Spring Break
UMass and Penn State to join Drexel lacrosse in CAA
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 7/11/08 Section: Sports
I mean, it seems a given that if a recruit had to choose Penn State or Drexel they would head to College Park without a second thought.
Bates seemed to confirm that notion.
"Penn State has so many great resources," he said. "It's a great school academically and for athletics. If a kid is looking for that we're not gonna win that recruiting battle."
But even though that might be the case, Drexel does benefit.
Penn State and UMass are coming in, while bottom-feeders Villanova, Stony Brook and Robert Morris are heading out-and that should put the CAA behind only the ACC, Big East and Ivy League amongst the top conferences-top to bottom-in the nation.
Bates made a parallel to college basketball to get his point across.
"In college basketball you look at a kid and say he's an ACC player," Bates said. "We hope the same applies in our case."
And when you add two elite teams of this caliber, it allows you to expand your recruiting horizons.
Also, having UMass and Penn State in the conference last year certainly would've helped the strength of schedule, which was one of the downfalls in the Dragons just missing out on the tournament.
Overall, while Drexel will risk becoming middle of the pack in the CAA and might not be the most attractive destination in the conference for potential recruits, it will have the opportunity to showcase its program in one of the best conferences in all of collegiate men's lacrosse.
And that's why the pros outweigh the cons.
Thanks, coach.
Bates seemed to confirm that notion.
"Penn State has so many great resources," he said. "It's a great school academically and for athletics. If a kid is looking for that we're not gonna win that recruiting battle."
But even though that might be the case, Drexel does benefit.
Penn State and UMass are coming in, while bottom-feeders Villanova, Stony Brook and Robert Morris are heading out-and that should put the CAA behind only the ACC, Big East and Ivy League amongst the top conferences-top to bottom-in the nation.
Bates made a parallel to college basketball to get his point across.
"In college basketball you look at a kid and say he's an ACC player," Bates said. "We hope the same applies in our case."
And when you add two elite teams of this caliber, it allows you to expand your recruiting horizons.
Also, having UMass and Penn State in the conference last year certainly would've helped the strength of schedule, which was one of the downfalls in the Dragons just missing out on the tournament.
Overall, while Drexel will risk becoming middle of the pack in the CAA and might not be the most attractive destination in the conference for potential recruits, it will have the opportunity to showcase its program in one of the best conferences in all of collegiate men's lacrosse.
And that's why the pros outweigh the cons.
Thanks, coach.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ben
posted 7/14/08 @ 7:18 PM EST
Drexel needs to build a new field for the LAX team closer to campus. Its a pain to watch a game off campus. PSU will get all our recruits until we build a field near campus with a skyline view of Philadelphia. (Continued…)
Salvia Divinorum
posted 7/29/08 @ 5:13 PM EST
Hey Drexel Lacrosse is one of the best teams on the east coast, I wouldnt even want to mess with them, but in the end the PSU guys will end up with the better team taking all our recruits. (Continued…)
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