By The Lax Addict

Perusing the message boards, I was again gifted with a topic on which to rant.  It seems that one of the newest teams needs a coach.  No big deal right?  Lots of guys out there can coach, just hire one.  Not so simple.  University’s rules prohibit club sports from paying coaches.  It’s “The Man” keeping us down.  Generally speaking, if MCLA teams intend to do anything beyond stewing in their own mediocrity, they need a coach who is more than just some guy that shows up to run the sidelines.

Successful teams in the MCLA share a common denominator: stability of coaching.  Coaching is the ingredient most crucial to team success.  Therefore, the limits that some schools have placed on their club sports i.e. prohibiting the payment of coaches, has a direct effect how successful that team might be in achieving its goals for the season.  That’s a no-brainer.  There are as yet undiscovered tribes in the jungles of South America that know this to be true.  Attitude reflects leadership, and attitude is everything.

So all of you upon whom fate has bestowed this situation, rejoice.  Here’s the best chance you will have in the blur that will become your college career to take it to the next level and it is laid at your feet.  Pick it up and be the guy that leaves the organization better than it was when he found it.

The Chinese character for crisis is the same as the one for opportunity. 

Instead of chafing under the rules put in place for the Kickball club or the Ultimate Frisbee club, dare to define your team in more professional terms.  Challenge your administration to guide you.  Redefine your school’s use of the word “club” where it pertains to Lacrosse.  How do we do this you ask?  No worries, LA has your back.  The road will not be easy.  It will not be painless.  You will need to decide up front if the end result is worth it.  If not, see my previous rant about the NCLL. If so, buckle down and get to work, because this will set the tone for how everything works from here on out.

Make sure your team is of the same mind about what it will take to kick it up a notch or three.  Make an appointment for the team administrative leadership (not the Captains) to meet with your club sports director.  Before the meeting, scour the bylaws and guidelines of the club sports, recreational department, and even the Athletic Department to the point where you can converse intelligently on the subject.  You are also looking for any loopholes or statutes that might support your efforts as well as any other policies that may need to be overcome.

The next part is very important.  Do not use this meeting as a platform to attack the policies that are in your way.  Instead, ask for alternatives, present your own ideas for exceptions to policy, or simply educate your administration as to the level of organization.  Instruct them on what is involved just to be a member in the MCLA.  Discuss the efforts at organization, budgeting, and plans for the future.  Let them know that your club is different because your guys are willing to pay dues, fundraise, and do so many other things beyond just paying tuition, to represent the school on a national level.  Let that sink in, especially if your school has a very developed athletics program.  You want to outline your plans and you want to tie in your financial and organizational needs going forward.  Chief among these needs should be a dedicated coaching staff.  You get the idea.  Get comfortable making your “pitch” to whoever will listen.  If someone on the team is good with Powerpoint, get them involved.  Show the Administration that your organization is worthy of an exception.  You are not asking for money.  You are asking for a chance to better represent their organization.  Asking for money comes later, after you deliver on your promises.  Do not stop.  Do not hesitate.  Do not alter your course until you get what your organization is after.  The set your next goal and achieve it the same way.  The team will benefit as much from the effort to achieve its goals as it will from the achievements themselves.  Good luck, enjoy the ride.  Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.

Plan B

-LA

The Lax addict will rant on CollegeLAX on a regular basis this season.  There will be no rhyme or reason.  Ever.  (If you are interested in blogging on CollegeLAX this season, please contact the web site.)

This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 8:05 am and is filed under Blogs, Other Lacrosse News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.