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If you've found yourself wondering what
you don't know about the collegiate recruiting process, the NEXT
STEP EXPERIENCE is for you! We've seen and heard it all and know
just how much ISN'T covered when families and players navigate the
recruiting process. We were frustrated with how much was being
left out, how important information wasn't available or
presented, and how little confidence players and families had
when making one of the most important and impactful decisions
for their future. So we decided to do something about it!
The NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE is specifically designed to
provide EDUCATION and EXPOSURE for
players and families about how to successfully identify which
colleges will meet their family needs, how to go about
communicating with collegiate staff, how to get noticed, how to
stay on a coach's short list, perhaps most importantly what NOT
to do, and so much more! All of it is practical. All of it is
applicable. All of it is meant to help YOU!
The NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE is broken into several unique
phases:
First, Players PLAY!
Players will have plenty of time to
showcase their abilities in front of college coaches in a high
rep, no stress, short field, small roster setting. Players will
be broken up by grad year but from there, it's completely in
their hands! Coaches want to see so much more than just talent
and ability. Leadership, communication skills, sideline
presence, personality...it's all important! This setting is
ideal to let everything about YOU come through! What do players
consistently tell us about this style of play? Simple..."IT'S
FUN!"
Parents - Begin at the field then
prepare to learn!
Families start by getting to see their players get started on the field and see for
yourselves the kind of action that will be going on in front of
the coaches!
Families will then step away from
the field to receive unmatched information from the Director of
Next Step Lacrosse! Topics have included: How to
identify the right fit for your player, Criteria that often gets
overlooked in a selection process, Empowering players and
families to control their process, Timelines and order of
importance, and so much more! The Director of Next Step Lacrosse
has helped hundreds families find the perfect collegiate fit.
It's both educational and inspirational and is meant to give
families actionable steps to take with them and build ownership
of the entire recruiting process.
At the conclusion of the Director's presentation, families will have
the opportunity to interact with a college coach for valuable
insight and for a no limits
Information and Question/Answer session. The coach will share unfiltered
information on what to expect, what to look out for, and how to
make smart decisions PLUS will take any and all questions you
may have! This information that has the power to enlighten,
educate, and help make the recruiting journey less of a mystery.
Families Rejoin Their
Players!
Families are
once again welcome to head to the field to see their players
wind down their on field experience!
Final Wrap Up
Families along
with their players are addressed by the event director to wrap
things up and suggest actionable next steps that can be taken to
move a stalled or just initiated recruiting journey along.
College coaches will also have an opportunity to speak with
players and families at the end of the event to share
information on campus events or to set up future contacts.
*NOTE: Each college coach may be governed by unique compliance
requirements so they may not be able to interact personally with
a given player. Player interaction is left up to each coach.
How do we make the NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE even better? We
limit the number of families attending so that no one gets lost
in the crowd and everyone has the opportunity to benefit! A
limited number of families will
have this opportunity and it WILL sell out! Do not wait because
our least favorite thing to do is to tell families that they
won't be able to attend!
While the NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE is targeted to girls
lacrosse players who are rising high school
juniors and seniors, a limited number of spots will be available
for lower grade members who are looking to get a jump on their
collegiate journey. Recruiting restrictions may limit the
ability of college coaches to interact with lower grade member
players even though they will be able to freely observe their
playing. Of course the information presented applies to all
players and families! |
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Below are just some of the colleges who have
committed to attend the NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE in
2023. We are grateful for these college programs and all
those who have attended in the past who support our
mission of providing the best opportunities to the
players and families who attend our event! In addition
to inviting these programs to attend this and future
events, we will be adding new programs as well! We
constantly update this list as we move forward. These colleges and universities
represent REAL opportunities, REAL experiences, and REAL
benefits for student athletes. You may be surprised by
where you may find YOUR NEXT STEP! |
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Ave Maria University |
Averett University |
Bethany College |
Brevard College |
Chowan University |
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Coker University |
Converse University |
Davis and Elkins College |
Earlham College |
Eastern Mennonite University |
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Emmanuel College |
Emory and Henry College |
Erskine College |
Frostburg State University |
Goucher College |
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Hollins
University |
Huntingdon College |
Lander University |
Lees McRae College |
Life University |
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Limestone University |
Lincoln Memorial University |
Mars Hill University |
Meredith College |
Montreat College |
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Muskingum University |
Newberry College |
NC Wesleyan University |
North
Greenville University |
Oglethorpe University |
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Ohio Northern University |
Pfeiffer University |
Piedmont University |
Roanoke
College |
Savannah College of Art and Design |
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Shorter University |
Spalding University |
St. Andrews University |
Southern Wesleyan University |
Thiel College |
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Transylvania University |
Truitt McConnell University |
Tusculum University |
University of Mount Olive |
University of the Cumberlands |
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Warner University |
Warren Wilson College |
Waynesburg
University |
William Peace University |
Wingate University |
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Sunday January 15, 2023
from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Gates Open at 12:00
noon) |
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UPWARD STAR CENTER,
Spartanburg, SC. (more details below) |
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Registration is just $215.00 |
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Any girls lacrosse high school player
who is either certain or thinks they may want to
play at the collegiate level. |
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Registration for the January 15, 2023
event is now CLOSED as we have sold out. If you were not
lucky enough to attend this event, there is still space
at our July 23, 2023 event. You can register for that
event by following
HERE. NOTE: It's the same great event with
fantastic colleges but it is held at a different
location noted on that event page. |
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The
JANUARY 2023 NEXT
STEP EXPERIENCE will be held at the Upward Star
Center. The venue features both artificial and
natural turf playing surfaces, plentiful
parking, and countless nearby options for meals
and lodging.
The address of the Upward Star Center is:
9768 Warren H Abernathy Hwy.
Spartanburg, SC 29301
Here is a Google Maps Link to the facility:
UPWARD STAR CENTER |
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Players will need to
bring all of their
equipment to include:
Stick, Goggles, and
Mouth Guard. Players
should wear footwear
appropriate for athletic
activities on a
natural and turf
grass surface
(we highly recommend
cleats). Players should
also bring a water
bottle with enough water
to stay hydrated during
an active lacrosse
session. Players and
families may also find
it of great benefit to
bring a notebook to
record any thoughts or
insight they have during
the presentation
sections.
Please come dressed for
conditions at the time
of the event. This time
of year, conditions can
vary widely so please
plan accordingly. |
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Please plan to arrive
early enough to sign in. We
will begin promptly at
the listed times. Players
should plan to be fully
dressed and equipped at
the listed time for the
on field portion of the
event.
Only registered players
will be permitted on the
playing surface during
the event.
We encourage parents and
family members to attend
the on field portion and observe their
players but
please keep aware of
your surroundings.
Lacrosse can be a very
fast paced activity and
thrown balls have been
known to stray from
their intended targets.
If you have any
questions about where a
safe viewing location
can be found at the
venue, simply ask any of
the staff in attendance.
All of the facilities we
utilize are tobacco,
alcohol, JUUL, e-cigarette / vape, and drug free
venues.
We love four
legged members of the
family but please DO
NOT
bring any pets to the
facility. This is as
much for their safety as
it is for that of our
players. An obvious
exception is made for
service animals. |
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Once payment is received, no
refunds will be issued.
Event registration fees may not
be carried forward to any future
event and are only used for the
event for which they were
collected unless the event must
be rescheduled due to local,
state, or federal restrictions
due to COVID-19.
Please keep these policies in
mind when deciding to register. |
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The health and safety of
players, parents, and staff are paramount to our event.
As such, ALL local, state, and federal guidelines will
be implemented and adhered to for the entire duration of
the event. Beyond those guidelines, we ask the
following:
1) If you or a member of your family are experiencing
ANY signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of the
event, or have been exposed to someone who is
experiencing ANY signs or symptoms of COVID-19 PLEASE DO
NOT ATTEND.
2) Please be respectful of those around you by
maintaining social distancing as appropriate and by
wearing face coverings when 6 feet of distance cannot be
maintained. At this time face coverings are not mandated
and it is left up to personal choice to decide to wear
them or not. We respect each individual to make the
choice that is in their best interest.
3) In the unexpected case that the NEXT STEP EXPERIENCE
is required to be canceled due to local, state, or
federal COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be
rescheduled for the earliest possible date. Registered
players and families will have their registration
advanced to that event. Staff members will be in touch
with each registrant to communicate all necessary
information and details of new event information.
4) We fully expect to be able to hold a safe event. As
guidelines continue to evolve in the coming weeks and
months, we will also adapt the event experience in
accordance with local, state, and federal as well as
venue specific COVID-19 guidelines. ALL REGISTRANTS,
FAMILY, AND ATTENDEES ASSUME ALL RISK SHOULD THEY DECIDE
TO ATTEND. Attending the event indicates assumption of
this risk. Should the registrant, family, or attendee
have any questions about the assumption of risk, please
communicate with the event staff PRIOR or registering.
5) As information, guidelines, and best practices change
prior to the event, the event staff reserves the right
to amend these policies either by reducing or
eliminating policies or by increasing or adding
additional policies. |
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All events are assumed to be
held as scheduled unless direct
notification is made through this
website. In the case of
inclement weather, every attempt
will be made to hold the event
as scheduled.
Event organizers reserve the
right to modify, amend, or
otherwise alter the event to fit
the conditions at the time of
the event to include coaching or
staff changes.
Event organizers reserve the
right to cancel or reschedule an
event in its entirety for
reasons of safety, field
conditions, under the direction
of the facility staff, or at the
discretion of the event staff.
If possible an alternate date,
time, and location will be
scheduled. Registrants unable to
attend the alternate date will
be offered an event credit to be used toward a
future event.
Please keep these policies in
mind when deciding to register. |
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These comments come directly
from players like you and families like yours! We are fully committed to building
the most impactful events possible but hearing it from those
who have been in the past only confirms that this event
delivers! These are just from our MOST RECENT NEXT STEP
events! |
-So I don't know how to say
this but I am amazed by what I didn't know. Your event gave
me more in 3 hours than I have gotten in 5 years. To say it
was worth our time doesn't begin to cover it!
-I had high expectations coming into the event but those
were blown away by what you presented. We have a lot of
ground to cover going forward but now we have a plan and
more importantly, we have confidence.
-What parent wants to sit down with their child and not have
the answers? What you've provided is beyond helpful.
-As we started our ride home, the car was very quiet because
we were shocked by how little we actually knew before your
event. Once we started talking about what you presented, we
couldn't stop and the conversation lasted all the way home
and into the evening. We covered topics we would have never
thought to bring up if it hadn't been for you. Thank you is
too small for what you've given us.
-The content, format, delivery, and depth of knowledge of
this event is unlike ANYTHING we've experienced. We will be
recommending to everyone we know to get their spot for your
next event. It's that important!
-It's not often I find myself surprised but you did it! You
took complex and difficult topics and made them easy to
understand so that I can return to them with my child as we
go forward. And you did it without making anyone feel like
they were behind or should be ashamed for not knowing such
valuable information.
-WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? This is the information families need!
I am beyond happy that we attended! We'll be working on what
you presented as soon as we get home!
-I have invested countless hours and too many dollars
chasing what "everyone" said we needed to help our daughter
be successful in her quest to be recruited. Not one time
have I heard what I heard here today. Not one time have I
been given what you shared today. Not one time have I left
an event and had an actual conversation with my daughter
about what we heard until today. You are doing it right and
more should follow your lead.
-If I could make one suggestion, you need to record this and
put it on the internet! People need to hear what you are
saying and benefit from your guidance. As a family who has
traveled every summer and fall for the last 8 years to all
the big events, recruiting showcases, and recruiting events,
we've never come across what you presented today. We can't
say thank you enough and we can't wait to come back! |
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Please reach out to us with any
questions or if we can be of help in any way! |
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Copyright 2006-2023© |
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