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

Pick the school that's right for you. There are 3 key things that go into a DIII experience that will provide you a lifetime of great memories. First, focus on the academics. The academics have to be what you're looking for, they have to challenge you and they have to drive you, don't settle. It's the greatest time of your life so get out of your comfort zone and grow as a person.

Second, do your research on the program and ask tons of questions so there are no surprises later when you've committed and you're on campus. Make sure you overnight and fully understand what the culture of the team is like, how the guys act off the field and how the team is perceived in the athletic department, at administration, across campus and in the local community. Listen carefully to the coach's vision for the team. Do they want to compete for conference championships or is he looking to pad a resume and bounce? What are his expectations for the squad and how you fit in with his future plans? Are you roster spot, or are you going to compete for a spot on the field? Ask about the teams retention rate, their graduation rate and the overall team GPA. Most coaches should know these numbers off the top of their head and will freely share them with you.

Lastly, away from lacrosse, what kind of opportunities are there for you to have a social life on the campus. Can you pursue and explore other interests at that school? Can you travel abroad, can you join the choir, be in the band, can you play multiple sports and have the opportunity to be engaged on the campus? It's your experience, make sure you have the opportunity to enjoy it and that you can develop into a well rounded person upon graduation.

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

very school has a recruiting form, that's probably the best way to get on our radar. Emails with links to video are equally helpful, but at the end of the day, the form is key. We can get to local / regional games in the spring and we spend a ton of time watching Michigan kids, but for out of state guys, if they know their summer schedule, it's very helpful when they shoot us an email or text with their tournament schedule for the whole summer. If we can't get out to see them live, technology has come a long way and we watch a ton of film on kids. We're looking to see 1) if they're an athlete 2) if they have a high level of lacrosse IQ and 3) what kind of a player they are on ball off ball after a goal, etc.

What type of players do you look for and where?

We look for multi sport athletes. Everyone has their own idea of size and shape, but my attack range from 5' 6" to 6' 5" while my defense is usually all over 6' 1" but I'll take a scrapper at 5' 10. It really all varies on the type of player from a physical components. We're always looking for that diamond in the rough, the kid who competes hard, is a good teammate, who has composure on the field and the sideline and who can play within a team environment. We look every place for talent. We have 14 kids from 9 different states outside of Michigan and we're always looking to the next untapped area for players.

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

The game has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains constant, you've got to have exceptional stick skills to play at a high level. We've all heard it time and time again, hit the wall, hit the wall, hit the wall. If you can't catch and throw, you can't play at the next level. I'm always encouraging kids to get to a position development camp in the summer months. Playing so many games in the summer without working on technique; be it dodges, shooting, defending top side, etc. can actually hurt you long term I think. Take a week and get to a position camp run by college coaches. Ohio State has an excellent one, as does Michigan and others.

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

I'm in a different world than the D1 guys so our attitude on recruiting is a little different perhaps. We're always talking to kids, getting to know them and their families. We're watching them play and seeing how they'd fit in our program. We want the absolute best student athletes that can help us win a conference championship, just like everyone else. So that will never change. It hasn't impacted us too much, we may have a few more juniors on campus for a day visit, but for us, a players junior year, the summer of a player's junior year and even his senior year are really important for us.

Are there any last pieces of advice for players and families you'd like to share?

I'm a firm believer that this is your decision as a family. Do what's right for you and your family and don't let a high priced club program or a high school coach influence your decision because of their agenda or what looks go on their website. It's your life and as a student athlete, I'd encourage you to follow your passion at the school that fits you the best. The quality of your education is the most important thing, quality lacrosse is the best bonus you could ever ask for.

ConnectLAX is a third party recruiting service and not affiliated with or endorsed by Michael Kinney or Alma College.