LaxPower Back-Up Stick

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:05 pm Can someone give me an idea of the level of play in the PAC? Maybe in comparison to the NCAC or the OAC? I have a son looking to play in college and there are some PAC schools with majors he may be interested in. Thanks!

River Donkey wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:18 pm

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:05 pm Can someone give me an idea of the level of play in the PAC? Maybe in comparison to the NCAC or the OAC? I have a son looking to play in college and there are some PAC schools with majors he may be interested in. Thanks!

PAC is more OAC level. NCAC is a pretty tough conference.

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 9:32 am

River Donkey wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:18 pm

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:05 pm Can someone give me an idea of the level of play in the PAC? Maybe in comparison to the NCAC or the OAC? I have a son looking to play in college and there are some PAC schools with majors he may be interested in. Thanks!

PAC is more OAC level. NCAC is a pretty tough conference.

Thanks. That was what I thought. I assume that like the OAC, the level of competitiveness varies with the PAC schools?

Switzerland wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 9:40 am

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 9:32 am

River Donkey wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:18 pm

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:05 pm Can someone give me an idea of the level of play in the PAC? Maybe in comparison to the NCAC or the OAC? I have a son looking to play in college and there are some PAC schools with majors he may be interested in. Thanks!

PAC is more OAC level. NCAC is a pretty tough conference.

Thanks. That was what I thought. I assume that like the OAC, the level of competitiveness varies with the PAC schools?

You could also argue that you are probably increasing the level of academic rigor(on aggregate) from conferences as you go from PAC to OAC to NCAC. Still, all of the schools in those leagues are different, and you need to find the best academic/financial/social/etc. fit for your son.

OHLaxDad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:05 pm Can someone give me an idea of the level of play in the PAC? Maybe in comparison to the NCAC or the OAC? I have a son looking to play in college and there are some PAC schools with majors he may be interested in. Thanks!

payday wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:44 pm I’d say that the competitiveness of each of these conferences varies greatly from top to bottom within the conference, but the competition and enthusiasm level for lacrosse at these Midwest schools is on the rise. One thing that will be difficult to account for right now is the effect the pandemic will have on these teams and their respective schools/athletic departments.

My take:

The NCAC is probably viewed as the strongest, mostly because its top two teams, Denison and OWU, have historically played a national schedule and had long-term success. Hard to argue that those two teams haven’t been the best in this region for a long, long time. However, taking nothing away from Kenyon and Wooster (both good quality programs), I haven’t seen the remaining schools in the NCAC compete consistently at the level of the top two or perform significantly better than many of their OAC and PAC counterparts.

The OAC is a younger (but no longer young) conference that is very competitive and has continued to improve significantly every year. It’s led by John Carroll, with Capital, B-W, ONU and Otterbein each being quite good as well. Their annual conference tournament is a dogfight. I believe the OAC has closed or largely closed the perceived gap between the NCAC (other than Denison) and itself.

The PAC only formed a league for lacrosse starting with the 2019 season after splitting up the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference, so it is relatively young. Grove City, although one of the leagues newest varsity programs, has quickly risen to the top of the conference with talent from across the country and plays an increasingly difficult OOC schedule (last year defeating Eastern power Coast Guard). Also, St. Vincent, Chatham and Westminster, have proven themselves to be good quality, rising programs that can and will compete favorably. Due to its youth, the PAC is playing a little catch-up, but is moving up quickly and has the athletic resources and commitment to sustain the sport’s growth. It would be unwise to underestimate its prospects in the near term.

As to academic strength, to each his own opinion. The strengths of the individual majors matter. Excellence is rarely found across the board. There are quite a few excellent academic institutions in each conference. I’d suggest you look beyond US NWR and other “objective” rankings and consider the experience and influences that are best for your son for both 4 and 40 years. You can find a very high quality, competitive lacrosse experience in any of these conferences. Making it fit with the desired academics is always the key. Coaching and financial commitment to the lacrosse programs should not be overlooked.

I wish you the best of luck with this decision.

DQKing wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 8:22 am For this being only their 4th (?) year in D3 Grove City is certainly impressive.