TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/26/18
From Press Release
Blue Chip 225 is widely recognized as a top recruiting camp with a 20+ year track record of top talent and sidelines crowded with college coaches. Blue Chip 225 further distinguishes itself by including film of every game with registration, making it a great value. ConnectLAX will now get this film and player info in front of college coaches, adding exposure beyond the event for every player.
Blue Chip 225 is run by a former college coach, Ted Spencer, and reflects what college coaches want; one location with fields in close proximity for efficient recruiting along with a critical mass of invite-only talent. The environment is also highly interactive and evening lectures by college coaches help explain the recruiting process and what’s expected in a recruit both on and off the field.
Blue Chip 255 national showcase in Amherst, MA is July 16-18 for 2021s and 2022s and July 17-19 for 2019s and 2020s. Learn more here: http://www.bluechiplax.com/
We spoke with Ted Spencer, the longtime head coach at Fairfield University who was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2014, about his event and tips for players looking at and attending recruiting camps this summer.
1. Blue Chip 225 is one of the longest running and best recognized showcases in the country, what keeps so many players and college coaches coming back year after year?
Spencer: “The experience! Players that attend 225 are trained, coached and instructed by college coaches. This allows the player to build relationships with college coaches at a different level and makes their experience second to none. Our lectures in the evenings by college coaches for the players is also an outstanding way for players to get real time information on the college recruiting process, and what is expected from college coaches on and off the field. Last, Blue Chip 225 offers the player an opportunity to play with other players from 38 states around the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. These relationships can last them a lifetime particularly with the social media aspect of today!”
2. How has the location, venue and format of Blue Chip 225 helped drive its growth, its location is clearly central for a lot of college coaches?
Spencer: “We have been New England based for the last 21 years, first at Fairfield University in CT, then Bryant University in RI and now at UMASS in Western Massachusetts. Blue Chip has always had a strong presence of players from New England, the Tri-State area, upstate NY and the Mid Atlantic states. However, we always have players represented from all over the country. New England in general is a great location for players, parents and coaches to visit in the summer. UMASS has been an exceptional venue because of its proximity to so many places. The University has lots of fields, great facilities in one central location to make it easier for both college coach staff and visiting coaches evaluations. In addition the dining services is rated the top dining facility in the country which makes the experience even better for the players and staff.”
3. Can you tell us a little about your application process and the network of HS and Club coaches you leverage in selecting players to attend?
Spencer: “All players that attend Blue chip 225 receive personal invitations and have to be endorsed by a college, high school or club coach. Our goal has always been to help players move on to the next level whether that be DI, DII, DIII or Club MCLA. By having both an Elite and Varsity Division we are able to accomplish that goal. Elite being for players that project to play at the DI level.”
4. What do you recommend players focus on when preparing for showcases and tips to stay loose while playing in front of a sideline of college coaches?
Spencer: “As we convey in our lectures at night at Blue Chip 225 we like our young men to play hard, be on time, be prepared physically and mentally for each session, show respect to your teammates and coaches and be coachable. As long as they focused on those details they will be fine.”
5. What criteria do you recommend players and parents consider when evaluating which showcases or recruiting events to attend?
Spencer: “There are many great events and much of their choices will be economic. With that said, I recommend that parents and prsopective student-athletes look at the value of an individual showcase like Blue Chip 225, both from a financial investment and from how many coaches attend every year. For instance Blue Chip 225 includes video footage of all your games in the registration price amongst other things. More importantly, the opportunity to interact and be coached by college coaches in a college format environment is something very special that you receive at 225.”
6. What is your favorite thing about our sport? What drew you in? If you could change one thing about our sport, what would it be and why?
Spencer: “I have always been passionate about lacrosse because it is both a team sport but also has an individual flare and component to it. The lacrosse stick is a very personal part of the game and extension of each player who plays the game. The sport combines, speed, strength, agility and mental toughness to be successful and I love that!
“In terms of changing the sport it would be the college recruiting process and early recruiting. Steps have been made to do so and I hope they continue to make progress in this area. The early recruiting really hurt the college game and it made young players and parents think about things that they should not be thinking about at a young age. The most important thing young players should be focusing on at a young age is having fun, loving and honoring the game.”
