We were fortunate to catch up with Ashley Gersuk, Kevin Leveille and George Leveille, Directors of the Northstar Invitational. The event which is held for 150 athletes selected across graduation years 2015, 2016, 2017 is one of the premier stops on the girls summer circuit.
The Directors have quite an impressive background. Ashley Gersuk was a member of Northwestern Universitys inaugural recruiting class in 2001-2005. While a member of the Wildcats, she was a 4-Year Captain, the 2004 ALC Goalie of the Year, an All-American, and a 2005 NCAA National Champion. Kevin Leveille is a graduate of UMass-Amherst, where he was a 3-time All-American selection. Kevin is currently a member of the Rochester Rattlers of the MLL. He has played in the league since 2003, and is a 5-time All-Star, a 2008 All-League selection and a member of the MLL 10-Year Anniversary Team. George Leveille brings both knowledge and experience as a player, coach, lacrosse parent and administrator since the early 1970s.
The Northstar Invitational will be held July 28-31, 2013 at the Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York.
Below is our Q&A with Ashley, Kevin and George, who discuss how they partnered to start the event, how the event evolved and what distinguishes it from others.
Ashley, you are the president of WomensLax.com. What does that organization do to help grow the game?
Ashley: WomensLax.com is a sports management and marketing organization, which operates lacrosse camps, tournaments, club teams, and events nationally. We provide industry-leading instruction, unique events, and extensive coverage of the game. The goal is to spread our passion and knowledge of lacrosse to youth and high school athletes around the country. I wholeheartedly believe that sports empower young girls, develop them into greater individuals, confident leaders, and position them strongly for success across all facets of life. We have access to the games top coaches and most prolific collegiate players, and we aim to provide the highest quality service to young girls who strive to be the best lacrosse players they can be.
Kevin and George, you are part of a company called Lake Placid Lacrosse. What is the company involved with exactly?
George: Operating lacrosse events in Lake Placid and the Albany New York area,
Lake Placid Lacrosse is a company I formed in 1990 to be the organizer of a mens lacrosse tournament in Lake Placid, New York. The event has since grown to include about 230 teams ranging in age from U-15 to 52-over. The Northstar Invitational, which we operate in partnership with WomensLax.com, is a scholastic girls invitation only recruiting camp that debuted in 2012 at the prestigious Northwood School in Lake Placid.
Kevin: LPL is a company based around running lacrosse events in Lake Placid. Our long-standing LP Summit Lacrosse Tournament is headed into its 24th year and is one of if not the biggest post-collegiate and high school tournaments in the world.
Why did you create the Northstar Invitational, and how did it evolve?
Ashley: There was clear demand for a premier invite-only camp on the womens side. The model has been very successful on the mens side, and has provided an opportunity for hundreds of young men to showcase their talents in front of college coaches, and ultimately segue into an opportunity to play at the next level. It was time for the same opportunity on the womens side. We were approached by Lake Placid Lacrosse, and together we brought Northstar to fruition last year.
George: An old friend of mine, Jake Reed, has run the Blue Chip Scholastic Boys invitational camp for many years and my son Michael attended one of the early camps and raved about the format. It seemed time that a similar camp could be produced for scholastic girls so we approached our friends at WomensLax.com about working together at our favorite venue, Lake Placid. With the Olympic tradition of Lake Placid and its great destination attributes, we thought we would be successful in attracting top student athletes as well as college coaches to spend a few days of quality recruiting in a great place.
Kevin: We were throwing around ideas for another event in Lake Placid. We thought that a natural addition would be a boys high school recruiting event due to our connections and the importance of running a quality recruiting camp. But, there was a lot going already on the boys side and it hit me to go with girls. It seemed like a perfect fit, based on our great relationship with WomensLax.com, their reputability in the girls market, and our experience operating high quality events in Lake Placid.
What is the goal of the Northstar Invitational?
Ashley: Put simply, the goal of the Northstar Invitational is continue to develop the sports premier recruiting opportunity for the very best high school athletes, who are on track to become the very best collegiate lacrosse players.
What do you think sets your event apart from others?
Ashley: The concentrated level of talent; the acute attention of college coaches who will have the opportunity to focus on our athletes in a uniquely structured format; the first-class experience provided to Northstar athletes; and LAKE PLACID!
George: The fact that the camp is invitation-only based on a nationally-trusted referral network that we have established means that the talent pool is guaranteed to be at the highest possible level, and athletes will have the opportunity to compete with and against the best girls in the country. This also makes recruiting very efficient for college coaches and the fact that it is all taking place in Lake Placid only adds to the differentiation of our camp. When a girl indicates that she was a Northstar participant, she will be recognized as a top player, worthy of recruiting attention. Because we are national in scope, we also expect to provide exposure for girls who are from emerging and lightly recruited areas of the country.
Kevin: Northstar is properly formatted for the players, as well as the coaches, to really give the best opportunity for exposure. We have limited the total number to 150 for a reason. Our mix of performance testing, small-sided game sets, and full games give players many different venues to demonstrate their skills. Conversely, coaches are able to focus on the players, and to look for specific characteristics in specific situations. Players compete amongst the best in the country. In 2012, we had players from almost 30 states. The competition level is high and provides each girl with a taste of what the college game will be like. We also offer a college recruiting session, a sports psychologist, and great guest speakers, which include Olympic athletes! Aside from everything mentioned above, we offer a truly professional experience. Ive been a part of the US National Mens Team and have played professionally. We aim to replicate that specific attention to detail to our players because they deserve it. I dont think weve left anything uncovered and weve got some special things up our sleeves.
What aspects of the inaugural camp last year were you most excited to see play out?
Ashley: I have been around so many lacrosse camps, tournaments, and teams over the years, but the idea of only 150 athletes from the very upper echelon of high school lacrosse such a concentrated level of talent, representing high schools and club teams from all across the United States and Canada was incredibly exciting. It was a great feeling to look around and think, Wow, these kids are legit.
George: Like any new event, we were excited to get the girls to camp and on the field doing what they do best. It was exciting to host college coaches from many of the best programs in the country, and to speak with a number of parents on the sidelines, visibly proud of their daughters who are among the best scholastic players in the country.
Kevin: It was incredibly exciting to see the whole event in action – outstanding play on the fields, many of the top college coaches in the country, the outstanding landscape of Lake Placid and the Adirondacks as our background for everything. It was a great first year, a win/win for all involved, especially our athletes, and we look forward to building on the first Invitational.
Why Lake Placid?
Ashley: Lake Placid is one of the greatest towns in America nowhere else can you find the natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, coupled with one of the most historic international sports venues in the country. I grew up playing hockey games on the same ice as the 1980 Miracle on Ice; its a magical place. To this day, some of the worlds best athletes compete and train in Lake Placid, and I cant think of a better place to build the unique Northstar Invitational.
George: Lake Placid has been a major part of the Leveille family for many, many years. Every time were there, its like the first time in terms of the excitement we feel. The views, the great weather, the lakes and mountains, a walk along Main St., a visit to an Olympic site it is just a very special place. The fact that we have been able to enjoy lacrosse there only adds to the overall quality of the Lake Placid experience.
Kevin: My father started the LP Summit Lacrosse Tournament back in 1990 and around that time my family was fortunate enough to purchase a second home up there. To say weve spent a lot of time up there is an understatement. I think athletes enjoy the simplicity of Lake Placid. Everything is really close and its a stress-free environment. Players love the weather and temperature, as well as the beautiful Northwood School and its accommodations. The parents have a great scene to watch their daughters play but also are just minutes from shopping, restaurants, hiking, boating, and Olympic attractions.
We thank Ashley, Kevin and George for their time, and are very excited to cover the event come late-July!