A Cant-Miss Showcase
In mid-January, one would likely assume a conversation about schools such as Duke, Syracuse, Michigan and Notre Dame would be about the growing anticipation of March Madness.
However, on a mid-January weekend in Randolph, New Jersey, the talk about these institutions centered around lacrosse at the Nike Elite 120 Showcase.
In just its third year, this event has become one of the biggest recruiting weekends in girls lacrosse and it is easy to see why.
It is a first-class operation from start to finish. The flawlessly run event efficiently allows players to display their talents in two marathon-like days of non-stop action.
Perhaps the best reflection the weekends success is personified by the coaches in attendance from the top programs in the country. 84 coaches representing 72 schools yes, 72 were on hand to watch the best girls lacrosse players from the 2015 and 2016 classes.
The invitation-only event brings some of the best girls lacrosse players in the country together for two days of competition. It begins with combine testing facilitated by the renowned Parisi Speed School where players are timed in the 40-yard dash, the 5-10-5 shuttle run, and the 300-yard shuttle run.
After the testing, games are played for the remainder of the showcase, allowing each player to compete and display their talent in front of coaches from the top-ranked programs in the country.
With so many recruiting events, what separates Nike Elite 120 from the many others?
First and foremost, participation is by invitation only, ensuring the competition is top-notch. The skill level on display was something to behold and is a direct result of the selection process.
Second, the testing aspect allows coaches to compare skill on the field with the results from the timed running sessions, performed by all of the athletes under the same conditions to begin the weekend. While the coaches cannot watch the testing (an NCAA no-no), they are provided the results to accompany their game observation.
Third, the Indoor Sports Pavilion is a state-of-the-art facility, with two full-sized turf fields separated by an enclosed observation area for parents and family. This allows the coaches evaluating on the sidelines and the players on the field to focus only on the game with limited distraction. In addition, the indoor aspect allows the weekend in January to be free of completion from other events, ensuring maximum exposure to the coaching community.
From the parents in the viewing area to the coaches on the sidelines, nothing but positive reaction was overheard, and the lacrosse on display was beyond impressive.
The skill level, of course, was notable. But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the completion was how much effort was put forth, and how teams that had played together for all of 36-hours displayed camaraderie and sportsmanship.
It would be a travesty not to recognize the events directors Charlie Shoulberg and Mike Walsh for their tireless efforts. Their work behind the scenes to put forth such an impressive weekend is not lost on us, and their positive and upbeat attitude throughout the event was infectious.
The Nike Elite 120 is a must-attend event for players looking to be recruited and coaches who want to see some of the best lacrosse talent in the country.