All American Process

October 25, 2016 - US Lacrosse is the sponsor of the annual All American awards which is one of several award categories sponsored for scholastic participants by the national organization.

Lacrosse "areas" petition US Lacrosse for "recognition". An area can be defined in different ways in different parts of the country. For example, in a State with very few lacrosse teams might be an area for consideration. In a place, like central New York, with many teams, a league might serve as an area.

The Numbers

An area must have a minimum of twelve Varsity level teams in order to qualify. A "team" must meet the following tests:

• It must be a Varsity level team, regulated by a school board (public) or governing body (private)
• It must be regulated by state, school or league eligibility rules.
• It must have financial and legal accountability to the school board
• It must be viewed in the same way as any other "Varsity" level sport in the district.

One All American award is generally allowed for each group of six teams. (Allotted numbers are rounded up at .5 or greater and rounded down under .5)

Criteria

Quoting from US Lacrosse:

• Players must be members of their varsity lacrosse team.
• Players must have played in majority of their teams’ games for the current season.
• Players must be significant contributors to their team.
• Players must be of outstanding character and be in good academic standing in their school.
• Any player that has received a diploma from a secondary school will not be eligible for All - American status during post-graduate study.
• While not required, strong consideration is given for players who have received All-State, All-County, or All-District Team in current or previous seasons.
• Sportsmanship and safe play are attributes that must be considered. In this regard, an account of the number Unsportsmanlike fouls attained by a player in the current season should be considered during nomination and voting. If a player has a substantial number of unsportsmanlike fouls, it is recommended that the Chair request testimony from the nominating coach as to how the player’s fouls are not lessening of their sportsmanship.

Selection Procedure

The Varsity coaches in Section Five submit their nominations in writing by Mar 1st. Voting is done at the coaches' post-season meeting by written ballot.

See the All-Academic article for information about that award.