College recruiting was in full swing at the Best In The West showcase in San Francisco last month. Over 30 men’s college lacrosse coaches attended to see one hundred and forty players in action first-hand.
Held at Sacred Heart near Palo Alto, the event featured a solid representation of top Western talent from the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 age groups. Chris Rotelli, recipient of the 2003 Tewaaraton Award, hosted the event with his team at ADVNC Lacrosse. Former UVA head coach Dom Starsia co-directed. Warrior and New Balance supported it with free product for participants and the Warp on display.
The result was a first-class college recruiting experience for coaches and student athletes alike. Parents appeared to enjoy themselves, too, as they took in the scenes on Sacred Heart’s beautiful campus.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Best In The West Recruiting Showcase and get a look behind-the-scenes. Chris invited me to tag along with the coaches throughout the entire event, and it was a great experience from multiple angles. Of course you know I took my camera with me!
The following photo blog illustrates my Best In The West experience…
For yours truly, it all started with a 5am wake up call. Followed by an early morning drive to PDX, and a short flight to San Francisco on Friday, July 21st:
I started booking my Lyft ride as soon as the plane touched down at SFO, and ~30 minutes later I was rolling up to the nicest parochial school campus I’d ever seen in my life. As I got out of the car, I could hear whistles blowing somewhere beyond the trees.
There I was a couple hundred feet later. A fly on the wall amongst college coaches who traveled to the event from all over the United States.
Rotelli briefed everyone on the day ahead, and it was go-time. Here’s what Friday’s schedule looked like:
- 8:30am to 9:30am – Check-in at Palatella Stadium
- 9:30am to 11:30am – Session 1: Training session with college coaches
- 11:30am to 1:00pm – Lunch break at the Dutch Goose
- 1:00pm to 4:00pm – Session 2: Games
Kids were pumped to be there, and it was clear. I enjoyed speaking with players from a few local schools and group of guys from Sacramento who are also a part of the ADVNC program. Naturally, most of them mentioned their excitement about the opportunity to play in front of Division I coaches. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of jealously because there was nothing available like this out West when I was a kid.
The coaches came our firing with intensity from the the get-go. There was no holding back. They were direct with players at all times, and thanks the number of coaches involved, there was no shortage of valuable one-on-one instruction happening off to the side. These shots from the morning training session are courtesy ADVNC Lacrosse:
It was inspiring to witness coaches like Shawn Nadelen (Towson), Jon Torpey (High Point) and Marc Van Arsdale (Loyola) do their thing. Their love for the game shined.
Coaches checking out the Warp:
There was a common stance throughout the day and I had to notice it. Remind you of a certain logo, does it?
These players worked hard and represented their programs with class:
After a hot day in the sun, it was time to hit the showers and head down by the Bay to watch the San Francisco Giants play. When Chris Rotelli organizes your transportation, you know you’re going to show up in style:
The game went late into extra innings. Then it was time to get some shuteye for Saturday. The schedule for July 22:
- 9:00am to 11:00am – Session 1: Training session
- 11:00am to 1:00pm – Lunch break
- 1:00pm to 5:00pm – Session 2: Games
The 2018 Best In The West is already set for July 18-19!
