By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 1/13/20

Kyle Rolley says getting noticed at high-level recruiting events and tournaments in Texas was a major benefit to his college search.

“It is a huge benefit to be able to attend these local events when college coaches come to town. Since we are in a non-traditional market, it is great to get this high level of exposure,” said Rolley, a 2021 goalie at the Episcopal School of Dallas. “Since there are so many great athletes in Texas, it is an opportunity to stand out and be remembered as the ‘Texas Player’ when we travel and play at northeast lacrosse events.”

Rolley recently committed to play Division I lacrosse at NCAA powerhouse Syracuse. A club player for the Texas Mustangs, Iron Horse (TX) as well as the Rising Sons (PA), he said meeting Syracuse coach John Desko as a middle school player during a clinic at the Victory Events’ Texas Draw tournament was very inspiring. This introduction factored into his decision to choose Syracuse years later.

“I remember getting to work with him (Desko) at a clinic and got a feel as to his personality and coaching style. Knowing this when I went up there for my visit was very helpful.”

Rolley is thankful that Victory Events has been running showcases, clinics and tournaments in Texas for years. He has played in the Texas Draw (summer event) and Cowboy Cup (fall) and also has competed in two Beast of the East Showcases through Victory Events in the Philly region.

“I think the Victory events are very important to Texas lacrosse,” said Rolley. “They are able to get big time schools such as Villanova, Maryland and Syracuse down here.

“These events help grow the game. These tournaments also taught me how to fight through adversity because they were very competitive.”

This summer’s Texas Draw – for high school, middle school and youth teams – is slated for June 6-7 at Russell Creek Park in Plano. Also, on June 5, Victory holds its annual TXD Elite 150 Showcase at nearby Carpenter Park in Plano. Also on June 5, Victory holds the TXD Elite Rising for the top rising freshmen in the South East. Lastly, on June 6, Victory offers clinics coached by D1 coaches for participants in the showcases and tourney.

Click here to learn more about the Texas Draw and TXD Elite Showcase or to register – https://victoryeventseries.com/texas-draw/

Having elite opportunities to play and be coached by elite coaches is a draw for players like Rolley, who thanked Iron Horse director and Dallas Jesuit coach Chris Surran (former Syracuse national champion) for settling in Texas to help build lacrosse.

“Being able to drive a car to play in front of these coaches (here in Texas) is a lot easier and less expensive than having to travel,” Rolley said. “I think it starts with college coaches coming to Texas to grow the game and training players here.

“Texas breeds a lot of athletes and if college coaches saw that you could turn the athleticism into lacrosse players – you get the full package. We owe thanks to Texas players that went to big colleges – like Colby Kneese (Highland Park, Penn State), Ryan Darby (Plano West, Johns Hopkins) and Dan Morris (Dallas Jesuit, Maryland) – and others who played at top programs and showed the potential of Texas players.”

Why did Rolley choose Syracuse?

“Obviously, Syracuse is a very accomplished lacrosse program with 11 National titles – the most of any NCAA program,” he said. “I was honored to receive a call from coach Rogers. When I came up to visit and learned about the business program, met the coaching staff and players and saw the facilities, it was very impressive. I loved the campus and appreciated how Syracuse does such amazing things for its student athletes.”