SportsFive.NET

Let me say from the onset, I like numbers. I mean, I really like numbers. They speak to me and I understand their meaning, but I also recognize that not everyone shares my interest or my respect for them.

On Sunday, SportsFive will open a new feature for lacrosse fans, when we enable for the first time, our "Leader Board" and statistics package which will follow basic lacrosse stats throughout the section.

Although simple this year, it is our hope that over then next few seasons we will start to standardize the statistics kept for every game played in the section to allow an accurate numerical depiction of the games and to honor the accomplishments of our players.

So, in this first step we will be posting goal, assist and point leaders throughout the season for the offensive side of the field and goalie saves, goals allowed and minutes played on the defensive end of the field.

The program is, however, not without risk. First, there is the issue of insuring that all information is reported. The coaches in Section Five have proven over a number of years that they are committed to their players and programs and have professional about providing accurate data. It is, in this new venture, imperative that all the information is received so "no player is left behind".

There will be mistakes made in the recording of the data. With a large number of game reports each week, information may be reported incorrectly, or may be entered incorrectly and we do want the information to be accurate.

Please understand, however, that we will not be responding to public requests to change one stat or another except when those changes come through our normal reporting sources. That means that if you as a player or parents or fan think that there is an error, talk to the Head Coach and he will request that we make the change.

Another issue relates to the competitiveness of athletes. Posting leaders could, without supervision, lead to grandstanding by players wishing to "boost their stats" or pile on the score to look better on the Leader Board. There could be "races" for a top spot. "One more goal and I beat out the guy from wherever."

Coaches will need to be vigilant, and to watch for this kind of behavior. The professional actions of our coaches will minimize the risk, but all adults must carefully watch and be mindful of the need to monitor the behavior of players, particularly with respect to scoring goals. Is the player showboating? Is he not making the obvious pass in order to try to add to his stats? Is he just playing for himself? Is he honoring the game and his opponent?

A feature of the stats package we have created is the ability to look at a player's performance by game. This view allows the fan to see where the points were scored, or where the save percentage came from. It will be obvious to everyone where a player with "big" numbers did his work. If he is unable to score against tough opponents, but scores many points against weaker opponents, it will be easily noticed.

Great players are like cream rising to the top. They usually are aware of the numbers, but are not motivated by them. They have pride in their accomplishments but it is the joy of playing that is their focus.

Let's enjoy the numbers and not let them be the focus of our attention.

Thar's money on them thar fields (or not) . . . .

I can't count the number of times that I have heard players (and their parents) talk about how hard they are working in the hopes of securing a college lacrosse scholarship. The subject often comes up at the end of a season, after a player has done well in his varsity (or sometimes JV) season, and plans are underway to select "the right camp" in an effort to increase college exposure.

Well, let's look at the numbers and see what's available.

We should start with the premise that the potential player is athletic and accomplished and among the best on his team and well respected within his league and Section.

The NCAA allows a maximum of 12.6 full scholarships per team at any one time. That's 12.6 for the whole team (freshman year through senior). Making the math simple, that would mean that a "fully funded" Division I team would have about 3 full scholarships (maximum) for each recruiting class.

To be realistic, however, it should be noted that most Division I teams are not fully funded, meaning that they do not offer the full 12.6 scholarships. It should also be noted that most scholarship offers are not "full rides", but are partial scholarships, allowing for more team members to get "some" athletic aid if warranted.

Back to the math . . .

Laxpower.com lists 56 Division I schools playing lacrosse. Seven schools are in the Ivy League (which does not allow athletic scholarships), which leaves us with 49 teams that could offer about 3 scholarships to recruits.

Based on our "simple math" we could conclude that there would be less than 147 scholarships available to a recruiting class in the Division I in a given year.

At the Division II level, the NCAA allows 10.8 scholarships per team and Laxpower lists 33 teams playing. Using the same math, there would be less than 83 scholarships available for the Division II recruiting class.

Division III and club teams are not allowed to offer athletic scholarships.

Now, let's look at the "player pool".

Laxpower lists 2,305 schools playing high school lacrosse. If we conservatively estimate 8 seniors on each team, that would mean that 18,400 players might be interested in playing at the college level.

If the top 2 percent of those seniors are looking for a scholarship that would mean that almost 370 players are competing for 147 D-I and 83 D-II slots.

In reality, those top 2 percent (and perhaps a few more) are splitting partial scholarships. However, that leaves more than 18,000 potential recruits who are not getting any athletic money. (Incidentally, if each of the 227 non-club teams is looking for 10 recruits per year, there would be about 2,227 lacrosse positions available in a recruiting year, so making the team would be an accomplishment.)

Thinking about going after a college lacrosse scholarship? Are you in the top two percent of your team, league and section? Perhaps you should work on your grades and look for an academic scholarship. They are "easier" to get, but that math lesson is for another day.

Jeff DiVeronica wrote the front page story in Sunday's Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and devoted a great deal of his time on his Saturday High School Sports talk show (noon on Saturdays, WHTK 1280-AM) on the subject of junior high school athletes moving up to play on high school teams.

The NYS Education Department allows younger students to play on high school JV or Varsity teams under a program called the ?Selection/Classification Program". Although the rules mandate that a number of steps must be taken before the move can take place, it seems that there probably are school districts where students who "are not that exceptional" are allowed to move up.

Former Section Five President Rick Amundson makes the statement that "... it's being used to fill roster spots or take a look at your future (varsity) team a few years ahead of time, and that's not what it's for."

As a lacrosse coach for more than 27 years, I saw a number of exceptional lacrosse players who were able to pass the various tests required under the program and were allowed to move up. The vast majority of those athletes ended up as important players on their college lacrosse teams. In many case, there were discussions with parents that allowed us to look for the best interest of the athlete, and in a few cases, although there was clearly athletic talent, the best interest of the player/family was to say "no" to moving up.

As a parent of daughter who, along with three of her classmates, moved up to varsity swimming in 7th grade, I can speak to concern for what can happen when 7th graders share a locker room with 12th graders. Our family had quite a few discussions before allowing the move and our biggest concern was for the mixing of ages. I really understood that how big that difference was when my daughter received a post-season award as "the most innocent" swimmer on her team that year. Kate is now a scholarship athlete at the University of Louisville. Three of the four girls that moved up that year went on to swim on competitive college teams. The one that did not, transferred in her junior year of high school to become an exceptional concert musician.

I have often suggested that Varsity athletics is the "advanced placement" of physical education. Talent, a great deal of interest and dedication can sometimes allow a talented athlete to continue their love of their sport at the college level. The "Exceptional Athlete Program" ("Selection/Classification Program") recognizes that younger players are sometimes better off when they are allowed to play at higher level, where their skills are similar to their opponents.

The program works best, however, when parents, coaches and administrators work together in the best interest of the athlete and make certain that decisions are not based on what is good for the team, the program or adults.

It was March like weather at one of the games I attended this week, but the stadium looked great, the grass thick and green and I expected that the teams would be somewhat evenly matched. At one point, however, it looked like the visiting team's fans would outnumber the home team fans, but as game time approached, that changed.

In this particular stadium, like many others in the area, an all weather track surrounds the field and on this day the track team was still practicing during the lacrosse warm ups. It always make me a bit nervous when lacrosse players are shooting and the runners are in the area, but in many years, for some reason, the track team members seem to keep from getting hit.

As the warm ups concluded the home team lined up and began to take their helmets off, indicating that, at this game, the National Anthem would be played. I am surprised how often it is not played, as I would think it is an opportunity that no home team would want to miss.

Some schools play recordings of students playing or singing the Anthem, but at this school it was an orchestral rendition and as it started, the lacrosse players and fan came to attention and faced the flag that was waving in the breeze. Men removed their hats and some placed their hat or hand over their heart.

At that point, standing near the track I was surprised by a runner who jogged past me and toward his coach who was standing on the track between me and the flag pole. I assumed that the coach would admonish the young man and that they would both come to attention for the Anthem. They did not, and instead continued to talk as though the playing of the National Anthem did not apply to them.

I have to admit that I had a great deal of trouble trying to concentrate on my task as my eye kept wandering from the flag to the track coach and the runner. By the time the Anthem was done, I was pretty wound up but decided that I would have a "teachable moment", at least for the coach. As I was preparing an appropriate opening line, one that I hoped would not be too aggressive, I noticed that they were both gone.

I think it's safe to say that neither one would be reading this column, but I need to say it anyway. When you hear the National Anthem playing, it doesn't much matter what you are doing. Stop. Face the flag. Stand at attention and honor our country.

See you at the games.

I came across an interesting web article at the Star Gazette about a speaker who had been brought in to speak to coaches and athletes at Southside High School (Elmira).

John Underwood, founder and president of the American Athletic Institute stated according to the Gazette,

"Alcohol and drug use among high school athletes is out of control," he told the Elmira City School District''s spring coaches. "Kids don''t value sports the way they used to and we''ve got to work hard to get that back. We need to send a strong message with codes of conducts, get parents to help and hope the community will back them up."

That is an interesting observation, particularly in light of the numerous notable problems that our community athletic teams have had this year. The number of cancellations of games and seasons has been noteworthy this year, although, thus far, not in lacrosse in Section Five. The problems with the Duke Lacrosse team have been the talk of lacrosse circles all week.

Underwood went on to say:

one night of alcohol use can offset two weeks of training. He said a study revealed only about 35 percent of high school athletes are serious about their sport. Most of the remaining 65 percent play sports for social reasons, which may contribute to some athletes'' willingness to break the rules and use alcohol or drugs.

Over the years, we have seen many sports teams become after school "day care" programs so that parents who need or want to have be away from home after school will have " a safe place" for their children. The sports programs have changed from places where gifted athletes work to become better, to little more than "intramurals" with teams from other districts. This phenomenon, however, should be left for another blog entry.

We know that we have a problem with the use and abuse of alcohol among underage players. As I have stated in a previous blog entry, the problem is not new. Somehow we must meet the problem head on and it seems that programs like Mr. Underwood''s is certainly a good step.

Perhaps, however, we should move more swiftly.

Read the article [no longer available] and see what you think.

Game Day Obervations:

I was a game this week, actually looking for potential "Sportsman of the Week" candidates for the SportsFive Players of the Week awards and unfortunately, I didn''t find any.

The game was close, and perhaps unexpectedly so, and as a result both teams were at working hard to do their best. Players ran hard for ground balls, coaches looked for any small piece of useful information and the fans were cheering every good play. It was just what our game should be.

Then something changed. A couple of goals were scored and one team started to take control. The other team began to panic, just a little, and the action was like a snowball rolling down hill.

As one coach started to yell at his players, the other coach felt he had to yell louder. Many of the comments were directed to the officials, who had, to my eye, called a good and consistent game. Parents and fans started to become more negative, with each side working to be louder than their opponent. The players were the last to fall, as eventually there were a few late hits and a few negative comments that were clearly not there at the beginning of the game. In the end, players on both teams were yell at their own team members.

What a sad thing, when the score is more important than the joy of a well played contest.

As I was reviewing the various links on the SportsFive.net site, I came across a new article on the Penfield Lacrosse Site that spells out in a great way, their youth lacrosse program?s ?Balanced Team Concept?.

It is an example of how level-headed adults can do the right thing and focus on the needs of the kids as well as the needs of the program.

The philosophy states, that although the organization knows that they could combine their best talent on one team and win a lot of games, they choose to create balance over all of their teams. Thus, they clearly state that in their youth program, they kids will be divided up to that each of their teams will be on equal strength.

They clearly state that their mission is teaching the game and that winning comes second.

In what seems to be a ?let me tell you before you ask? manner, the organization lists many reasons why they think this philosophy is the right one, and surprisingly, they even suggest some reasons against the idea. My favorite ?pro? reason is that the better kids tends to have to help the less talented kids. What a wonderful lesson to learn at a young age, and what a wonderful way to "honor the game".

Hats off to the folks at Penfield Lacrosse and I'll just bet that in the long run, everyone will benefit from their "balance".

Read the article at the Penfield Lacrosse site at:
www.penfieldlacrosse.org/PYL/PYL-Balanced-Teams.htm

There have been, in last few months, a proliferation of news articles about high school athletes getting in trouble with alcohol. At the end of last spring it was members of the State Champions from West Genesee, who, allegedly had a post season party that included alcohol.

This fall, one Section Five team suspended almost a hundred players for breaking a district rule that prohibits athletes from be in the presence of alcohol. A number of team contests were forfeited because there were not enough players left to play the games. Another Section Five team followed suit less than a month later, and ended up playing games with JV players in order to meet their schedule commitments.

The problem of teenage drinking has been around for a very long time. For as long as I can remember, those of us who lead in athletic programs have tried all sorts of approaches to keeping players from drinking, and, quite frankly, kids keep doing it in spite of our efforts. I can remember times when I was sure that the players were faithful to their commitments, only to find out (years later) that the "best of teams" broke the rules on occasion.

The University of Michigan has been studying teen trends for quite some time:

"Alcohol use remains extremely widespread among today's teenagers. More than three out of every four students (77%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school; and nearly half (44%) have done so by 8th grade. In fact, more than half (60%) of the 12th graders and a fifth (20%) of the 8th graders in 2004 report having been drunk at least once in their life." The full report is available here.

Columbia University has also been studying teen issues for a number of years and suggests that alcohol is readily available and often right at home:

"Teens have easy access to alcohol. Parents are too often unwitting co-conspirators who see underage drinking and occasional bingeing as a rite of passage, rather than a deadly round of Russian roulette.
- One third of sixth and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homes.
- Children cite other people's homes as the most common setting for drinking." (report here)

In two of the three incidents above, parents were, allegedly, present and/or hosting the parties. How many of us have heard, "I took their keys, so they would be safe" or "It's ok with me because they're doing here at home"?

So what is to be done?

Well, first, we cannot simply give up the notion that teenagers should abstain. The evidence is overwhelming that young people should not use alcohol as a drug. Every thinking leader knows from the insurmountable amount of data that the use of alcohol is inconsistent with our educational goals in high school athletics.

We must remain steadfast in our resolve to enforce rules. As coaches we are constantly teaching players about rules. We teach game rules. We teach young people rules of conduct. We teach them rules for getting along with teammates, and so on. Teaching them that there are consequences for not following rules can be valuable as well.

What we must understand at the same time is that short of consistent testing for alcohol, our teams are going to have players who choose to break the laws and the rules. We must face the issue straight on, make our policies clear and follow through in spite of the pile of lawsuits that will almost certainly follow.

What do you think?

I've been following, with some interest, the unceremoniously "retirement" of Joe Cuozzo, who, as Head Coach at Ward Melville (Section 11) has Coached more high school lacrosse wins than any coach in the country. After 37 years of coaching he is just 8 wins short of being the first coach ever to win 700 career games as a head coach.

It looks however, at this point, as those Coach Cuozzo won't make it, not because, at 67 he is too old, but because of a kind of bureaucracy that gives bureaucracy a bad name.

Here's the story. Coach Cuozzo retired from his teaching position at the end of the last school year. He was the Department Chair for the Physical Education Department. He expected, like many other coaches, to continue coaching for a few years. It did not take long, however, to see that plan dashed, as Mike Hoppey, who played for Coach Couzzo and coached with him for more than 20 years applied for the Head Coaching job.

At Ward Melville, policy dictated that preference is given to active teachers, and so Athletic Director Don Webster gave him the job and offered Joe Cuozzo an assistant position.

Some people have noted that Ward Melville, who have won 7 NYS championships haven't won one since 2000, and that winning is expected at WM.

Things change, everyone knew that the time would come and that the coach would be replaced and I guess it doesn't matter what the "real" reason for the decision was.

It just doesn't seem that this is the way to treat a person with such incredible history. It would seem the Coach Couzzo has paid more than his fair share of dues and that the proper disposition would have been to let the man "retire" with the respect and appreciation to which he is clearly due.