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!

  
 
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!  
Ave Maria University Averett University Bethany College Brevard College Chowan University
Coker University Converse University Davis and Elkins College Earlham College Eastern Mennonite University
Emmanuel College Emory and Henry College Erskine College Frostburg State University Goucher College
Hollins University Huntingdon College Lander University Lees McRae College Life University
Limestone University Lincoln Memorial University Mars Hill University Meredith College Montreat College
Muskingum University Newberry College NC Wesleyan University North Greenville University Oglethorpe University
Ohio Northern University Pfeiffer University Piedmont University Roanoke College Savannah College of Art and Design
Shorter University Spalding University St. Andrews University Southern Wesleyan University Thiel College
Transylvania University Truitt McConnell University Tusculum University University of Mount Olive University of the Cumberlands
Warner University Warren Wilson College Waynesburg University William Peace University Wingate University
 
 
Sunday January 15, 2023 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Gates Open at 12:00 noon)
UPWARD STAR CENTER, Spartanburg, SC. (more details below)
Registration is just $215.00
Any girls lacrosse high school player who is either certain or thinks they may want to play at the collegiate level.
 
 
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.
 
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
 
 
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
 
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.
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.
 
 
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!
 
 
Please reach out to us with any questions or if we can be of help in any way!
ecody@nextsteplacrosse.com    
 
 

Copyright 2006-2023©