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Lacrosse Academy Overview
No other lacrosse academy or boarding school provides a campus environment quite like IMG Academy. From training alongside student-athletes from around the globe with the same aspirations and goals to learning directly from former NCAA champions and Hall-of-Fame coaches, IMG lacrosse provides the ideal platform to prepare for the next level.
With an emphasis on individualized player development as well as academic excellence, IMG Academy lacrosse student-athletes understand the skill sets necessary to reach their full potential while also learning the key factors that allow them to be widely recruited. With a training and competition schedule that mirrors that of a collegiate program, IMG lacrosse student-athletes develop a foundation that ensures they're prepared and confident as they enter the next level of their career.
Read more about the IMG Academy lacrosse program from Inside Lacrosse.
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Official 2019 Pre-season Training Destination of the Premier Lacrosse League
Lacrosse Program Structure
IMG Academy’s boys lacrosse program’s year-round training regimen incorporates foundational, position-specific skill work, strategic development, mental toughness and leadership skills, and competitive situations against some of the nation’s most competitive schools and academies.
The program also places a significant emphasis on academics and college placement. Each student-athlete has a support system around them inclusive of lacrosse coaches, strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainers, teachers, college advisors, and more to aid in the developmental process that includes:
- An individual lacrosse developmental plan
- A team tactical periodization plan
- An individual tactical periodization plan
- An athletic and Academy personal development plan
IMG Academy lacrosse student-athletes focus not only on tangible skills such as passing, shooting, defense, and transition, but they will also develop the mindset and characteristics that allow them to be successful at the next level, such as confidence, work ethic, strategy, and more.
- Take care of the ball
- Make correct decisions on the field
- Use their physical condition and stamina to their advantage
Box Lacrosse
IMG Academy incorporates elements of box lacrosse into its training, a methodology commonly utilized by top division 1 programs to prepare for outdoor competition and the regular season. With 5v5 indoor competition, box lacrosse is much quicker, as the ball is always in play off the boards, passing and shooting are confined to a limited area, and players will get more reps while becoming more confident with their stick work as well.
IMG Academy Lacrosse Teams
With both a National and Varsity team, IMG lacrosse provides the nation’s most effective training environment for student-athletes.
National Team
IMG Academy lacrosse’s National Team plays against some of the nation’s most competitive teams through both head-to-head games as well as tournaments. National Team student-athletes focus on the college recruitment process as well as furthering their skill sets to prepare for the next level. This team’s challenging schedule allows for academic, athletic, and personal growth and has led to the success of alumni during their collegiate career as well as on their national teams.
Varsity Team
Varsity Team student-athletes experience the same training and development atmosphere as the National Team while competing against teams that align closely with their level. The Varsity Team has an annual competition schedule, inclusive of regional and local games as well as national tournaments. Student-athletes learn the lacrosse IQ, game tactics, and overall strategy necessary to compete at the collegiate level while also ensuring they have solid foundational skills.
Program Highlights and Sample Schedule
Fall
- Team meetings
- Conditioning and strength training begin along with player evaluations
- Coaches will begin to learn each student-athlete's game and will structure practices to ensure complete on-field development and progression
- Fall competition along with 2-3 recruiting showcase events
- Compete against local colleges to heighten level of play and obtain feel for the next level
Winter
- Spring training begins to prepare for upcoming competition
- Conditioning elements and APD components continue to be incorporated into scheduling
Spring
- Full schedule of games for the spring season
- Trips to schools and tournaments in the northeast to take on the best in the country
- Past notable competition has included:
- Phillips Exeter (NH), Everest Academy (Canada), Geico National High School Lacrosse Tournament (DC), Atlantic Coast Prospect Games (ACPG), Patriots Cup (Dallas), Valor (Colorado), St. Ignatius (Chicago), and Jacksonville University Moe's South Classic
Athletic and Personal Development
Athletic and Personal Development plays an integral role in the overall development of each lacrosse student-athlete. Athletic and Personal Development coaches focus on crucial areas specific to lacrosse such as mental toughness, movement, strength & conditioning, leadership, life skills and character development, and more to ensure that student-athletes not only have an advantage over the competition but understand what it takes to succeed in college and in life.
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Academics
Grades 6-12
IMG Academy’s collegiate-style schedule provides the ultimate preparation for student-athletes to succeed at the next level. Lacrosse student-athletes have the ability to select their courses and electives to identify their areas of interest ahead of enrolling into the collegiate program that best aligns with their academic and athletic goals.
View Grades 6-12 CurriculumPost-Graduate
Post-graduate student-athletes will excel and improve their game without jeopardizing their NCAA eligibility. Post-graduates have an opportunity to practice and compete with the National or Varsity teams. The program’s environment mirrors that of a collegiate experience, allowing post-graduates to prepare for their next steps while gaining access to an extensive network of collegiate programs. IMG post-graduates also have an opportunity to earn college credit or focus on improving their standardized testing scores, and our College Planning & Placement Department supports each individual throughout their journey.
Learn More about Post-GraduateTechnology & Facilities
- Two dedicated lacrosse fields (both grass and turf) along with 20+ multi-sport fields
- Lacrosse-specific turf field for showcased games
- Covered turf facility
- Field House with professional locker rooms, lacrosse coaches' offices, and team meeting rooms for practice and game video analysis and review
Performance and Sports Science Center
- Mind Gym for mental conditioning sessions and vision training
- Fit Lights, dynaBOARD, and cognitive perceptive technology
- Yoga studio
- Strength and conditioning equipment
- Classrooms for nutrition and leadership training
- Athletic training facility for recovery and regeneration, including hot and cold tubs
Lacrosse Academy Photo Gallery
Meet the Director: Tom Marechek
IMG Academy announced the addition of National Lacrosse League and US National Lacrosse hall of famer Tom Marechek as Director of Lacrosse. In his role, Marechek will oversee all aspects of the IMG Academy lacrosse program for boarding school, camps, professional player training and events
Coach Spotlight
Tom Marechek - Director
Tom was a four time NCAA All American at Syracuse University. After college, Tom played 12 years for the professional indoor team, the Philadelphia Wings who retired his number in 2006. He was inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in 2007, US National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2012.
Lacrosse Coaches & Staff
Notable Lacrosse Program College Commitments
Student-athletes receive guidance from college placement specialists and sport coaches for reaching their goal of playing their sport at the collegiate level. This work begins when a student enters upper school at grade 9 and above.
Testimonials
- Colin Prince IMG Academy AlumnusI always thought that once I committed, I would leave IMG to go back home, but after one year, I can’t go back – I love this place! It’s home now!
- Marc Pion IMG Academy AlumnusI feel like IMG has helped me to grow so much as a person, as a student and as a lacrosse player. I think the way that you're surrounded by the best-of-the-best in everything from training, to practices and academics, and that people are here to help you achieve your goals really helps you aspire to the next level.
- Ben French IMG Academy AlumnusI owe much of my success to the innovative education and training programs at IMG Academy. My three years at IMG contributed significantly to my development as a student, athlete, lacrosse player, and as a person. I felt unbelievably prepared when I walked on campus as a Freshman and earned a starting position on the team.
