Division I lacrosse players share a passion for the game and willingness to put the team and its system ahead of personal goals. This common trait is not by coincidence; college coaches look for this during the recruiting process and prioritize team-first players with great attitudes that can elevate the team by performing within the system. Duke lacrosse is a great example of this.

Coach Andy Whitley of Fairfield University echoed this belief during our chat about what young players can do to stand out during the recruiting process and get on the recruiting radar of college coaches.

Andy Whitley is in his sixth season as a member of the men’s coaching staff. Whitley works closely with the Stags’ goalkeepers and faceoff men in addition to playing a leading role in recruiting.

Whitley joined the Fairfield staff in 2009 after serving as an assistant coach with Yale for three seasons.

What advice do you have for players interested in Division I schools?

Players interested in playing lacrosse at the Division I level need to have a combination of attributes. Being excellent lacrosse players is a given, at Fairfield University, we want players that play the game at a high level and also get enjoyment out of being part of the team.

At the end of the day, coaches are paid to win lacrosse games so we want players that are willing to make the commitment both on and off the field. Players are expected to practice with the team 4 hours a day and find the balance between lacrosse and their schoolwork.

What is the best way for players to get on your recruiting radar?

Recruits should look for multiple ways to get the attention of coaches. Coaches have a range of teaching philosophies and playing styles. Reach out to coaches and ask about their style and how your game would fit in. Create a recruiting profile that shows coaches the tournaments and showcases you’re attending as well as any highlight clips you may have. Attending coaches prospect days are a great way to showcase your skills and learn about coaching staff and campus.

What type of player’s do you primarily look for, a raw athlete or refined lacrosse player?

At Fairfield University, we look for well-balanced athletes. Recruiting is an art, not a science, being a great athlete is very important but the name of the game is catching, shooting and putting the ball in the back of the net. As coaches, we believe great athletes can be molded and taught to play lacrosse. The ability to create space on the field with your athletic ability is key to succeeding at the Division I level.

What areas of player development would you recommend players to focus on?

I recommend players focus on field concepts and become students of the game. Learning different styles of play and understanding the system you are playing in is important. At Fairfield, we want guys that are eager to learn new concepts and find their place within our system.

The disparity between Division I teams is very small; one or two players can make or break your team. As mentioned, a great example of this is Duke University. Duke has players capable of great individual achievements but collectively, they have found greater success by committing to the system their coaching staff has put in place. The key is for players to be open to changing their game to fit the system and benefit the team.

How has the accelerated recruiting landscape impacted your approach to recruiting?

The accelerated recruiting landscape means that Fairfield and other mid-major schools (in basketball terms) now recruit four different classes at a time. If a guy is talented enough, we will always find a spot for him on the team. Players who develop or grow into their bodies early in high school usually have a short recruiting process. However, for those whose bodies and skills take longer to develop the process could be finished as late as their senior year. The takeaway is that each player pursues his own recruiting path and there is no one size fits all model.

For example, Tom Lukacovic, a shared relationship of the staff and ConnectLAX, is a player who was lightly recruited early in his high school career but grew and developed into a great lacrosse player late in his junior year. Tom is now an important part of the Fairfield team. Players who may not be heavily recruited early in high school can still be major contributors at the college level by staying active in the process and growing their game.

Great, thanks Coach Whitley. Any final thoughts?

My advice is to not get overly anxious during the recruiting process and feel pressured into a decision. Continue to work on your game and hone your skills. Coaches are always looking for late bloomers and usually keep a few roster spots open for them.

ConnectLAX is a third party recruiting service and not affiliated with or endorsed by Fairfield University or Andrew Whitley.