The Hill Academy North American Lacrosse Invitational 2011 Champions
Lacrosse fans in the Midwest are familiar with the MSLCA Championship – pitting some of the region’s best teams against each other this weekend in Worthington, Ohio – but a similar event will also take place the following week right here in Michigan. The second annual North American Lacrosse Invitational takes place May 19 and 20 at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
“We kind of follow the model of the Midwest Tournament,” said organizer Hugh Mahler. “This is part of the same idea. You’re bringing in teams that compete on approximately the same level. You want to have that competition, but it’s creating the awareness of the various programs that are in the midwest.”
| Participating teams |
|---|
| Brother Rice (#1 Michigan, #2 Midwest) |
| Loyola Academy (#1 Illinois, #3 Midwest) |
| Culver Academy (#1 Indiana, #4 Midwest) |
| Western Reserve Academy (#16 Ohio, #22 Midwest) |
| Detroit Country Day (#5 Michigan, #51 Midwest) |
| New Trier (#9 Illinois, #63 Midwest) |
| The Hill Academy (#1 Canada) |
| Bishop Timon St. Jude (#3 Western New York, #108 East) |
Bringing exposure to the Midwest is an important part of the mission of the invitational. Although players from the Midwest – including those from Michigan – often go on to college opportunities to play lacrosse, they don’t have the same visibility to college recruiters that East Coast high schoolers do.
Helping Midwest-based players continue their lacrosse careers is not the primary goal of the NALI, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. College coaches from in-state programs, as well as such Division-1 institutions as Hobart, Air Force, and nascent Marquette will be in attendance. So will lower-division coaches, and those from club programs.
“They’re looking out at sophomore and junior years now,” said Mahler. “There’s one kid from Rice that’s already committed who’s a junior [Notre Dame-bound Sergio Perkovic]. As the number of schools are putting in programs that makes it much more competitive for the coaches to find the talent.”
Pooling some of the best talent in the region at one competition allows for easier travel for college coaches – and ultimately many more opportunities for players in the Midwest.
Of course, college attention is nice – and can be life-changing for some players. For the rest, simply getting the national recognition that they believe their high schools deserve can be a big deal.
“The whole intent is being recognized not only on a regional basis, but also on a national basis,” Mahler said. “It’s great for schools that are attending to be recognized for the excellence. I think bringing these kind of schools together gives the kids who are playing a real taste of what it takes to be a better player, and more competitive.
“Because the sports is in many respects still evolving, it’s a great way to bring the higher level of competition to an event where they’re competing.”
The tournament starts at 2:30 Saturday, May 19 at Brother Rice High School. Youth and underclassman game will take place prior to the opening faceoff of the main event.
In last year’s event, The Hill Academy defeated Culver to take home the Red Division, while Brother Rice capture the Blue Division with a victory over Bishop Timon St. Jude.
For more information on the North American Lacrosse Invitational, visit NALAX.org.