Talent Consolidation and "Destination" Teams

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

For 99% of the players, getting into college is their measure of success. So the answer to your question is a question: How can MPS be as successful as Scorps or Stars with college with less wins and losses?

Because at the end of the day what matters is the capability of the player not how many state tournaments their team won. It's about what they can/cant' do. Certainly playing on higher level teams gets the kids more exposure and more opportunities to show themselves and what they can do, but in the end it's what they can do.

I am wondering how we know MPS is as or more successful with colleges? This is a sincere question. The program is so much bigger that sheer numbers of college players can't be the right way to make a comparison - percentages would make more sense. Any ideas?

Percentages don't provide a fair basis of comparison for clubs with substantial numbers of "B" teams.

Total numbers per age group is a fair comparison.

Sometimes a kid learns and improves more being a key player on a slightly lower team than being a middle to lower tier player on a SC winner.

Perhaps MPS keeps their talent spread, and doesn't combine them as an earlier guest suggested, for exactly this reason. Oh yeah, and the income too. ;)

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

For 99% of the players, getting into college is their measure of success. So the answer to your question is a question: How can MPS be as successful as Scorps or Stars with college with less wins and losses?

Because at the end of the day what matters is the capability of the player not how many state tournaments their team won. It's about what they can/cant' do. Certainly playing on higher level teams gets the kids more exposure and more opportunities to show themselves and what they can do, but in the end it's what they can do.

Exactly right.

A poster suggested why pay more for MPS with less success, obviously based on the wins/losses....sounds like that poster lost site of what this is about. Paying for wins and losses....interesting.

So what makes a Club a destinaton Club? What explains MPS as a destination Club? Their record doesn't do it and NOBODY will agree that their coaching is any better, so why do people go there and pay more money for less success?

For 99% of the players, getting into college is their measure of success. So the answer to your question is a question: How can MPS be as successful as Scorps or Stars with college with less wins and losses?

Because at the end of the day what matters is the capability of the player not how many state tournaments their team won. It's about what they can/cant' do. Certainly playing on higher level teams gets the kids more exposure and more opportunities to show themselves and what they can do, but in the end it's what they can do.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college

Keep drinking that MPS Koolaid

[Cujo]

2008 DESTINATION TEAMS

u14B BOLTS u14G STARS
u15B BLAST u15G STARS
u16B BOLTS u16G STARS
u17B BOLTS u17G STARS

I don't know that I'd call the boys 15 Blast a "destination" team. It takes more than a state cup win to become a destination team. The team has been inconsistent, playing brilliantly at times, and poorly at others. And their coach certainly doesn't come across as someone many parents and kids feel they have to have. The club has become virtually non-existent in most other age groups, and there's no real ties to a credible college program anymore (the Tufts afilliation is gone).

The other clubs mentioned all have good coaches across all age groups, have competitive teams across most age groups, a history of playing in better competitions across most age groups, and a pattern of development starting at the youngest age groups. Those are all things that drive players to them.

The "Tufts" affiliation was of very little value to Blast/Lightning. The Tufts coaches from other sports did everything they could to intimidate and make life miserable for girls and boys aged 10 to 16. I can't count the number of times the baseball coach screamed at an 10 year old girl because their soccer ball rolled "near" the baseball field. So many restrictions were placed on practice and game field use that you were lucky to get one practice a week and 2 games per year at the Tufts fields. As a coach you have to find your own fields. When Ralph was sick and not able to counter the efforts of the Field Hockey, Baseball, and other coaches from Tufts things were even worse. It was one of many reasons that I pulled my daughter out of the club after 4 years. Nothing is worse than watching a 45 year old male bully a 10 year old girl. The baseball coach was the biggest asshat of them all. I do have to say though that I thought the Lightning / Blast coaches were generally very good, esp at the older ages.

No Tom Mitch = No Good Program

Yes Tom Mitch was very good and the best at Lightning but not the only one.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college

Keep drinking that MPS Koolaid

Hmmm....I'm looking but I don't see where the letters MPS are in my post....I'll go on the assumption that you're just an @ss.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college

Keep drinking that MPS Koolaid

Keep drinking that Scrops/Stars and think otherwise.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college

Keep drinking that MPS Koolaid

Keep drinking that Scrops/Stars and think otherwise.

You forgot to say 'koolaid' but a great comeback regardless.

This is interesting. Quite often kids not on these "higher level teams" end up on the same teams as those that came from a "higher level team" once at college

Keep drinking that MPS Koolaid

Keep drinking that Scrops/Stars and think otherwise.

You forgot to say 'koolaid' but a great comeback regardless.

Percentages don't provide a fair basis of comparison for clubs with substantial numbers of "B" teams.

Amazing that these "B" team players are playing with your superstars.

Oh yeah, and the income too. ;)

Yup, that's right....nice cars and everything!

Percentages don't provide a fair basis of comparison for clubs with substantial numbers of "B" teams.

Amazing that these "B" team players are playing with your superstars.

Oh yeah, and the income too. ;)

Yup, that's right....nice cars and everything!

Dream on Dreamweaver.

Percentages don't provide a fair basis of comparison for clubs with substantial numbers of "B" teams.

Amazing that these "B" team players are playing with your superstars.

Oh yeah, and the income too. ;)

Yup, that's right....nice cars and everything!

Dream on Dreamweaver.

Your next paycheck is coming, don't worry.

your childs next club is coming,don't worry, she'll still sit on the bench.