Vandal Lacrosse Family – new year AND NEW SEASON greetings!
Spring is here and we get to play lacrosse! We are excited to be back in action (after nearly two years off) and to compete this season with an amazing group of young men. We have five familiar faces who chose to stick around and help rebuild our program, and eleven new Vandals – a new team with a new perspective going forward! The core group has been incredibly committed since arriving on campus in August. Even with a small roster, our expectations are high this year given the leadership and excitement of our new players. Every player will bring something special to the field and we can’t wait to showcase all of them this season!
As of this season, we chose to move to PNCLL Division 2 in order to compete with teams more similar in size and skill to us. With this move, we anticipate higher player retention each season, which will make for an overall more enjoyable Vandal Lacrosse experience.
GAME SCHEDULE
The start of the season will be challenging with six away games in three weekends to test us early. After that demanding stretch, we’ll have two weeks without games, including a week off for Spring Break so the guys can enjoy time with their families. When we return, we’ll have four more games (the last three at home) in consecutive weekends to finish up our season. You can view the whole schedule here! (Note: University of Puget Sound 3/26 game still to be posted). We’ll also email any last minute game changes, if necessary.
Our season begins with President’s Day weekend road trip to Boise area to play NNU in Nampa on Friday; C of I on Saturday; and U of Utah’s MCLA D-II team on Sunday, both games being at Simplot Stadium in Caldwell. This three-game weekend will give the team a good opportunity to find their groove and be ready for the next two weekends of conference play against WWU in Bellingham and CWU in Ellensburg, and UM in Missoula. After Spring Break, we’ll take our final road trip to play PSU in Tacoma. Then, we’re home to
host three-in-a-row: WSU, OSU (Parents’/Family Weekend), and BSU, our final scheduled game of the season, and our senior recognition game. That date will also be our annual season team banquet after the game, so be sure to reserve April 16 on your calendar - more details to come.
Help! We’ll need a few volunteers for all our games: a stat keeper to record our team’s stats and a spotter to assist; and additionally for home games, a timekeeper and shot clock operator. If you did any of these in high school, PLEASE volunteer. Email me if you are willing to help us out.
On Saturday, Feb. 19 sometime after the game, we want to provide the chance for everyone to meet face to-face – and to encourage a few of you to take on an open position on the Board. Details of the get together will be announced when finalized.
So all you fans, start making your travel plans! I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. Note: we host OSU on Family Weekend so I advise you to book your lodging NOW.
PLAYER DUES
Individualized invoices for player dues were emailed on January 1st to players and to parents for which we have email addresses. Travel expenses (transportation, lodging and meals) are inclusive in player dues, and dues account for the majority of the club’s income. We cannot incur any travel expenses before dues are collected. To ensure that we will be able to travel for games, it is VITAL that dues are paid by JANUARY 27 or we cannot make firm travel plans and could very well have to forfeit scheduled away games and possibly the season. Regrettably, the club does not have extra funds to float individuals who do not pay their portion of travel expenses, thus players with unpaid dues cannot travel. And with a smaller roster, players not paying dues can put the entire team at risk of not playing at all. Payment arrangements may be considered in certain situations.
FUNDRAISING
We strive to keep player dues affordable and in many cases charge less than other teams in the league. Fundraising helps us to cover unexpected costs, potential post-season play and provide an overall better team/player experience.
Hopefully you are aware of our recently released ‘Be a Road Trip Hero’ fundraising campaign, which focuses on our need for travel funds with the goal being $10,000. Because of this spring season’s imbalance of away vs. home games, team travel costs will be higher than usual. PLEASE share our appeal to ‘be a road trip hero’ with everyone you know, as well as with businesses that might be interested in supporting the club as a sponsor. All donations are tax deductible as the tax laws of a 501(c)(3) organization allow.
So far, we want to gratefully thank Road Trip Heroes who have donated $2,375! We also set up a GoFundMe page to reach a wider audience and have received $770. You can click "Donate Now" above to help support our goal! All monetary or in-kind support is greatly appreciated by the team!
GO VANDALS!
Colton Raichl, Head Coach
University of Idaho Lacrosse Club
Be Brave and Bold
