Theriault Brings Recruits to Coaches with Summer Camp

KEENE, N.H. 7/20/10 – Once the sole domain of soccer, field hockey, and rugby players, Keene State College’s Sumner Joyce Field was recently taken over by a swarm of helmeted and stick-bearing lacrosse players. 

The 300-plus high school-aged players descended on the field to attend the Elite-180 Lacrosse Camp, a recruiting camp that exposes potential prospects to a highly selective group of college coaches.

Keene State coach Mark Theriault began the camp seven years ago as a way to recruit players on his own campus. “A lot of camps were cropping up all over the country, so I thought I’d give it a shot,” said Theriault, who has seen camp attendance grow every year. “Instead of traveling all over the area looking at players, I bring the recruits right to my doorstep.”

Campers come from all over the country.  Although New England was well represented, there were 10 players from California, a few from Colorado and Michigan, and a busload of 60 that came from Long Island.

Several current Keene State players, including Griffin Meehan and Sean LeBlanc, serve as counselors and game officials. “It definitely brings back a lot of memories," said LeBlanc, who attended the camp while playing at Simsbury (Conn.) High. “It was exciting going through the recruiting process.”

LeBlanc says he’s constantly asked questions by the campers, who are novices to the recruiting ritual. “We’re a little bit more approachable than a college coach, so players appreciate the time you spend with them,” he said.   

Motivated to impress the coaches that line the fields, the players take part in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. The spirited games allow coaches the opportunity to focus in on players who might be candidates for their programs. 

To help coaches with their selection process, Theriault provides them with a profile book that contains names, numbers, and contact information. Meanwhile, coaches, who come from schools ranging from the Ivy League's Harvard and Yale to NESCAC programs including Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury, work diligently on the sidelines with notebooks and cameras in hand. 

According to Theriault, the Elite-180 camp has several things in its favor, including its size and location. Unlike a lot of camps that have a multitude of players spread over vast fields, Elite-180 at Keene State limits its numbers and utilizes four easily accessible fields.

The learning doesn’t end when the sticks and balls are put away for the night. Following the last session of the day, players and coaches get together for informational talks. One night the dean of admissions from Amherst College spoke about the competitiveness of applying to a NESCAC school. The next, a college coaches’ panel explained what they are looking for, so the players can improve their chances of earning a sought-after scholarship or spot on a squad.

The success of the men’s camp spurred a women's program that runs the following week on the KSC campus.

Campers have gone on to play at Maryland, Johns Hopkins, and Ivy League schools like Dartmouth, Yale, and Princeton. While he might not get the pick of the litter, Theriault has also fared well in recruiting campers for his program. In addition to current Owls Meehan and LeBlanc, former KSC standouts Ryan Hazelton and Matt Johnson were also Elite-180 graduates.

Theriault has good reason to be very proud of the camp's development. “I think we found our niche,” he said. “We have a very relaxed environment.  The players work very hard, but at the same time have an opportunity to strut their stuff and create an opportunity by showcasing their skills in front of coaches who can have a direct affect on their future.”