as motivation and work harder than everyone. If you are coming from an area where lacrosse is young, but you want to play with the best, you have to keep raising the bar for yourself, and out-work not only your teammates, but also every kid playing in Baltimore, Long Island, etc.

You were drafted first overall in the MLL college draft, tell us what that experience was like.

That was very exciting. We had just won the National Championship four days earlier, so it was truly an amazing week for me, and actually very humbling.

What is the life of a professional lacrosse player like?

It is very fun. We’re fortunate to get paid to play a game we love, and do it with our friends. I love it.

When did you start to think about “going pro?” What was that decision process like?

I honestly didn’t think about it much until after the National Championship. I was in my senior season in 2003 at UVA, and was only focused on winning a championship. Fortunately we did, and then I could think about the MLL. But the draft was three days after that game, so I really didn’t have much time to think about the MLL until I was in it. I played my first game six days later.

Explain a little bit about the mission of Golden State Lax Academy. Could you highlight some of the programs you offer?

Our mission is to create better players, and increase their enjoyment of the game. We teach them the right way to play, but also keep it as fun as possible. For us, practice was always fun because we loved lacrosse. So we really try to show kids that hard work not only can be fun, but should be fun. We do day camps, overnight camps, and clinics throughout the year. www.gs-lax.com

What is your favorite part about working with young and up and coming lacrosse players?

Seeing their excitement, and making a positive difference in their lives.

What do you think about lacrosse being the fastest growing sport in the country? Why do you think it is growing so fast?

I love that the sport is taking off. Lacrosse is addictive, and the most fun team sport you will ever play. In my humble opinion, it will not stop growing.

How did you land in California?

My favorite activities have always been lacrosse, surfing, and skiing. I moved to CA so that I could have easier access to surf and snow. In the northeast, you have to drop everything you’re doing to get the small windows of good surf or good snow, and I wanted to live somewhere it would be easier to work those into my daily routine.  When I got here, I fell in love with all of it. San Francisco is the friendliest city you’ll ever see. People here are so fun and cool; it’s hard not to love living here.

SportsForce has partnered with the Surfside Cup. WomensLax.com is hosting the event which will serve as the season opener for the 5-time defending national champion Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats will be facing off against Atlantic-10 Champion UMass Minutewomen. The event will take place Saturday, February 6^th at 8pm at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego. The game will showcase some of the nation’s top women’s lacrosse players.

Sunday, February 7^th will also feature a high school tournament, a coaching seminar, a youth clinic, and a high school shooting clinic. The clinics will be led by Northwestern Lacrosse Coaches, including 2009 World Cup Champion, Lindsey Munday, of Team USA. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.womenslax.com and also at the gate the day of the event. Gates for the Northwestern/ UMass game will open at 7pm.

WomensLax.com’s Ashley Gersuk said of the event, “The inaugural Surfside Cup was very well-received by an enthusiastic and growing San Diego Lacrosse community in 2009 and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2010. This weekend promises to be exciting for lacrosse players, coaches, and enthusiasts of every level.”