Lacrosse Then vs. Now: Have We Sacrificed Balance for Specialization?

Back in high school, 1990. Lacrosse wasn’t just a sport; it was an obsession, an all-consuming fixation that occupied every spare thought. But I didn’t play it year-round like the kids today, with their off-season teams and endless tournaments. No, my seasons had variety. In the fall, I played football for two years, then switched to soccer for two more. Winter was a mixed bag—one season of basketball, then three of winter track, a grudging concession to getting in shape for lacrosse season. Summers weren’t for showcases or training camps; they were for lifeguarding, being a camp counselor, or getting shipped off to foreign countries by well-meaning parents who thought I should see the world.

But through it all, lacrosse was the constant. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I had a stick in my hands, fixing pockets, hitting the wall. I found walls everywhere. That was my training. Not some carefully curated elite travel experience, just a kid, a stick, and a wall. The truth is, I didn’t play nearly as much lacrosse as the kids today. But my life was full, a mosaic of sports, work, travel, and the kind of experiences that stretch you in ways competition never could.

I still played in college. Could a kid today follow that same path? I doubt it. The system doesn’t allow for it. There’s no room for wandering, for picking up an instrument, for working a summer job that teaches you more about life than any travel team ever could. Today’s kids are expected to play one sport endlessly, maybe two if they’re “well-rounded.” But true balance—true depth—is lost.

Lacrosse has evolved, and today’s generation is expected to specialize earlier, train harder, and dedicate every ounce of free time to improvement. The pressure to make a name for oneself starts as early as middle school, with club teams, recruiting camps, and private lessons. Parents pour thousands of dollars into their child’s development, hoping for a coveted spot on a college team. But what does that really mean for these kids? Do they even love the sport anymore, or is it just an obligation—a means to an end?

When I played, the offseason was just that—an offseason. I didn’t spend my summer weekends traveling to out-of-state tournaments or attending elite showcases. I spent them working, meeting new people, and developing a sense of independence. My game wasn’t polished by trainers in expensive facilities; it was forged on the wall, in pickup games, and in moments of unstructured play where creativity thrived. And yet, despite playing fewer organized games, I still made it to the collegiate level. Could today’s kids do the same?

Maybe I could have been a better player if I had committed the way they do now. Maybe I could’ve been “elite.” But would it have mattered? Was there ever really a career to be had in lacrosse? Only a select few ever make a living playing professionally, and even then, it's a short-lived career. College scholarships aren’t as abundant as some might think, and for many, the pursuit of a roster spot comes at the cost of experiences that shape them beyond the field.

We tell kids that lacrosse builds character, but what kind of character are we fostering when they are shielded from failure and insulated from the broader world? True growth happens when you face adversity, when you step outside your comfort zone, when you learn to balance your passion with real-life responsibilities. Are we doing them a disservice by making lacrosse their entire identity?

When I talk to young players today, I see a mix of excitement and exhaustion. They love the game, but they’re constantly being evaluated, measured, and ranked. They don’t play for the joy of it—they play for exposure, for status, for the next level. And I have to wonder: is this really what lacrosse is supposed to be about?

I had a life. And that life made me who I am. I wouldn’t trade it for all the club teams and scouting showcases in the world.

So, what do you think? Is today’s path truly better, or have we lost something along the way?