The Alcatraz Outlaws put me in all the right places in all the right times. They provided the coaching, the exposure, and the advice necessary to get me where I want to be in the next chapter of my life. This advice carried far beyond what happens on the lacrosse field and had a lot to do with why I chose the University of Denver. First off, being on the Outlaws conquers everybody’s first obstacle in the recruiting, which is getting seen by coaches. Both King of the Hill and Gait Cup had more coaches lined on each sideline than one would ever expect. But being an Outlaw, did not limit me to just these events, and actually helped me get into some of the most selective camps in the country. This would not be possible without the connections available through Coach Braden, Angilly, and Grose. So after a summer spent playing lacrosse at the Denver Ascension Camp, King of the Hill, Gait Cup, and the Maverick Showtime, the stage was set for me to decide where I would go to college.

I knew playing lacrosse in college was something I wanted to do, but was clueless as to what would be the best fit for me. The coaches at Alcatraz simply said, “Make a list of your options and visit the ones where there is mutual interest.” So that is what I did. The biggest piece of advice that I received in this process from the coaches at Alcatraz, was to choose a university where I would feel at home. Find a place that I would still love to be, even if I were to blow my knee out and never play lacrosse again. I kept this in mind while walking around the various campuses, and weighed their differences in academics, lacrosse, campus feel, and city life. My decision became that much easier to commit to DU. I felt at home. And yes, playtime may be a little harder to come by with a more competitive program, but because I will be in a place that feels like home as well as a hardworking team, I will be willing to put in the work to make it happen. And that is an opportunity that I never would have had, without the help of the Alcatraz Outlaws.

The recruiting process for lacrosse players begins right away. The idea of selecting schools, playing in front of coaches, and communicating with some of the country’s top lacrosse programs can get a little overwhelming but as someone who was recently in your shoes, I have a few suggestions that might help you through the next couple summers of lacrosse recruiting. The first and probably most important thing to keep in mind, utilize your assets. When you join the Outlaws, Braden and the other coaches will get your name on the radar of the great number of coaches that they know/have dealt with in the past. My next tip would be to be smart about which camps you attend. More and more camps are starting and it’s hard to tell which ones will have the coaches that you want to impress. If you have started to formulate a list of schools that you would be interested in (if you haven’t done this I highly recommend it as one of your first steps in the recruiting process) an easy solution is to email the coaches with your summer schedule and ask them which events they will be going to. Another way to be smart about choosing camps is to see how many attendants the camp takes. It may seem counter-intuitive, but in my experience the camps with fewer players actually proved to be the easiest for me to get myself recognition from coaches. Smaller camps (like Maverick or Bluechip) have less games going on at a given time and this allows all the coaches to watch the same games and see ALL of the kids at the camp. Bigger camps with upwards of 300 kids have many different games going on at the same time at different field locations so the coaches spread out and don’t have a chance to see all of the kids. When you do get the chance to speak with coaches, be persistent. Because of the NCAA restrictions around recruiting, you have to take the initiative in emailing and calling coaches. Don’t be discouraged if they don’t respond to an email or don’t answer when you call them. Coaches are very busy so you have to keep at them.The last thing, perhaps more important than anything else, is to keep working hard in the classroom.The first thing coaches will look at are your grades. If you meet or exceed the quota for a given school, you can increase your value in the eyes of college coaches. You will never be taken off of a coaches list for having good grades, they can only help you. Use your skills as a lacrosse player to open as many doors as possible for yourself. You may be faced with a decision between schools that differ in both academics and lacrosse success. Just remember: you will be living off of lacrosse for the next 8 years while you will be living off of your education for the next 40 years.If you are interested in my personal suggestions: I would recommend associating yourself with Braden and the Outlaw family. Braden is very connected in the lacrosse world and is willing to work tirelessly to get your name out there. In recent years, Bluechip has been the strongest camp for High Schoolers, but they expanded the camp to bring in more money and the quality of the camp significantly decreased. The Maverik Showtime camp is on the rise and ranks far above all of the other available camps.

Playing for the Outlaws has been without a doubt one of the greatest experiences of my life. Every practice was fun and exciting and I always came away having learnt something new. Being a defenseman, I loved listening to Braden and hearing what he had to say. Also, the other coaches were great resources of knowledge that helped me take my game to the next level. They all help prepare you for the college coaches. I owe a great deal of thanks to the whole coaching staff. I would not be where I am today without their guidance and mentorship. From the very first day I accepted my place on the Outlaws, I was being helped in ways I could not have foreseen. By myself, I had garnered mediocre interest from coaches, I had about two schools seriously interested in me. Only a week after accepting my place on the Outlaws, I had calls with five different schools that hadn’t even seen me play!!! Throughout the entire process, Braden is by your side helping to invite and fend off college coaches, and he always does this in your best interest. He isn’t in this business for personal glory, he is in it for you. Coach Edwards has earned my utmost respect not only as a coach but as a person and I can honestly say I would not have had the opportunities I had, if I didn’t have Braden by my side! The Outlaws has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and If you want to play college lacrosse, this is the way to go.

Describing the Outlaws experience is not an easy thing to do; the first words that come to my mind are: fun, family, LAX!!, and connection. I say fun because, honestly this was the most fun I have ever had playing lacrosse. Out of all the teams I’ve ever been on, Starz, Titans, NorCal, etc. I can absolutely say that playing with the Outlaws was by far the most fun I’ve had playing lacrosse. I choose the word family because although I knew a good amount of the kids on the team from previous experiences, I had never known them the way I do now. I consider each of my teammates as brothers, and my coaches as lifelong mentors. The word Lax came to my mind for fairly obvious reasons, simply because the Outlaws are the most competitive, well organized, and best connected team on the west coast, and one of the best in the country. Which brings me to my next point, connections. I’ve spoken already to the enduring connections that are made within the team, however the ones that are made on the outside of the team have the potential to be equally as important. It seems to me that Braden, Greg and Dave are probably the most well connected men in college lacrosse west of the Mississippi. Between the three of them, I doubt there is a single coach that they don’t know extensively. When I told them of some of the schools I was interested in, not only did they immediately reach out to those coaches, but they also contacted several other schools they thought would be a good fit. When Braden got me on the phone with one of the coaches, I was surprised by how well they knew each other. Because of that, Braden could tell the coach exactly what he thought of me and my potential, and the coach knew Braden was telling the truth. Braden, Greg, and Dave work hard to maintain their relationships with coaches, that way when they tell a coach to take a look at a player, the coach makes sure to see him play and take a very good look. Without the help of Braden, Greg and Dave I honestly have no idea where I would be as far as recruiting goes. The Outlaws have not only been the best lacrosse team I’ve played for, but the one that goes back up to bat for me time and time again. So, like I was told last winter, “If you get invited to the Outlaws, don’t wait, DO IT!

Having the opportunity to play for the Alcatraz Outlaws was an incredible experience. The Outlaws coaching staff does their absolute best to put you in a position to be successful. Every practice is run in an up tempo, college like atmosphere. The Outlaws was, without a doubt, the best experience I have ever had on the lacrosse field. My teammates were great players and it was extremely competitive. On the field, each and every player forced one another to do their absolute best. Off the field, we shared great memories with each other. I have made some wonderful friends from being a part of this program. With the recruiting process starting earlier and earlier every year, the Alcatraz staff does an excellent job talking to elite college coaches about you as a person and a player. The coaching staff does a terrific job getting to know the individual rather than just the player. Just like many college coaches, Coach Edwards, Coach Grose and Coach Angilly care more about the player’s character and how they carry themselves rather than their overall skills. I had a great experience with the Outlaws and I highly recommend them to any serious high school lax player.

The Alcatraz Outlaws was, without a doubt, the best experience I have ever had playing lacrosse. It is difficult to explain how much fun it is to play with your closest friends, at such a high level. Every kid on the team truly belongs there, allowing for fun – filled competitive practices and thrilling games against the East’s best. While everyone’s ultimate goal was to stand out and get recruited, our team was cohesive and unselfish. Perhaps most importantly, the coaching staff was incredible and definitely elevated my game to a whole new level. They truly took it upon themselves to help us not only get better, but to find the right school for us. I can wholeheartedly say that without the help of Coach Grose, Coach A, and Coach Braden, I don’t think I would have been able to get recruited to Middlebury. If you have the opportunity to play for the Outlaws, I would advise taking it.

Playing for the Alcatraz Outlaws was the single best investment in my lacrosse career. From the first ever Outlaws practice three summers ago to the last game we played together during the finals of Gait Cup, the Outlaws molded me into being the lacrosse player I am today. No matter the lacrosse background that each player had (I came from a high school where lacrosse was a laughing stock as of a few years ago), each one had earned the right to play together on that field under the Outlaw name. Because of this, each practice was filled with high-level competition that both tested each player and allowed each player to develop both high-level skill and I.Q. The coaches have very creatively combined skill workouts with drills that also teach lacrosse I.Q., which is needless to say one of the differences between a collegiate lacrosse player and a high school lacrosse player. Because the three coaches have three very different back grounds in lacrosse (Angilly and Grose being on the offensive end and Edwards on the defensive) each player knows that he is getting the highest level of lacrosse coaching available on the west coast. The coaches also help create the contact between college coach and player. Coach Grose introduced me to Coach Bathory and now I am writing this having verbally committed to Haverford. Coach Grose, Angilly, and Edwards have finally developed a summer club program that seriously competes regularly against the very top east coast clubs. The very first year that we traveled back east many of our opponents went into our games thinking that it would be a walk in the park to destroy a group of west coast laxers. Two years later I saw a dream come true after we battled our way into the finals of two of the east coast’s best tournaments. Instead of being some team from California we became that team from California, all thanks to the dedication by Greg Angilly, David Grose, and Braden Edwards to develop the best lacrosse players from the west coast for the goal of one day earning a spot on a high level east coast lacrosse program. I want to thank the entire Outlaw community, coaches, parents, and mostly fellow laxers, for giving me the opportunity to proudly say that I was part of the Outlaws.

My experience on the Alcatraz Outlaws was the best experience I have had playing lacrosse. The Outlaws became family, I had the opportunity to be seen by the top coaches in the country and my game improved dramatically. I have never played on a team as selfless as the Outlaws and my teammates became some of my best friends. The exposure I gained while playing in the tournaments and through the Outlaw’s coaches’ connections was as good as it gets. The practices and playing, with what I would consider the best players in NorCal, helped me improve greatly. The Alcatraz Outlaw coaches not only made me a better player but also guided me step by step through the recruiting process.

My experience with the Alcatraz Outlaws was outstanding. Both my sophomore and junior years were great times with two different teams. Not only were the coaches a tremendous help with the entire process, but the kids that they brought in were all awesome as well. The way that the coaches set up the team guarantees that you will be seen by a number of college coaches. My first year back east was a new experience for me and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never played back east at the high school level and to be honest I was a little nervous. The coaches assured all of us that we were just as good as anyone out there and that we were absolutely going to get noticed if we just played together and listened to their advice. Sure enough we got back there and beat the tar out of most teams that we played. This was the exact same when I played my second summer on the outlaws. When you win games at these tournaments, you get noticed. I was fortunate enough to be seen by coach Jeff Tambroni who had just moved from Cornell to Penn State. I would like to mention that in some cases you have to go outside of your bubble and introduce yourself to the coaches so that they acknowledge your interest. This is what I did to make sure Tambroni would come out and watch one of our games. He liked the way I played and that is when the recruiting process began. For me it was very easy to decide on Penn State because of coach Tambroni and the school itself. The outlaws staff was there the entire way to help me out through the process. I would highly recommend playing for the Alcatraz Outlaws to anyone that would like to play lacrosse at the next level.

The month of June with the Alcatraz Outlaws was always the most fun anticipated lacrosse stretch of my year. Weekend practices starting when school gets out up until the trip back east were SO MUCH FUN because as a team we knew we had the best talent in the Bay Area and were able to play at a very high level of lacrosse. Everyone knew how to work hard and that’s why they were on the team, so what it came down to was creating a team dynamic through practices of getting to know each other and the coaches. And let me tell you, that aspect never failed in my experience. Coach Braden and Coach Grosse and the staff not only are great teachers of the game but are extremely knowledgeable about the recruiting process. The coaches are quick to recognize each player’s strengths, and are therefore able to build the team for success. The more we played like this, the more games we won and the more looks we got; the bottomline is that Coach Braden and the Outlaws create a system of positive feedback where winning and recruitment compliment each other. My personal story with the Outlaws involves fond memories on the field. My team’s final tournament at the Gait Cup in 2015 was our highlight of success with the club, as we swept the tournament, winning all nine games and the trophy that weekend. Through the recruiting process, I learned that once you start winning games and making plays, having the connections and wisdom of Braden and the Outlaws at your back are more beneficial than anything else. In the end, I had a handful of offers and interest from DI and DIII schools alike, but I decided on Middlebury because I felt it gave me the opportunity to have the college life I wanted: to be at a great school and to be an athlete on lacrosse team, but yet not have lacrosse dominate my life the way it would at the DI level. I cannot stress enough, the Outlaws is the whole package with the team and recruiting, and they are the best club that the Bay Area and California has to offer.

My experience with the outlaws was unlike any other. The outlaws is the most dynamic lacrosse club the Bay Area has to offer. It’s coaches are the best of the best. They know the game inside and out and can give you the tools to take your game to the next level. They’ve all played at the college level, so they know what it takes to make it there. They will be honest with you on what you need to do to get better and to play at the next level. They also know a plethora of college coaches, which is crucial for getting your name out there and being seen. My teams with the outlaws became my family; from spending countless hours in the dorms at Gait Cup and King of the Hill to giving it our all on the field. We created relationships that will last a lifetime. After my summer going into my junior year playing for the outlaws, I got recruited and committed to play in college. When it came time to choose to play for the outlaws the following summer or not, it was a no brainer. I felt indebted to the outlaws because all they had given to me as a player but more importantly as a person. Their most important goal is not to win games, but it is the promotion of their players character on and off the field. This mentality starts with Braden but is spread through each coach and is engrained in all the players.

The Alcatraz Outlaws provided the perfect opportunity for Austin to maximize his recruiting exposure. The collective leadership of Braden, Dave, and Greg, acted as our consultant, guiding and carrying us through the entire recruiting gauntlet. They guide you in the direction of the schools that are the appropriate fit academically, geographically, socially, and lacrosse ability. The Outlaws play in outstanding national tournaments against the top travel teams in the nation in front of hundreds of coaches at all levels from D1, to D2 and D3, to MCLA, so all players are being scouted comprehensively. Equally important the coaches continually directed and stressed to Austin through the practices and games the individual and team oriented skills he should be focusing upon to ensure he would be put in the best light possible in recruiting evaluation. While Dave and Greg coach the team Braden tirelessly and effectively works the evaluating coaches’ sideline with the targeted schools/coaches securing feedback and putting the Outlaw players in the best light possible.

The contribution of the Outlaws to Austin landing at Denver University is linear: Denver was at the Outlaws first practice of our first tournament – King of Hill(KOH). Yes in the infamous words of Allan Iverson’ “ we are talking practice!” Both Austin and I were blown away by that and it came about as a function of Outlaw work well in advance. Further Denver as well as two additional top D1 universities at the top of our desired list attended every Outlaw game at both KOH and Gait Cup, again a credit to the advance prep.

Lastly Braden proved to be invaluable in his guidance and direction with regards, to advising us on schools that were interested, which to visit, what to expect and do during the visit, and ultimately helping us sort through the offer and make our final decision. We could not be happier with our experience and know we found the right home at Denver University and are equally thankful for the friendships and good times enjoyed this past summer.

You played a huge role in Sam’s decision to attend college back east and play DIII lacrosse at Ursinus College. Today was quite an extraordinary day for the Bears, indeed it’s been quite a special season:

http://www.ursinusathletics.com/sports/mlax/2018-19/releases/20190504o8l1ib

You were a strong advocate for the small liberal arts college experience, something not on Sam’s radar until he travelled with the Outlaws. As we prepare to celebrate Sam’s graduation in a few weeks, we are so grateful for the incredible experience he has had. He was able to study abroad in Hong Kong for fall semester, and still participate fully in a magical lacrosse season. He has thrived in small classes with the best professors, and built incredibly tight relationships with his teammates and fellow students that will last a lifetime.

Thought you’d get a kick out of the story. Thank you for making an impact on Sam and our family. 

Sincerely, 

Kim and Matt Isola

Playing with the best players makes you better. The Outlaws consistently are comprised of the best players in Northern California. If you play on the Outlaws, you’ll be seen by top college programs. As we considered joining the Outlaws in late 2011, I was skeptical the experience would be additive to what I thought I already knew. We went through the recruiting process with Roy in 2007, then Kelly in 2008, and they were both doing well academically & athletically at Cornell. Joe had his short list and we had a plan to visit those schools through the Spring. Looking back now, I realize how much the process had changed & accelerated since ’07/08 and Joe and I are thankful that Braden was there to guide us. The recruiting landscape continues to evolve so quickly, that everyone can benefit from an expert that is current. Braden’s in constant contact with college coaches, so he’s up to date on what they’re thinking and doing. He’s aware of any changes, in real time, as they’re unfolding. He’s engaged, involved and an excellent advocate. Thank you Braden, Dave & Greg for creating a successful recruiting program, allowing us to be a part of it and helping Joe make his decision.

For Michael, playing on the Outlaws was been the best decision he has ever made. The high level competition from King of the Hill and Gait Cup tournaments as well as the efforts of coaches Dave, Greg and Braden gave Michael maximum exposure to plethora of college coaches who attend these events. I’m not sure I can find the words to do justice to what Braden, Dave and Greg did for the boys; how hard they worked to make sure the collegiate coaches took notice. They are your son’s greatest advocate, his sharpest critic and his best cheerleader. The moment Braden received our email accepting the invitation to play on the Outlaws he began asking Michael questions about grades, test scores, schools of interest, video, contact information. Before Michael had even practiced, Braden had contacted some collegiate coaches and former Outlaws (who are current collegiate players) to look at Michael’s video and give him feedback. Dave, Braden and Greg took a group of boys and parents from ALL over Northern California and helped them become a family. In a few short practices they shaped them into a team that played unselfishly and successfully. Each practice focused on the fundamentals for both offense and defense with coaches teaching and demanding good technique. The Alumni game was like being at an NCAA All-star game and the Easton gear was great. At the parents meeting the coaches try to tell you what a roller coaster ride it will be during the summer and you nod your head but they’re not kidding!!! At each tournament, Greg, Braden and Dave made sure to talk to the college coaches and if they didn’t already know the college coach, they made sure to meet that coach. Every step of the way Braden, Dave and Greg will be there for your son. After the tournaments they were available anytime to offer advice and help with the recruiting process. Ultimately when Michael made his decision to attend Michigan, the first people he contacted were Greg, Dave and Braden. As others have said before me, if your son is asked to play for the Outlaws, don’t hesitate – say “yes”! We feel so fortunate and thankful that Michael was given this opportunity. It was the most important thing in lacrosse that Michael has ever done. How can we describe the experience – awesome, incredible, and ridiculously fun.

Dave, Braden and the rest of the Outlaw coaches got Mitchell ready for the Maverik showcase in July. I wasn’t able to attend, but was told Mitchell played extremely well and made the All-Star team. Notre Dame was there and saw him play several games and it all just came together. I feel very fortunate and could not have asked for a better outcome. More importantly we are grateful to be part of the Outlaws as, without it, Mitchell would not have had this opportunity. Beyond providing great lacrosse skill development, you, Braden and the rest of the coaches provide an environment that focuses on team, leadership, personal responsibility and sportsmanship; everything we are trying to instill in Mitchell at home. Again I feel really fortunate to be part of the Outlaw program – it ranks right up there with De La Salle football as the best sports experience for my kids and as a great experience for our family.

Coaches, We would like to thank all of you for your efforts in making the King of the Hill and Gait Cup Tournaments both successful and rewarding experiences for Ben. He has benefited greatly from your coaching and really enjoys being an Outlaw. We especially appreciate the extra effort that you put into guiding him through the recruiting process, which resulted in him accepting an offer from the University of Richmond. You helped him turn his dream into a goal into a reality. Well done.

Having Jordan play for the Alcatraz Outlaws was without a doubt, one of the key reasons for his successful recruitment to Penn State. Braden, Greg, and Dave were instrumental in guiding us through the process, always with Jordan’s best interest at heart. They are incredibly knowledgeable and were always available to make contact with college coaches. They promote a tremendous team atmosphere while putting together the top talent the Bay area has to offer. They have put Nor Cal lacrosse on the map! These coaches are respected amongst the college coaching ranks and are known to pick talent able to play at the next level. The Alcatraz Outlaws is the ONLY team I would trust my son with. It was an amazingly positive experience all the way around!!

The Alcatraz Outlaw experience was a very good one for our son. Though a conflict prevented him from attending one of the scheduled tournaments, at the King of the Hill tournament I watched coaches Edwards and Grose carefully manage conversations with a number of college coaches who were interested in knowing more about various Outlaw players. Occasionally, a coach might say, “Can you show me how that player works as a middie?” Coach Edwards would then adjust his lines to accommodate that coach’s request. That’s when the differences between a recruiting club team and a travel team became clear to me. Additionally, after the Outlaws returned to San Francisco, Coach Edwards inquired about the list of schools our son was targeting, to see if he could assist in making contact with coaches at those schools. Due to a recent coaching change at Harvard, our son had not been able to make contact with the new Head Coach. Braden Edwards said, “I know Coach Wojcik well. Why don’t I give him a call?” Within hours, our son was in contact with Coach Wocjik, setting up a visit to Harvard that took place two weeks later. Though our son ultimately committed elsewhere, the amount and level of effort put forth by Coach Edwards was truly impressive! In all, the Outlaws provide a high value, personalized recruiting service for each player on the team. Based on their results over the last two years, they are very good, indeed, at what they do.

I had always heard about the Outlaws being the preeminent high school travel team representing Northern California, so when my son was asked to become a part of the Outlaws team, I was excited about the prospects for his development. However, I had no real tangible idea of what that ultimately would mean for him in terms of options to play lacrosse beyond high school. Sitting where I am today, I can honestly say that the benefits of being on this team, playing with these quality players and being coached and advised by all these coaches (Braden, Dave, Mike and Greg) helped Niko not only to become a better player and teammate, but ultimately, it opened up opportunities and doorways that we never knew could have existed for Niko in 2011. The advice he received, and confidence he gained from Braden and Dave, during the process of being on the Outlaws helped him gain a clear focus of what he wanted in a college and it helped us to find the right opportunity or “fit” for our son in a college program. Many travel teams and camps boast about their ability to get players recruited and the number of schools that attend their events. The Outlaws focus on the placement of your kids into high quality schools throughput the United States and their results are unmatched. As I like to say to the Outlaws coaches… ” You coaches are changing the lives and opportunities for Northern California Lacrosse players, one player at a time“. This statement is especially true given the proximity of our area as compared to the numerous lacrosse hotbeds back east. The Outlaws success on the field, the advice and guidance they provide Players and Parents, and the placement of Outlaws players into high quality D1, D3 and MCLA college programs is without compare in the West. I want to personally thank Braden and Dave for their commitment to my son, and in helping him to find his way through the peaks and valleys of the college recruiting process. Their advice, guidance, perspective, and relationships are beyond reproach within the college coaching community and they all worked together and helped to expose the benefits of our son to these coaches, not only as a player, but as a student and as a person. Thank you so much.

I must admit I had high expectations of the benefits my son would accrue from being part of the Alcatraz Outlaws program and am very happy to be able to say that all aspects of my expectations were greatly surpassed. On the lacrosse field all of the coaching team are adept at identifying player strengths and weaknesses, and strongly focus on overall player improvement. However from my perspective, the most important benefit they bestowed was the manner in which they (particularly Braden) helped Aran get a clearer understanding of what he wanted in a college and how lacrosse can help him achieve his goals, in terms of getting into the right college / lacrosse program and more importantly life after college . As it relates to the college recruiting process, this summer has cemented my view that navigating through it is most definitely an art not a science, and Braden and Dave proved themselves to be artists of the highest order. Their strong relationships and more importantly their reputation with key college programs were instrumental in creating a number of excellent opportunities for Aran. They were also extremely involved and available to guide both Aran and I through the process which at times appears like a maze. They put Aran in contact with their own personal network and Alcatraz alumnus to help him make a decision on what was best for him. During all aspects of the journey, all the coaching team were open and honest and their communication style with both players and parents is excellent. I have absolutely no reservations in recommending their program to anyone, and hope my younger son will be invited into the program.

The Outlaws are a known and respected entity among college coaches. The team draws attention from all of the top programs as the coaching community has come to expect that the team will represent the best players from the bay area. In tandem with that Braden understands the recruiting process, has the connections, and acts as a coduit between coaches, parents and players to facilitate and navigate a sometimes overwhelming and confusing process. Additionally, the teams are well coached, play an aggressive but selfless brand of lacrosse and perform very well. The players also have a lot of fun which is key in a grinding and stressful environment. Sean is committed to DU but had interest from a number of other top programs including Maryland, Georgetown and Loyola and Braden and the Outlaws helped us navigate the process and find the right fit.

By high school, lacrosse club selection comes down to three considerations: You want your son playing with the top talent in the area to see if he is as good as he thinks he is. You want top coaching from guys who have played at the top level. And finally, you want your son to be recruited to the program best suited for his abilities, be it Division 1, Division 3, or the MCLA. Choosing the Outlaws is an easy decision because they are the best at all three. The Outlaws were the first Bay Area program to participate in the eastern tournaments specifically designed to expose high school players to coaches from the strong college programs. As such, they seem to have a monopoly on getting the top talent. Most, if not all, of the top players from the Bay Area in the last 5 years played as an Outlaw at one point. The three coaches, Baden, Dave, and Greg, have outstanding experience both playing and coaching at the top high school and collegiate levels, locally and on the East Coast. One of the most important benefits of being on this team is the ability to take advantage of the number and level of contacts between the three coaches and the current collegiate coaches, and how highly the Outlaw coaches are regarded. The success of former Outlaw players has generated an enormous amount of credibility within the college community. One coach said to me, “I ought to just take the whole 2014 Outlaw team and be done with my recruiting”. It was truly impressive watching coaches seek out the Outlaw coaches to discuss who would be right for their programs. While many travel teams boast about their ability to get your son recruited, the Outlaw coaches back up that claim. They honestly care about your son and work extremely hard to find the correct fit.

The Alcatraz Outlaws is an incredible lacrosse experience. In my opinion, the Outlaws is a combination of three things: the best players in Northern California, a trio of exceptional coaches, and a group of extremely supportive families. Braden, Dave and Greg are all great coaches with impressive resumes. They did a great job of molding 20 players into a cohesive unit. The 2014 team was extremely unselfish and advanced to the semi finals in both the King of the Hill Tournament in Maryland and the Gait Cup in Gettysburg, PA.I expected great coaching but I was extremely impressed with the recruiting effort. It became very clear that the Outlaws were a popular team with many college coaches. The 2014 Outlaws played in front of a bevy of college coaches. The exposure was excellent, and my son got the opportunity to play in front of some of the top D1 Head Coaches in the country. The Outlaw coaches were a great recruiting resource for us. They have outstanding relationships with many of the top coaches. My son got numerous calls from top schools. The Outlaw coaches were great at presenting the different college opportunities. The off field “coaching” thru the recruiting process was extremely beneficial and resulted in offers from some of the top schools in the country. This would not have been possible without the help of Braden, Dave and Greg. I highly recommend the Alcatraz Outlaws to any lacrosse player who wants to reach his peak potential and play at the next level.

I think the Outlaws program is structured and operated in a way that truly sets it apart from the myriad and growing choices for select players in the Bay Area. As elite travel teams go, I believe this group truly plays as a team – a philosophy that the coaches instill from the outset. The team’s ability to win with class, and to consistently make it to the finals of tournaments back east has college coaches (and parents of opposing teams) taking notice and asking, “who are these California guys and how can they be playing like that?” Braden, Dave, and Greg are then happy to make introductions to these college coaches, and in many cases know them very well through having been teammates or competitors over the years. The Outlaws’ coaches exude a love for helping kids and have the ability to translate their ongoing passion for the game into producing maximum results for the players’ performance on the field as well as for helping the student/athletes and parents as they learn to navigate the recruiting realm. Braden in particular was instrumental in guiding my son Charlie through all aspects of interacting with college coaches and understanding the expectations around timing and content of communications with those coaches. Braden’s responsiveness to our questions and his candid assessment of evolving situations at various schools that showed interest in Charlie made a big difference in Charlie’s ability to maintain perspective and focus during the recruiting process. Having Braden as a resource and advocate was invaluable. I can’t say enough about the program and the coaches. They make it fun for the kids and parents to be part of the Outlaws. I think they do a great job in preparing the players to perform as a team while also allowing every kid an opportunity to show off their individual skills on the field. The Outlaws have truly created a winning formula.”

The Alcatraz Outlaw experience is unlike any other lacrosse team you’ll experience. The team is incredibly organized, the players selected are among the very best that NorCal has to offer in terms of talent and character and the coaching is nothing short of outstanding. The tournaments played in saw more Recruiters than any other we’ve seen and resulted in an offer for my son from his dream school. A school that was not on the radar screen prior to the Outlaws!

Our son’s experience, playing for the San Francisco Alcatraz Outlaws this summer was a unique and extraordinary opportunity! The superb coaching by Braden Edwards, David Grose and Greg Angilly was individualized for each team member and went far beyond all expectations. Every player received hand’s on instruction which helped them achieve their personal best while playing with the best players from Northern California. Playing for the Outlaws meant our son was mentored and promoted by the best Northern California coaches who have the respect and ear of elite college lacrosse coaches from the DI, DII and DIII levels. The team’s success in the past few years speaks for itself, holding its own against highly ranked East Coast club and high school teams and winning the prestigious Gait Cup tournament last summer. Thanks to Braden, David and Greg, our boys received great recognition and exposure as well as the confidence to measure themselves against elite East Coast players. The Alcatraz Outlaws played as a team, not a bunch of Hotshots! As parents, we were able to participate and support the team at any level we chose and were comfortable with. By the end of a few short weeks, we felt as close to the families, players and coaches of the Alcatraz Outlaws as we did with the high school team we have spent years with. The Outlaws will always be remembered as a highlight of our son’s high school lacrosse career as well as one of the best opportunities that gave him the exposure and finally the options to play for DI, II and III College lacrosse programs.

Although able to attend only one of the two events, I thought the Alcatraz Outlaws travel team experience was productive, well run and fun to be a part of. The professional way coach Braden Edwards and Greg Angilly handled the delicate recruiting conversations with college coaches and parents was exceptional and resulted in multiple success stories. I strongly support the Alcatraz Outlaws, their staff and their mission to provide a quality top notch travel team program that delivers on its promise. I would recommend the experience to anyone.

My two boys played with the Outlaw over the past two summers. They both had a tremendous experience and positive on two excellent teams that the coaches put together. The coaches molded a team in a few short weeks with a group of very talented youngsters and led them fairly and honestly. Both of my sons, and the other boys learned a lot from the top level competition they were exposed to on the east coast. The Outlaws did exceptionally well, surprising their east coast counterparts with their skill and work ethic. Braden can get in a kids face but every boy on the team had the utmost respect for him. I know that my sons benefited both as players and young men from the Outlaws opportunity.

The Alcatraz Outlaws team is one of the finest lacrosse clubs in the country. Coaches Edwards, Angilly and Grose are three of the top lacrosse teachers in the Bay Area. Additionally, for H.S. players interested in playing at the next level, they are well connected in the college coaching ranks and well versed in the recruiting process. My son, Michael, gained invaluable experience and exposure this summer as a result of the Outlaws.

If your son is interested in playing at the next level (DI, DII, DIII or MCLA), the Alcatraz Outlaw travel team is the single best option to help fulfill that goal. It all starts with the players. Coach Braden Edwards, David Grose and Greg Angilly start looking for the top talent in Northern California in early Fall. Utilizing their extensive coaching network, they identify players that have the qualities they look for in an Alcatraz Outlaw: character, talent and work ethic. compete in two national recruiting tournaments: The King of the Hill at Swarthmore College and The Gait Cup at Gettysburg College. The level of competition at these two tournaments is second to none and that’s why the best college coaches in the nation attend these two events. After the tournaments, the Outlaw coaching staff will stay in contact with you and your son, providing up-to-date feedback from college coaches and unwavering guidance through the intimidating college recruitment process. Their constant support and feedback is incredibly comforting during this phase of the process. And then, when all the information and options are on the table, you and your son can make an informed decision on what school best fits his needs and talents, both academically and athletically. And when that time comes, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that by being part of the Alcatraz Outlaw travel team, you helped your son reach his dreams of playing at the next level. Good luck and Go Outlaws!

The Alcatraz Outlaws provides an opportunity for talented players to play with the best teammates from Nor Cal against the best teams in the country for the top DI and DIII coaches in the country. The exceptional coaching staff prepares the team to showcase individual and team skills in a real time, highly competitive environment. And when the calls from coaches come in, and they do, they actively communicate with college coaches and provide invaluable guidance in the recruiting process. Our son has committed to his first choice school – a top 10 DIII program at a top 10 Liberal Arts College on the east coast. It would not have been possible without the outstanding program and coaching staff of the Alcatraz Outlaws. Thank you Coach Edwards, Angilly and Grose and thanks to the remarkable teammates and families from the 2009 and 2010 Outlaws teams.

I am pleased to recommend the Alcatraz Outlaws Lacrosse Club to any family that is interested in having their son reach his potential in the game of lacrosse. My son, Wiley set his sights on playing lacrosse with the best players in Northern California against the best players in the country and in his mind the only place to accomplish this was with the Outlaws. Playing for both Braden Edwards and Dave Grose absolutely had a positive impact on improving his physical abilities on the field but just as importantly helped him grow in his understanding of the game of lacrosse and what it would take to play at a high level beyond high school. Braden helped our family navigate the arduous process of college recruiting. He provided helpful guidance into which schools were the right fit academically, with the right level of lacrosse for Wiley. Just as importantly both Braden and Dave provided our family with personal insight into the various coaching staffs of the schools we were considering and the impact those coaches would have on the development of Wiley as much as a person as with his ability on the field. This knowledge helped us narrow our decision and had a lot to do with Wiley finally choosing Loyola University Maryland. I can not express enough the gratitude we have for Braden, Dave and the Outlaws for all the hard work they put in on our behalf.

The Outlaws are formed typically from the best lacrosse talent in the Bay Area. Braden and the other coaches take these all star type kids and through a lot of hard work in practice transform them into a highly functioning, cohesive unit. They do so by drilling on the fundamentals, working with each player individually and by impressing on the boys that the game at its highest levels is a team game — only by playing together will they achieve their goals. You could call this combination of talent and Braden’s leadership “lacrosse alchemy” as not only do the boys learn to play exceedingly well together, but their individual skills also improve dramatically.

Interestingly, as they become more valuable to the Outlaws, they become more valuable as college prospects too. At the appropriate time, Braden and the other coaches work hard to find the right fit at the college level for each player’s talent and aspirations. They seem to have a relationship with every coach at the D1, D2 and D3 levels and their recommendations are taken seriously. Their experience in this area is extremely helpful as parents typically only go through the recruiting process once or at most two times — they do it every year. I admit they walked me in off the ledge more than a few times in the most nerve wracking parts of the recruiting cycle.

Perhaps the most magical part of the Outlaws experience is the life long friendships that arise among the boys and among many of the parents. I love watching how the boys react to seeing each other when they get back together over the summer or after a college game or scrimmage. To me that is the best testament to the desirability of the Outlaws and Braden’s insightful and energetic leadership. He makes a lot of work and stress seem fun!

Michael and I can’t say enough great things about our Outlaws experience! The approach to player development is second to none. Coach Packard and Coach Christmas are two of the top coaches on the west coast and they run the program using similar approaches to those used by Chris at St. Ignatius and that Johnnie experienced at both the collegiate and professional levels. I was very happy with how quickly they learned Michael’s game and then worked with him on the specific areas he needed to improve. They also spent a lot of time on advanced team concepts, increasing each player’s lax IQ in the process. When it came to tournaments, I was really impressed with the time and effort the coaches put into getting the boys mentally and physically prepared to play their best for each game. And, after each tournament, Michael received very specific, individual feedback on what he did well and what they wanted him to work on next. Lastly, these guys run a super fun program. Michael was always excited to go to practice and the tournaments because these guys know how to connect with the kids. They know how to be positive, but also when the team needs a kick in the butt. They know when to be light and joke around, but also when to be serious and focused. At the end of the day, if you get a chance to play for the Outlaws I would not pass it up. I guarantee you will be very impressed with the impact it has on your child.

I’m a proud father of three boys – Tyler (16), Parker (14) and Jake (10). For as long as my boys have played lacrosse, it has been a dream of theirs to have the opportunity to wear the colors of the Alcatraz Outlaws. That opportunity presented itself this past year as Tyler (’16) and Parker (’18) were invited to join the Outlaw family and I can say, without reservation, it has been the BEST experience we’ve had in the sport of lacrosse – bar none!

There are many things that set the Alcatraz Outlaws apart from other elite travel programs but the things that stand out for me are 1) the ability to attract the best talent in Northern California and mold them into a TEAM, 2) the backgrounds of the entire coaching staff are beyond reproach, 3) the focus and effort the coaches place on the details of the game and driving those concepts home at every practice and tournament, and 4) the credibility, connections and access the coaches have to NCAA college recruiters across the country.

Top talent, exceptional coaching, a tireless work ethic and recruiting results

= Alcatraz Outlaws Lacrosse Club!

There are plenty of travel teams to choose from here in the West. My advice to anyone looking to take their game to the highest level is that if the phone call comes inviting you to become part of the Alcatraz Outlaws family YOU ACCEPT! It’s an experience and journey of a lifetime.

On behalf of my family, I want to thank all of you for the opportunity. I only hope you guys will be around long enough for Jake (my 10 year old) to get his shot at playing for you. We’re looking forward to many more good times ahead.

I’m writing to thank you all for your hard work, care and commitment and share my observations and experiences we’ve had since being accepted and joining the Alcatraz Outlaws Lacrosse Club. When selecting a travel club for our son (and in our case, switching from one club to another) there’s the doubt that you are “doing the right thing or making the right choice”. There are so many Lacrosse Travel Club options available now, from existing national and regional clubs to emerging travel clubs, all competing for our players and our dollars. The decision for our family and son came down to selecting an environment where we felt his talents could be developed and utilized to maximize his potential as a lacrosse player and as a young man while at the same time, enjoying himself ! Among our concerns in making the decision were,”would the organization and coaches do what they say they will with the development of my child ?”.

The main consideration for us in selecting a club came down to four main areas 1) Coaching 2) Development 3) Organization and 4) Value. I’ve outlined my thoughts in each area and how we feel the Alcatraz Outlaws program fared.

Coaching:

The depth, experience and commitment of the Outlaws coaching staff is incredible. We couldn’t imagine a better group of coaches aligned together for a lacrosse club, they are some of the most well known, respected, enthusiastic and brightest minds in the sport. The coaches create a very motivational and positive teaching environment that augments my sons strengths and recognize his unique differences as an individual within the team framework. The coaches care about my son and his experience and are constantly asking him “Are you having fun? Are you learning ? Do you feel you are improving ?”. Additionally, we’ve relied on them for advice on camps and most certainly will lean on their expertise as far as other resources including their key connections in the college lacrosse community.

Equally important was the presence of the team of Outlaw coaches at all practices and tournaments. Other local club experiences we’ve seen in our region have one or two high profile coaches as figure heads but they aren’t the ones actually involved in coaching and are often not present at the tournaments. The national travel club utilized parent coaches for the teams (much like most local non travel club teams) many with very little or non-existent lacrosse playing experience and little coaching experience as well. Additionally, most, if not all of the coaches and had their own children on the teams. We appreciate the unbiased, professional coaching and advice our son has received from the Outlaws program.

With our focus being on development, we are pleased that he has such a great group of coaches teaching him how to play the game. The Alcatraz Outlaws didn’t just focus on any one system or scheme but on concepts and making my son a better player for whatever system he may play now or in the future. It’s refreshing to see coaches that realize the coaching isn’t necessarily administered during the game and during it’s critical moments but in small groups on the sideline, after the games and in the practices leading up to the events.

Development and training program:

The development and training programs have been clearly laid out. Practices have not been overly focused on systems and schemes unlike the national club we were with previously. Emphasis is clearly on fundamentals, movement, stick skills, communication and effort. The details are closely scrutinized – an example is a minor arm position correction in my son’s shooting motion which was made by the coaches after noticing on film how an improvement in accuracy could be achieved.

Prior to each practice, an outline is emailed so my son would be prepared as to “what” would be covered during that practice session. My son and the other boys in our carpool would review the plan on the way to practice and talk about how excited they were (or weren’t, depending on the amount of conditioning noted ) for specific drills. During the practice sessions, a dedicated strength and conditioning coach was present and involved with the boys. A unique element of the Outlaws training program was the amount of time spent on stretching, isometrics and sprinting. The conditioning elements were introduced at the beginning, during and at the end of each practice.

The amount of practice sessions we’ve had with the Outlaws more than doubled what we had experienced with our former travel club. The strength and conditioning component was also not incorporated into any training with our former travel club. In addition to field practices, there was indoor box training over an eight week period which was fantastic and this was also unique to our experience with the Outlaws. Another element offered within the Outlaw program were private sessions provided almost daily by one of the coaches. These sessions are confined to groups of six boys and with a unique focus for each session, such as shooting. These training sessions are continuously offered, even though we are between tournaments and in our local club season. The amount of attention and attention to detail during the training program is unrivaled.

After participation in tournaments, the coaching staff provides a written evaluation for each player based on their role and performance within each game of the tournament. The post game written detailed evaluations focused on strengths, weaknesses and areas of focus for continued improvement. The Outlaw development program was truly focused on making my son a better player – not focused on tournament wins and losses.

Organization and administration:

Club communications have been clear and forthright. Expectations for parents, players and the club have been clearly stated. A travel and tournament coordinator assisted us with logistics for each tournament as respects travel, team lodging and team meals. The coaches were always on time and present for practices, dinners and team building events. I’ve heard from many parents how disorganized and chaotic other club experiences have been for them – from having substitute coaches show up at games and not knowing the players to every man for themselves as far as travel and logistics.

Tournament selection has been appropriate for the level of play with attention to competition level and location and a concern for family travel budgets. The Outlaws were concerned about unnecessary travel to remote locations when we could achieve high level tournament play in more localized venues while still maximizing exposure and competitiveness.

Importantly, we have direct communications with the organization and coaches and I feel, as does my son, that he can approach them and ask questions or have a discussion and get meaningful feedback.

Value:

“What do I get for the money ?” The Alcatraz Outlaws program has been a great value. In comparison to other clubs with similar fee structures we feel that we’ve received a far superior product and experience for our son and our family. Clearly, the Club resources are used to secure the most talented and enthusiastic professional coaches in the country. In looking at the coaching, the development and training program and the organization and administration, I don’t believe there is a better value offered on the West Coast, especially for such a complete travel lacrosse club experience. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that we proudly wear our Outlaws gear- our son has been provided high quality game and practice apparel including an oversized travel/gear bag…that actually fits all of his lacrosse gear.

Testimonial:

Our entire family can unequivocally say, the Outlaws program has by far, exceeded our expectations in every criteria area we considered 1) Coaching 2) Development 3) Organization and 4) Value and is one of the best sports experiences we have had in any sports venue or club. My son has definitely improved as a player and his love for the game has increased. Confirming our decision is the fact that our son can’t wait to suit up for practice or games when it’s time for The Outlaws. In fact, we’re in our regular club season now and my son has asked at least three times “when is the next Outlaws practice ?” My son is proud to be an Outlaw and we’re fortunate to have been accepted by such a quality club.