FAQs

GENERAL

Who are the Co-Founders of Westward Lacrosse?

Westward Lacrosse is Co-Founded by Las Vegas’ only Professional Lacrosse Champions, Max Schmidt (Denver 2016) and Jeremy Sieverts (Whipsnakes 2020, 2019 | Denver 2016, 2014 | Chesapeake 2012). 

Both Schmidt and Sieverts had lengthy professional lacrosse careers and were teammates on the Denver Outlaws (MLL) and at NCAA Division-I University of Maryland and both call Las Vegas home.  

Who are the Coaches of Westward Lacrosse?

Westward Lacrosse will staff Local Programming, Events, and Travel Teams with coaches that believe in and prioritize our Program Values – OUTWARD // STEWARD // ONWARD. Coaches represent a number of programs and areas around Las Vegas and are excited to engage with your lacrosse player. 

What does Westward Lacrosse believe is the role of athletics?

Westward Lacrosse has adopted the InsideOut Initiative’s (https://insideoutinitiative.org) definition for Purpose-Based Athletics which defines and promotes the role of athletics as a human growth experience within a school/community that centers on the development of the academic, social, and emotional well being of each student-athlete.

What is the value of Purpose-Based Sports Culture?

Students engaged in athletic and activity programs:

-Perform better in the classroom
-Are less likely to use drugs, tobacco, or suffer from health issues
-Have better attendance rates - lower absenteeism
-Higher graduation rates
-Higher SAT and ACT scores
-Greater post-secondary opportunities
(Source: InsideOut Initiative - https://insideoutinitiative.org)

What is the vision of Westward Lacrosse?

To serve ALL Las Vegas Lacrosse players through Local Programming, Events, and Travel Teams.

LOCAL PROGRAMMING

Is Local Programming for all ability and experience level players?

Yes, Local Programming is designed to serve all players regardless of experience, ability, or aspirations within lacrosse. 

Is Local Programming open to players from all Las Vegas programs?

Yes. Westward Lacrosse Local Programming is designed to serve all players regardless of school, spring season team, previous club team association, future club team association, regional club team association, etc. 

Will my player or I be recruited/be able to play for another Spring Season Team than they are currently zoned if they participate in Westward Lacrosse Local Programming?

No. Westward Lacrosse respects LVLA and NVLS Zoning and further desires for all Spring Teams to have robust teams made up of players passionate about the game of Lacrosse, and eager to represent their zoned school/program. Westward Lacrosse will not make attempts to recruit players away from Spring Season Teams. 

If my player plays for Westward Lacrosse Local Programming will they be allowed to play for other clubs?

Westward Lacrosse encourages players and families to choose programming, teams, schools which are best for their player and family. Players will not be discouraged from seeking programming or training elsewhere in Las Vegas. However, we do encourage players/families to consider the amount they commit to, and to do their best to honor their commitments to the best of their ability. 

TRAVEL TEAMS

Are Travel Teams open to players from all Las Vegas programs?

Yes, we desire to be a program that is representative of programs all across Las Vegas. As a reminder, Travel Teams are selective and the priority is building the most competitive teams to compete in Regional Tournaments. 

Are Travel Teams open to players of all ability and experience level players?

Travel Teams will be composed of players who display the following qualities that will participate in competitive tournaments:

-Skilled, athletic, competitive, and coachable athletes
-Self-motivated athletes that already work on their game on a multiple times a week basis.
-Team first players that SHOW UP, DO THEIR BEST, and ARE GREAT TEAMMATES
-Families committed to driving to 2-3 practices per week, sometimes across town (Hope to facilitate Westward Carpools for practices)
-Committed to regional travel 2-3 times per Travel Season

What do you look for from players at Tryouts?

  • Attitude & Effort – We are looking for players who will represent themselves, their programs, schools, and WESTWARD Lacrosse with the highest integrity on and off the field. We want players who are looking to continuously improve while always giving their best possible. 

  • Coachable Athletes – We are looking for players who want to learn and develop as players.  Our coaches have knowledge that we want to pass on and are looking for players who will listen and apply our coaching.

  • Lacrosse IQ – We are looking for players who understand the game.

  • Skills & Abilities – As a lacrosse player you must be able to throw and catch at a high level, be engaged, make athletic plays, have competitive excellence.

What is the difference between Local Programming and Travel Teams?

Local Programming is aimed at developing skills, promoting interest & participation, and playing a variety of fun/unique iterations of lacrosse. Local Programming is for ALL players regardless of ability or experience level. We anticipate players of all abilities/experiences to participate in Local Programs. As mentioned, Local Programming is very “new player friendly”, develops community, and creates low pressure opportunities for all players to develop and enjoy playing lacrosse recreationally. 

Travel Teams are designed for the more aspirational Lacrosse Player that desires to one day play Lacrosse at the collegiate level. There will be Tryouts, which means there will likely be players put on a “Training/Practice Squad'' and cut from the team for that season. Travel Teams will travel to competitive regional events where the score is kept, wins and losses are recorded, tournament championships can be won, and for High School teams – College Coaches will be observing/recruiting.

If my player plays for Westward Lacrosse Travel Teams, will they be allowed to play for other clubs?

Again, Westward Lacrosse encourages players and families to choose programming, teams, schools which are best for their player and family. Players will not be discouraged from seeking opportunities to play elsewhere in Las Vegas, Regionally, or Nationally. However, we do encourage players/families to consider the amount they commit to, and to do their best to honor their commitments to the best of their ability.

If I don’t make a Travel Team, am I still allowed/supposed to participate in Westward Lacrosse Local Programming?

Yes! Local Programming is EXACTLY where you should be to be coached, grow, develop and become the player you desire to be for the next season’s round of Travel Team tryouts where hopefully you improve, and earn a spot on a Travel Team.

If I don’t make a Travel Team this time, am I out for Westward Lacrosse Travel Teams for life?

No, of course not. Tryouts are held specifically for that upcoming travel season. We encourage players to use the challenge/disappointment of not making a team to motivate you to work harder, smarter, and develop into a player that is impossible to be kept off a Travel Team. 

Tryouts will be held in August/September for the Fall Travel Team Season. 

Tryouts will be held in April/May for the Summer Travel Team Season.

My player is definitely good enough to make a Travel Team, should they participate in Local Programming?

Yes. Local Programming will be staffed by coaches eager and ready to coach and develop your Lacrosse Player. Generally, aspirational players develop and succeed by playing more, not less. Local Programming is a great place for players to stay sharp, continue to develop confidence, work on their game, and develop into the player they want to be. Our programming is designed with as little overlap as possible to attempt to limit conflicts of programs. So, as long as your player is excited about participating and committed to showing up, we encourage them to participate.

I cannot participate in a WESTWARD Local Program, Event, or Travel Team because of a conflict, does that mean I can not be a WESTWARD Athlete?

No. Players are not expected to participate in ALL Westward Local Programs, Events, or Travel Teams. However, we do encourage follow through for what you do sign up for, ex: participating in all of Henderson Sunset Sixes, or participating in all of the Travel Teams Practices/Tournaments for each Travel season. 

If you have further questions, feel free to submit a question on the Contact Page.