Rochester, NY — July 7, 2016 – Building off of the momentum of the excellent success from last year’s lacrosse program, FCA announces the upcoming August 2016 boys tryouts on August 13 and 14, 2016, at McQuaid Jesuit High School. The 2015 tryouts included a record number of 407 participants. Girls tryouts to be announced at a later date.
“Last year was the strongest turnout to date, with nine grades trying out the same weekend. We had made significant changes to our tryout process following our 2014 tryouts, which met with great results. Although there is no perfect tryout, we are excited about the great job our evaluators and coaches did in selecting the teams,” said Solomon Bliss, FCA’s Regional Community and Camps Coordinator.
Adjustments continue to be made to the tryout process to accommodate the increased demands and growing numbers of interested players. And, Bliss is grateful to the other local clubs outside our region who have stepped forward to collaborate which he said has been instrumental in helping FCA run the best tryouts possible.
There are countless lacrosse clubs on the east coast, yet there is something that makes FCA distinct from the others, which is a reason why Gene Peluso, the men’s lacrosse coach at Stevens Institute of Technology, traveled from New Jersey to help evaluate at last year’s tryouts. “FCA Lacrosse is an excellent program that mentors their student athletes in many areas. The leadership, coaching staff and level of play is superior. I have serious respect for FCA because they are not just helping student-athletes become great lacrosse players, but they are also helping them grow into great young adults.
“My experiences with FCA Lacrosse and the FCA organization has been positive and very rewarding. I am always very impressed with the FCA Lacrosse program and their players and coaches. FCA Lacrosse = FUN POSITIVE LACROSSE,” Peluso said.
Bliss is expecting an even larger turnout than last year as word of FCA’s unique program continues to spread. “The coaches are encouraged by the kids that continue to develop as players and as young men, and I am excited about how our coaches mentor them and genuinely care about them on a weekly basis. While we recognize that we may not offer a roster spot to every kid at tryouts, and that not every player offered a roster spot will choose FCA, it is always our goal to make it a fun weekend of lacrosse for everyone who comes out to be a part of the process,” Bliss said.
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ – to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
More information can be found at FCA.org.