Boy's HS All State Selection Changes (from 2017)
9/19/2017

At the conclusion of the 2016-17 Spring Boy’s Lacrosse season, many coaches repeated their desire to have changes made to the process for the selection of All State.  There were several very good proposals made and all proposals were considered.  

Though all HS Coaches were invited to attend and contribute, the following coaches sacrificed a Sunday in the summer to do what they feel is best for the sport and for the kids.  Those present at the meeting were Dave Kransberger (Committee Chair- Grand Rapids Christian), Rick DeBlasio (East Grand Rapids), Rich Kimball (Lansing Waverly), Jim Carl (Brighton), Mike Costello (Greenhills), Mat Wilson (Cranbrook), Ajay Chawla (Brother Rice) and Nick Stenson (Birmingham).

 

Thanks to all the coaches that came and to all that submitted their proposals.  The final proposal was presented to the Executive Board of the Association (two of which were part of the group). The Board has approved the recommendations below and this is the process that will be used in 2018.  An evaluation of the process will be reviewed at the year-end meeting next June and  further revisions will be considered at that time. 

 

The following plan was adopted and it is believed that this will recognize the very best players in Michigan.  It also allows for as much collaboration with the US All-American process as possible. 

 

If you have questions or concerns, please direct them to the Committee Chair, Dave Kransberger- VP of the Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Association.

 

 

All State Selection Reform approved by MHSLCA Board

 

  1. The All State honorees will be selected as the best players in the state regardless of their MHSAA divisional alignment (In other words, we will not have Division 1 and Division 2 All State teams) This means that All State will represent the best players in the State. 
  2. All American selections will receive 1st Team All State designation. (If more that the allotted slots for an All-State position earn All American awards, the 1st Team All State positions will be greater than the scheduled allotment. – For example, if 10 Michigan players earn All American at Attack, the 1st Team All State will have 10 rather than 8- See below) The members present believed that the list of All Americans should be the very best players in the state regardless of their division and regardless of an evident concentration of players at one school, region, or ‘side of state’.  It also aligns with the All American process as outlined by USL.
  3. There will be 1st, 2nd , 3rd, and Honorable Mention Teams selected with the following numbers:
    1. 8 Attack
    2. 8 Midfielders
    3. 8 Defensemen
    4. 3 Long Stick Midfielders
    5. 2 Fogo
    6. 2 Defensive Midfielders
    7. 3 Goalies
      1. This means there will be 34 First Team All-State, 34 Second Team All-State, 34 Third Team All-State, and 34 Honorable Mention All-State
      2. Numerically, this reduces the number of All State Honorees from 192 to 136 total. 
      3. The rationale for this is that there seem to be a lot of coaches that considered the All State was over-awarded relative to other sports and that there has been a steady dilution of the honor’s prestige.
  4. Nominations will be due no later than May 12, 2017.  The Association is researching online nominating and voting options for the 2018 season for the committee.  The number of nominations allowed for each team will be based on the following formula: 
    1. Please note that these nominations are based on spring regional seedings (not the seeding within each region).  In other words, once the Regions are seeded, against other Regions, at the conclusion the May seeding meeting, the number of nominations will be determined according to the following format: 
      1. The number one seed in the number one seeded Region in each division will receive 10 nominations
      2. The number one team in the number two seeded Region in each division will receive 8 nominations
      3. The number one team in the number three seeded Region in each division will receive 6 nominations
      4. The number one team in the number 4 seeded Region in each division will receive 4 nominations.
      5. The number one team in the number 5 seeded Region in each division will receive 4 nominations.
      6. The number one team in the number 6 seeded Region in each division will receive 3 nominations.
      7. All other teams in the State will receive 2 nominations.
  5. Selection of All State will be made by a committee of 20 people with the following inclusion guidelines
    1. Each Region in the state of Michigan will have 1 representative on the committee placing 16 members on the committee.  The coaches of the #1 seeded team in each region will serve on the committee.  If unavailable, the coach of the #2 seeded team in that specific region will be asked to serve and so on until all regions are represented.
    2. 2 members will be from the Executive Board of the MHSLCA
    3. 2 At Large Members at the discretion of the Committee Chair
    4. The committee will meet in person or via web conference to make the selection for All State and the All State awards will be announced at the year-end meeting.
    5. Each committee member will present a list of the top 25 players they have seen play in their region as a starting point for the discussion.  The list will only be presented only to committee members.
      1. Coaches from around the state are encouraged to ask committee members to be sure to come and see a player play that they project will be a strong candidate.  This will allow the representative from each region to have a chance to see our best players play. 
      2. The All State nominating form must be filled out completely including detailed player statistics and team performance.
      3. The combination of field observations along with player & team stats  and LaxPower in state ranking (PRI) & Strength of Schedule (SOS) will comprise the primary criteria for player awards 
    6. The All-State Selection Committee will meet on or about May 20, 2018.  This will allow for the All American voting to conclude in advance of our All-State selection meeting.
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