Elite vs Select — How to Choose

The short version

Elite is our top team — the strongest players who train year-round, travel more, and play in front of college coaches at out-of-region tournaments. Select is a Fall/Summer track on a regional schedule, designed for competitive players who want high-level lacrosse without a year-round travel commitment.

Some of the strongest players in our program intentionally choose Select because the year-round schedule doesn’t fit their multi-sport calendar or family life right now. That’s a feature of the pathway, not a downgrade.

Side-by-side

Tuition is approximate — final pricing is based on roster numbers. See the Tuition & Plans page for the full calculator and payment plan details.

When Elite is the right call

• He’s one of the strongest players in his class. Elite is built for players who can train and compete at the top level — roster spots are earned at tryouts and reviewed every season.
• Year-round lacrosse fits the calendar. Multi-sport athletes can absolutely succeed at Elite — plenty of our Elite players also play football, basketball, or another varsity sport. The Elite calendar is designed to coexist with a second sport, not block one out.
• College lacrosse is the goal. The out-of-region tournaments and national showcases on the Elite calendar put him in front of more college coaches across more programs.
• The family can commit to the travel. More out-of-region tournaments mean more hotels, more flights, more weekends. Honest conversation about whether that fits your life right now.

When Select is the right call

• He wants competitive travel lacrosse on a Fall/Summer rhythm. Same coaching, same standards — just without the year-round travel commitment.
• He’s a strong player whose calendar is full. We invite players to Elite every year who choose Select instead because of football, basketball, hockey, baseball, swimming, or other serious commitments. That choice doesn’t make them less of a player — they’re still on the same coaches and the same recruiting radar.
• The family wants regional tournaments. Most Select events are in the Carolinas, Virginia, and the Southeast — less out-of-region travel, fewer hotel weekends.
• He’s recruitable from Select. Select players commit to college lacrosse every year. The recruiting staff works the same network for both tracks. It is not a “non-recruiting” track.

The most common mistakes families make

1. Choosing Elite when the family isn’t ready for the travel

Tuition is the visible cost. Family travel — hotels, flights, gas, meals across more out-of-region weekends — is often the bigger one. If the travel calendar is going to create resentment or burn out the parents, Select is the better path. Players develop best when their family is bought in.

2. Assuming a multi-sport athlete can’t play Elite

Multi-sport athletes are some of our best Elite players. The Elite calendar is built to work alongside another varsity sport — we plan around football, basketball, and other seasons. If your son is one of the strongest players in his class and wants Elite, don’t self-select out because he plays a second sport.

3. Assuming Elite players are always “better” than Select players

Some of our Select players are objectively top players in their grad year. They’re on Select because of schedule and time commitment — not because of skill. Several recent college commits started in Select.

4. Locking in for life

Players move between Elite and Select every year. If your son starts Select and outgrows it, the move to Elite is straightforward. If he starts Elite and needs to back off because of a second sport or family commitment, Select is there. The choice isn’t permanent.

By grad year — what we usually recommend

Younger grad years (2034–2037) start in Futures — the Fall and/or Summer foundation pathway — and move up to Select or Elite at the right time.

Still on the fence? Try this.

1. Come to tryouts. Free to attend, no commitment. He’ll train alongside both Elite and Select players and the staff will give a direct read on fit.
2. Talk to the staff. Email rreyes@clalax.com with where your son is and what you’re weighing. Honest conversation, no pressure.
3. Pick the schedule that fits your family. Strong players land in the right place either way — the calendar is what should drive the decision, not pride about the team name.