FAQ

What is Hero’s Tournament Lacrosse Club?

HTLC is an outgrowth of Hero’s of Howard County, an organization founded by PJ Kesmodel. Hero’s of Howard County runs a summer lacrosse league for high school aged girls. During the late 1990’s, Hero’s sponsored one or more girls’ Hero’s All-Star teams that played in summer lacrosse tournaments.

With the recent explosion in growth of women’s lacrosse, the number of tournaments began to increase, as did their importance in the process of college recruitment. In December of 2001, a group of interested volunteers met with the officers of Hero’s of Howard County and decided to use HTLC as the organization to select and sponsor the Hero’s All-Stars tournament teams. Although HTLC is a separate organization, we retain a close connection with Hero’s of Howard County, as evidenced by PJ’s presence on our board. HTLC is organized as a not for profit corporation incorporated in the state of Maryland.

What are the goals of HTLC?

As most parents are aware, the admission process for college is highly competitive, and athletic prowess is a means by which a young lady can enhance her chances of admission to the college she selects. Because of the high quality of play in the Baltimore area, women’s lacrosse coaches often recruit in our region for players. The goal of HTLC is to provide the opportunity for area players to gain valuable game experience and skills by playing against top competition in national level lacrosse tournaments, thereby providing the opportunity to be seen by and gain exposure to these college coaches.

HTLC feels that this goal is best met by having lacrosse be one part of a player’s high school experience, and not the sole focus of her life. Competing in other high school sports, meeting the demands of high school course loads, and having free time to spend with family and friends is often more important in shaping a player’s character than in just playing lacrosse year round. HTLC emphasizes the ability of a player to lead a balanced life, and our experience tells us that colleges appreciate the well rounded student-athlete. For additional explanation, please read the information about required tournament play, below.

How is the money collected from the players used?

HTLC charges players for (1) an administrative fee, and (2) tournament participation. The administrative fee pays for uniforms, insurance and overhead expenses. The tournament fees pay for entry fees and other associated costs for the various tournaments in which we play. We do not charge any profit in our fees. No one in HTLC is paid a salary, although coaches receive a per diem amount to cover their expenses for travel. All of the board members and coaches serve on a volunteer basis.

Are players required to play in all of the tournaments?

Our philosophy at HTLC is that more is not always better. We try to keep in mind that our players and their families need time away from lacrosse to ensure that they do not “burn out”. Many of our players participate in other sports, which we strongly encourage for the cross-training it provides. We are also mindful that athlete’s bodies need time to rest. Finally, we believe that during the school year our players’ first loyalty is to their school teams.

We play in a limited number of tournaments and other events that provide the most exposure to the college coaches. NCAA recruiting regulations limit the number of times college coaches can view a player, so we select the tournaments entered to maximize exposure, but still ensure an enjoyable number of absences defeat the purpose of being a member of the HTLC teams.

How successful has this program been?

Success is measured in many ways - in the won-loss records of our teams, in the high percentage of players who commit to top Division I programs, and in the congenial, supportive atmosphere enjoyed by players and parents. You may find elsewhere on this web site the information regarding seasonal wins, recognition of players with local awards and as US Lacrosse All-Americans, and college choices. We believe the camaraderie shared among teammates and across team lines sets us apart from larger organizations.

Is anyone eligible to try out?

All girls entering grades 6 through 12 are eligible to try out. We do not discriminate based on your geographic residence, your high school, your past club affiliations or your years of experience. In the 2005 season, HTLC rosters included players from over 20 different high schools. Those players lived in Howard, Carroll and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City.

With the exception of our youngest team, we require that players try out for their graduation year team, even if they have been playing up in their recreation league program. Also, the tournaments in which we play require that each rostered player be a member of US Lacrosse, for tournament insurance purposes. We therefore require that all girls be members of US Lacrosse to be eligible to try out. US Lacrosse membership information is available at www.uslacrosse.org.

How are tryouts conducted?

Tryouts are held on an annual basis. Currently tryouts are being held in the month of November. This allows us to settle our rosters in time to register for the summer tournaments and allows the players to have the spring time to focus on their high school team. Ordinarily tryouts will be held outdoors. In case of inclement weather, tryouts may be moved indoors. Selections are made by the coaches, and no more than two age groups are run concurrently so that all coaches may assist in evaluating each age group’s team. Among the factors on which players are evaluated are speed, athletic ability, strength, stick skills and scrimmage play. All girls who attend tryouts will be notified of the results shortly after tryouts are complete. Decision of the coaches is final.

If you are ill or injured at the time of tryouts, please contact the coach for your prospective team. Email links for all head coaches are on the Contacts page of this site.

How do I register to try out?

Registration details will be posted on this site well as distributed in mailings. Please do not send any money with the registration form. Hero’s does not charge a fee for trying out. All fees will be collected from once the teams are selected.

The dates, times and location of tryouts, as well as directions to the site, will remain accessible on our web site. A confirmation of receipt of your registration will not be sent, nor will any reminder of tryout time or location, although you will be personally notified of changes due to weather or other unforeseen events.