The Fastbreak - Fall 2023
FALL 2023
College recruiting process - Interview with NCAA DI Head coach Nik Colpitts
Getting recruited is not easy these days. High school student athletes have a lot on their plate as it is, finding balance between school, athletics, and social life. To provide some clarity about the college recruiting process, we went in depth with the Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse at Queens University of Charlotte (NCAA Division I), Nik Colpitts, to get an insider's perspective on how the process works. Nik is a Homegrown alumni, who served as Homegrown’s Leagues Director and Social Media Director from 2014-2016. Here’s our interview with Coach Colpitts:
Take us through the college recruiting process, where does it start and end? How do you know which players to look for?
The most important factor to know about the college lacrosse recruiting process is that no two situations are the same. Everyone’s path is a little different and that is okay. Some of the best players that I have ever coached were the first guys committed in a class and some of the last guys committed in a class.
The other important part to understand is that every program is different. They recruit on a different timeline, value different characteristics, have different roster needs and especially have different financial situations.
With all that in mind, in a traditionally recruiting process. At the Division I level, the biggest evaluation period is the summer going into one’s junior year before the contact date of September 1st. Typically, throughout that summer most coaching staffs are on the road, identifying players to add to their “big board” so when the time comes, they are able to begin developing that relationship in the recruiting process with the player. These evaluations do continue into the Fall and the following summer as well. Again, every staff/program’s process is a little different however, in my experience it is somewhat of a 5-step process:
- Initial outreach via coaching staff
- Introductory phone / zoom call between coach and recruit
- On-campus visit (tour campus, facilities, meet with coaching staff)
- Extension of Offer (Walk-on, Athletic Aid)
- Final Decision / Commitment
These steps are in no way a one-size fits all model, but I have found them to be the most common. This process, based on the institution, can potentially go all the way up to the summer before freshman year of college.
What do you look for when scouting players? Stick skills, athleticism, work ethic, leadership, etc.?
When it comes to what coaches look for, I can almost guarantee every coach is going to have a different answer. But most of their answers will include four criteria: 1) athleticism 2) individual skill 3) academics and 4) individual character.
The first thing that catches my eye is the athleticism of a player. Simply put, do I think that player can physically play at the Division I level and help our program be successful? Traits like size, strength, speed, agility, endurance and others are all weighed during an evaluation. Athleticism oftentimes can get your foot in the door.
From there, the next piece is does that athlete have the skills that align with our style of play. Each position and even each system requires different skills. A simple example of this is a dodging attackman versus an inside finishing attackman - those are vastly different skill sets but depending on the style of play are both very important. So, can that athlete’s skill fit in with our level and systems?
The third piece, and this is usually one of the first things asked on an introductory phone call, is academics. Does the potential student athlete have the necessary GPA and academic record to be enrolled in the institution? This again varies from school to school. The best advice I can give is, the higher your grades - the more doors you will keep open!
The last and the most important one in my opinion is individual character. How do they conduct themselves? Are they polite, are they hardworking, do they persevere during hard times, are they good teammates, do they have a good sense of right and wrong? When a program chooses a player, they are investing their time and effort into the development of that young man. Speaking on what I value, if I am going to do that - I want to spend it on someone who I enjoy being around and who does the right thing when no one is looking.
What advice would you give to young players looking to get recruited and play college lacrosse?
My first piece of advice is this: if you want to play college lacrosse, there is a place for you to do that regardless of your skill set. NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, MCLA Division I & II - there are hundreds of programs out there looking for players. You will always be able to find a home.
The second piece is: be proactive in your own search because at the end of the day it is YOUR process. Create a highlight reel, an IMCLA recruits profile, email coaches, attend prospect days, visit campuses - go out and do your own field research. The chances of you going to one tournament and having your dream school reach out and you live happily ever after is a fairytale in most cases. You have to invest your time in the process, otherwise you will never fully maximize your situation.
My last advice would be, and this is most true with the current generation of high school players: your college lacrosse commitment is bigger than one instagram post. I have seen it a lot over the past few years of players eager to commit to play lacrosse in college just so they can put it on their social media platforms. One life-altering big decision, for an afternoon of likes and reposts. There has to be more to it than that. Because what your followers won’t see are the 6:00 am lifts, the afternoon conditioning sessions, the study hall hours, the Fridays in your dorm room because you have a game the next day, the intense October practices even though you do not have a game until February. All those things are your reality once you make that decision.
What are the first steps high school players should take when trying to get recruited?
I touched on it earlier, but I think the most important step is getting a highlight reel. Especially, when you are at a disadvantage with your geographical location. Being from Minnesota, it is tough for a school on the east coast to watch you play. Create a highlight reel and continue to add to it and update it as you get more and more film.
From there, start researching schools. Division, size, major, location, tuition costs,- start identifying what you are looking for in your college experience. Visit them if you have the option! The more places you can visit, the more informed you will be!
Email the staff of the programs you are most interested in with your highlight reel and the schedule of the events you are attending and continue to update them throughout the year.
How did your time at Homegrown impact your coaching style?
I am very grateful for my time with Homegrown. Not just in my development as a coach but more importantly my development as a person. The people I was able to be colleagues with: Jesse Brown, Noah Hall, Ryan Beeson, and Brent Walby, were some of the best people I have ever been around, and they made me elevate myself just by being themselves. That is a true testament of their leadership skills - the ability to bring out the best in others, while being themselves.
Because of my time spent at Homegrown, it widened by worldview on the importance of character in sport and in life. I was asked in my interview at Queens, what my coaching philosophy was and over my career I have narrowed it down to one sentence: building better young men through the sport of lacrosse. Without my time at Homegrown, I do not think I would have that approach. It is my opinion that our jobs as coaches are to develop the whole person, not just the athlete and that is the core tenant of the Homegrown mission.
New Director of the Indigenous Lacrosse Alliance - Corbyn Tao
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we introduce you to a new addition to the Homegrown family, Corbyn Tao, who will be joining us as the Director of the Indigenous Lacrosse Alliance (ILA).
Corbyn brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team and we are thrilled to have him onboard. His passion for the sport, dedication to player development, and strategic vision for the ILA makes him an ideal fit for our organization.
Corbyn has had an exciting lacrosse career, notably playing Division 1 lacrosse at Robert Morris University where he was a four-year starter. After college, his talents were further recognized when he was drafted by the professional box lacrosse team, the Minnesota Swarm. In between his high school, collegiate and professional career he continued his focus and passion playing box lacrosse for the Coquitlam Adanacs, Six Nations Arrows, and New Westminster Salmonbellies.
While he continues to play recreationally, his primary focus has shifted to coaching. Since 2016, he has served as the Varsity head coach for Breck High School. He has also coached Team MN's 2016 and 2020 teams and is currently leading Team MN's box high school teams. His most recent coaching opportunity was with Team Hong Kong in the 2023 World Championships, where they finished 13th.
Over the past few weeks, Corbyn has been transitioning into his role and working closely with the ILA team to learn more about the program's goals, challenges, and opportunities. His main focus will be to enhance the ILA, fostering a culture of excellence, community support/growth, and teamwork for our organization. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Corbyn. We look forward to working together and achieving new heights with the ILA under his leadership.
We want to thank Rory Taylor, former ILA director, for all his dedication and time put into the ILA. He has created a strong foundation for Corbyn to learn and build off. We wish Rory the best of luck in his future endeavors and he will always be a part of the ILA and Homegrown family.
Spreading the game
This summer, Homegrown teamed up with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to introduce the exciting world of lacrosse to local youth. Homegrown senior staff members headed to local Minneapolis parks and spent a few hours of their day going over the fundamentals of lacrosse like how to throw, catch, shoot, cradle, etc.. The kids even got to play a game of traditional lacrosse and learn about the history of the game. The goal of these camps was to reach youngsters who may have never encountered lacrosse, providing them with a fun and inclusive experience.
Homegrown's legacy goes beyond lacrosse; it's about shaping character, boosting confidence, and fostering a sense of community. By introducing lacrosse to local youth, Homegrown aims to leave a lasting impact, ensuring the sport's influence extends far beyond the playing field.
"Getting out and interacting with these young kids in our community reminds me why I like to coach in the first place. Lacrosse taught me a lot about myself and life when I was a kid, so it’s awesome to introduce this game that has been so meaningful to me to new kids." says Peyton Krause, a Homegrown Senior Staff Member.
Photo Credit to MPRB
Upcoming Trylax event:
Lacrosse, like other sports, provides a great learning platform for life. Allowing kids to learn to work collaboratively, set attainable goals, and develop character. So when we are introducing kids to lacrosse, we want to be thoughtful and intentional. With this in mind we designed a program specifically for first-time players to experience the game in a fun, low-pressure environment. With the support of lacrosse players looking to give back to their community, we have set up two free TryLax Clinics for kids of all ages who are interested in trying our wonderful sport.
The next TryLax clinic is scheduled for this January 10th, 2024, at the Brooklyn Park dome. We have partnered with Maple Grove Youth Lacrosse board members and coaches, who will help run the clinic alongside Homegrown senior staff members.
Lacrosse Included in 2028 Summer Olympics
In a landmark decision that marks the culmination of years of advocacy and growth, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has voted to include lacrosse in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This will be the sport’s first appearance as a medal event since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, making it the sixth Olympic appearance overall for lacrosse.
The decision to include lacrosse in the 2028 Olympics is part of a sweeping initiative by the LA28 Organizing Committee to diversify and innovate the Olympic sports roster. Additional sports such as baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, and squash have also been added. Lacrosse will be showcased in the Sixes format—a fast-paced, high-intensity version of the sport played on a more compact field, measuring 70 x 36 meters. The Sixes format comprises fewer players (6 v 6), condensed game lengths (four 8-minute quarters), and a 30-second shot clock. Sixes was notably showcased at The World Games 2022, featuring teams from the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Sixes is anticipated to not only bring electrifying competition to the Olympic stage but also to provide a more accessible entry point to the sport for youth and underserved communities. This aligns closely with the objectives of the group tasked with establishing lacrosse as a worthy candidate for Olympic inclusion, as it highlights both the sport's versatility and its broader social impact.As the global lacrosse community celebrates this significant milestone, eyes are turning to the 2028 Olympic Games as a momentous platform for presenting the pinnacle of lacrosse talent. More than a mere comeback to the Olympic arena, lacrosse is seizing an opportunity on a worldwide stage that has the potential to reshape its destiny.
“I am thrilled that our collective efforts have cumulated in this monumental achievement. It is an astounding success, and I couldn’t be more excited about the milestone we have reached together. As athletes, this is the pinnacle of our sport, and we would like to thank World Lacrosse and the entire lacrosse community around the world for their dedication, passion and unwavering commitment in this journey for Olympic inclusion. It is a true celebration of the rich history of lacrosse, and a testament to the unity of our sport.”
-Jane Lee, Korea Women’s National Team/World Lacrosse Athletes’ Commission Chair & Board Member
“As an athlete, this is the dream. And today, the next generation lacrosse player picking up a stick for the first time can dream big. There have never been more opportunities for players at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. Our path of ascendency in just five years at the PLL proves the incredible potential and possibilities of the sport – where today’s news further cements lacrosse as the next great global game. A special thank you to LA28 and the IOC for believing in our vision. To World Lacrosse and every lacrosse organization around the world that continues to invest in the growth of the game: thank you. We’re back.”
-Paul Rabil, Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder/2x World Champion (USA)