What is the mission of the National All Star Games. How does this event impact lacrosse talent identification. Why are academic standards crucial for Nationals players. How did the inaugural event overcome COVID-19 challenges. What makes the National All Star Games unique in the lacrosse community.
The Vision and Mission of National All Star Games
The National All Star Games is not just another lacrosse event. It’s a revolutionary approach to identifying and nurturing top lacrosse talent across the United States. The mission of this prestigious event is twofold:
- To identify a pool of elite players in each graduation year for potential selection to National Teams
- To provide high-level training that enhances the development of student-athletes at the highest level
This unique approach ensures that the cream of the crop in American lacrosse is not only identified but also given the opportunity to hone their skills further. But what sets the National All Star Games apart from other recruiting events?
The Nationals Player: More Than Just Skill
A Nationals player is not selected solely based on lacrosse talent and skill sets. The organization places equal importance on character and personal integrity. Players are expected to embody high moral values, representing not only the Nationals organization but also their families, schools, churches, and communities.
This holistic approach to player selection creates a community of athletes who are committed to excellence both on and off the field. How does this commitment manifest?
- Players pledge themselves to a higher accountability
- They strive to be better people than they are players
- They represent all aspects of their lacrosse experience, including tradition, sportsmanship, and community
Academic Excellence: The Cornerstone of Nationals Lacrosse
In the world of Nationals lacrosse, academic achievement is not an afterthought—it’s a prerequisite. The organization firmly believes that all-star players must also be all-star students. But why is this academic standard so crucial?
Maintaining the role of a student-athlete requires intense effort both in practice and in the classroom. Balancing athletic and academic pursuits demands constant attention and dedication. To be eligible for the depth chart, all Nationals student-athletes must maintain a high academic standard.
This emphasis on academics serves multiple purposes:
- It ensures that players are well-rounded individuals
- It prepares athletes for success beyond their lacrosse careers
- It instills discipline and time management skills
- It aligns with the values of top collegiate programs
The Code of Conduct: Shaping Leaders On and Off the Field
Being a Nationals player comes with great responsibility. These athletes are held to a higher standard because they are viewed as role models, leaders, mentors, and representatives of Nationals Lacrosse. But what does this mean in practice?
The code of conduct for Nationals players encompasses several key areas:
- Sportsmanship: Players are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times
- Integrity: Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable traits for Nationals athletes
- Leadership: Players are encouraged to lead by example, both on and off the field
- Accountability: Attendance at all practices, exhibition games, and tournaments is mandatory
This strict code of conduct ensures that Nationals players are not just exceptional athletes, but also exemplary individuals who can make a positive impact in their communities.
The Inaugural Event: Overcoming Unprecedented Challenges
The first annual National All Star Games in 2020 faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for July, the event underwent numerous changes, including date adjustments, location shifts, and tryout alterations. Despite these obstacles, the inaugural event was a resounding success. But how did the organizers manage to pull it off?
The key to the event’s success lay in the unwavering commitment of the national lacrosse community. Ryan McClernan, the founder of the National All Star Games, attributes the triumph to several factors:
- Flexibility and support from the lacrosse community
- Outstanding efforts from regional partners in connecting with coaches and lacrosse leaders
- A hybrid tryout-invitation model adapted to local public health conditions
- Dedication to promoting players from various regions
The result? More than 800 players from 32 states and the District of Columbia participated in a lacrosse-filled weekend, featuring 77 games across three classes to crown champions.
A Unique Platform for Talent Showcase
The National All Star Games provides a one-of-a-kind platform for the nation’s top lacrosse talent to showcase their skills. But what makes this event so special?
Unlike typical summer tournament circuits, the National All Star Games brings together players from every corner of the growing American lacrosse scene. This unique setup creates intriguing dynamics:
- Friends become rivals
- Rivals become teammates
- The best players test themselves against equally talented competitors
- Athletes face opponents they might not ordinarily encounter
This diverse mix of talent not only provides an exciting spectacle for spectators but also offers invaluable experience for the players themselves. It pushes them out of their comfort zones and encourages growth both as athletes and individuals.
The Impact on College Recruitment
The National All Star Games has quickly established itself as a premier event for college recruitment. The 2020 event featured players from the Classes of 2021 and 2022 who were already committed to top college programs, as well as talented 2023s poised to follow in their footsteps. But how does this event benefit college recruiters?
For college coaches and scouts, the National All Star Games offers several advantages:
- A concentrated pool of elite talent in one location
- The opportunity to see players perform against top-tier competition
- A chance to evaluate athletes’ adaptability and teamwork skills
- The ability to identify emerging talent from underrepresented regions
This event essentially serves as a one-stop shop for college recruiters, allowing them to efficiently scout and evaluate a wide range of top-tier talent.
The Future of National All Star Games
Despite the challenges faced in its inaugural year, the National All Star Games has laid a solid foundation for future success. The event has proven its ability to adapt and thrive even in the face of unprecedented obstacles. So, what can we expect from future iterations of this event?
As the National All Star Games continues to evolve, we can anticipate several developments:
- Expansion to include more regions and players
- Enhanced training programs for selected athletes
- Stronger partnerships with college programs and professional leagues
- Increased media coverage and exposure for participating players
- Potential international collaborations to showcase American lacrosse talent globally
The success of the inaugural event, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, demonstrates the resilience and dedication of the lacrosse community. It also highlights the need for such a platform to identify and nurture top talent from across the nation.
Fostering a National Lacrosse Community
Beyond its role in talent identification and development, the National All Star Games serves a crucial function in fostering a sense of national lacrosse community. By bringing together players, coaches, and families from across the country, the event creates connections and relationships that extend far beyond the field.
These connections can lead to:
- Knowledge sharing between different lacrosse communities
- Cross-pollination of playing styles and strategies
- Increased camaraderie among players from different regions
- A stronger, more unified national lacrosse identity
As the event grows and evolves, it has the potential to become a cornerstone of the American lacrosse calendar, eagerly anticipated by players, coaches, and fans alike.
Elevating the Sport of Lacrosse
The National All Star Games is not just about identifying individual talent; it’s about elevating the sport of lacrosse as a whole. By showcasing the highest level of youth lacrosse talent, the event helps to:
- Increase public interest in the sport
- Attract potential sponsors and investors
- Inspire younger players to strive for excellence
- Provide a model for other lacrosse events and organizations
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity across the United States, events like the National All Star Games play a crucial role in maintaining the sport’s momentum and ensuring its long-term success.
The Role of Technology in Future Events
As the National All Star Games looks to the future, technology is likely to play an increasingly important role. From player evaluation to event management, technological innovations could enhance various aspects of the event:
- Advanced analytics for player performance tracking
- Virtual reality training sessions for selected players
- Live streaming capabilities to reach a global audience
- AI-powered scouting tools for college recruiters
- Digital platforms for year-round player development and community engagement
By embracing technology, the National All Star Games can continue to innovate and provide unparalleled opportunities for young lacrosse players across the nation.
Expanding the Impact Beyond the Field
While the primary focus of the National All Star Games is on lacrosse, its impact extends far beyond the field. The event’s emphasis on academic excellence, personal integrity, and community involvement helps shape well-rounded individuals who can make positive contributions to society.
Future iterations of the event could further expand this impact by:
- Incorporating community service projects for participating players
- Offering leadership development workshops
- Providing mentorship programs that pair players with successful alumni
- Collaborating with educational institutions to offer academic enrichment opportunities
By focusing on holistic development, the National All Star Games can play a crucial role in nurturing not just great athletes, but great citizens.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As with any ambitious endeavor, the National All Star Games will face its share of challenges in the coming years. However, each challenge also presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. Some potential hurdles and opportunities include:
- Challenge: Maintaining the high standard of talent as the event grows
Opportunity: Develop more sophisticated scouting and evaluation methods - Challenge: Balancing regional representation with overall talent level
Opportunity: Implement a tiered system that provides opportunities for players at various skill levels - Challenge: Managing the logistical complexities of a large-scale national event
Opportunity: Leverage technology and partnerships to streamline operations - Challenge: Adapting to the evolving landscape of youth sports and college recruitment
Opportunity: Stay at the forefront of industry trends and actively shape the future of lacrosse
By proactively addressing these challenges and seizing the accompanying opportunities, the National All Star Games can continue to grow and thrive, cementing its position as a cornerstone event in the American lacrosse calendar.
The Legacy of National All Star Games
As the National All Star Games continues to evolve and grow, it has the potential to leave a lasting legacy on the sport of lacrosse. This legacy could manifest in several ways:
- Producing a new generation of lacrosse stars who credit the event for their development
- Establishing a gold standard for youth lacrosse events nationwide
- Contributing to the growth and popularity of lacrosse in underrepresented regions
- Fostering a culture of excellence, both on and off the field, within the lacrosse community
- Serving as a model for other sports looking to develop national talent identification programs
By staying true to its mission and values while adapting to the changing landscape of youth sports, the National All Star Games is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of lacrosse in America and beyond.
About
Our Mission
Our mission is to identify a pool of players in each graduation year from which a National Team will be selected for national competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of student-athletes at the highest level.
Mission Statement
We are a special group of people and players. Each player is Hand Picked and Selected for both his Lacrosse Talent and Skills Sets as well as WHO he is as a PERSON. A Nationals player is an Individual of High Moral Integrity representing the Values not only of our Nationals Organization but also those of his Family, School, Church and Community.
Being a Member of the Nationals asks players to Pledge themselves to a Higher Accountability that Demands they be a Better Person than they are a player through example and a standard of conduct at all times.
A Nationals player Represents all aspects of his Lacrosse Experience including Tradition, Sportsmanship, Community and so much more. He must be willing to Live up to this Mission Statement in Deed and Thoughts and let it Guide him as a player and person.
He must be willing to Challenge himself IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE FIELD even when he doesn’t think it’s possible so he can ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE with his GRADES and ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE in his PLAY while always reaching Inwardly for a Deep Reservoir of HEART and DETERMINATION to Guide him.
A PRIVILEGED MEMBER
Your membership on a Nationals team is considered a privilege, not a right. You are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, honesty and integrity at all times.
ACADEMIC STANDARD
Maintaining the role of student-athlete requires intense effort – both in practice and in the classroom./https/www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/lacrosse/2020/09/16/were-the-underdogs-how-the-iroquois-nationals-took-their-rightful-place-in-lacrosses-world-games-with-a-heartfelt-assist-from-the-irish/iroquois_nationals.jpg)
Balancing both your athletic and academic efforts requires constant attention on your part.
All Nationals student-athletes MUST maintain a high academic standard to acquire depth chart eligibility. “All-Star players must be All-Star students!”
CONDUCT
As a student-athlete you are held to a higher standard because you are looked upon as a role model, leader, mentor and representative of Nationals Lacrosse. “All-Star players must also be All-Star people!”
ACCOUNTABILITY
All players & parents must be accountable to attend all practices, exhibition games & tournaments. If accountability becomes a problem then the player will fall on the depth chart.
2020 Event Recap – National All Star Games
The idea that took root last fall was simple in conception if complex in execution: A lacrosse tournament that brought together the best players in the nation, from every corner of the growing American lacrosse scene, to represent their regions.
Friends would become rivals, rivals would become teammates, the best would test themselves against the best, against players they might not ordinarily see in the summer tournament circuit.
Jacob Pacheco, 2023
All that was before anyone knew what COVID-19 was, before date changes, location changes, tryout alterations, before lockdowns and social distancing.
Despite all those obstacles and thanks to a monumental effort from partners across the country, the first annual National All-Star Games completed a successful first installment last week, bringing more than 800 players from 32 states plus the District of Columbia to Maryland for a lacrosse-filled weekend, a one-of-a-kind tournament of 77 games in three classes to crown champions.
The tournament, originally scheduled for July and undergoing several (including one last-minute) venue changes, was a testament to the devotion of the national lacrosse community, says National All-Star Games founder Ryan McClernan.
“It was a logistical challenge, with date changes and location changes and the stress and planning that goes into it as you’re watching quarantine status in different states and COVID numbers for months and months,” McClernan says.
“I feel a deep appreciation for the community that did support us and their flexibility in believing in and supporting this first-year venture. The regional partners’ ability to connect with club coaches, high school coaches and lacrosse leaders in their communities was outstanding, and it allowed us to identify a wide range of players. Their commitment to promoting the players in their regions was truly special.”
The changes wrought by COVID-19 led to deviations from the original plan in many respects. Originally, tryouts had been scheduled in each of 14 regions, starting in February. Some went ahead, but others turned to a hybrid tryout-invitation model as local public health conditions mandated.
The central mission, though, remained steady. Despite the on-the-fly changes, the best of the best still made it to Maryland, with players in the Classes of 2021 and 2022 committed to a who’s who of top college programs, and plenty of talented 2023s sure to follow once their recruitment opens.
Jackie Weller, 2023
From powerhouse clubs with a dozen or more participants to smaller clubs with just one or two reps, the Games were all about getting as many elite players as possible. Along the way, new friendships were formed and old ones solidified.
“The friendship that is typical of our sport is different than some other sports,” said McClernan, who founded Baltimore Crabs more than 30 years ago. “The camaraderie across regions, the players that know each other from camps or showcases or events, there’s so much cross-pollination in the lacrosse world. And the National All-Star Games is proud to be a part of that landscape.”
The competition on the field at Carsin’s Run presented the first slate of champions, with DMV taking the 2021 and 2023 titles and Maryland earning the 2022 championship. A few of the standouts from the tournament (Information is Player, Region, Position (High School/Club program or programs/College commitment if applicable)):
Flight tickets La Crosse – Kruger National Park.
Prices on Tickets.kg
Cheap flights from La Crosse to Kruger National Park
Want to get the lowest price on flights from La Crosse to Kruger National Park? We compare prices of La Crosse – Kruger National Park direct flights and flights with stopovers among 750 airlines and agencies. Why waste your time searching if there is a more convenient opportunity to take advantage of discounts, promotions and sales of low-cost airlines via the Internet. With the help of the full schedule of flights La Crosse — Kruger National Park you will quickly find the desired flight option, check the days of flights and the availability of tickets for a specific date.
For an online purchase or booking, you need to decide on only a few points: type of flight, number of passengers, class and date of departure and arrival. Then proceed to pay for the ticket, and the deal will be done. You will receive an email with order information.
Airfare La Crosse – Kruger National Park
How much does a plane ticket to Kruger National Park from La Crosse cost and how to buy it cheaper? We have several recommendations taken from the calendar of the best prices for flights on this route:
1) Pricing depends on the month of departure, we advise you to book first and business class in advance.
Buying an economy class ticket is also not worth delaying – do it 2-4 months in advance.
2) The cheapest flights LSE – QKP are available on Wednesday and Thursday. As a rule, they are more expensive on weekends.
3) It is more profitable to buy tickets in both directions at once than to go back and forth separately.
Useful information before booking your travel from La Crosse to Kruger National Park
On our service you can find out:
- Distance and duration of the flight (how long is the flight from La Crosse to Kruger National Park?)
- Which airlines fly direct to Kruger National Park from La Crosse
- Which airlines provide the cheapest tickets from La Crosse to Kruger National Park
- How long is the flight from La Crosse to Kruger National Park
- Airports to fly to Kruger National Park from La Crosse
How far is La Crosse from Kruger National Park?
There are 10107 km from Kruger National Park to La Crosse.
