by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Are you ready?

Yes, I’m talking to you and no, this isn’t a rhetorical question.

I know you’re pumped to start the season, but do have everything in order? Has your roster been certified and approved by Eligibility Coordinator Doug Carl? Is your schedule correct in Arbiter so that officials are showing up on the right day and the right time?

Is your shot clock in proper working order? Do you have someone to work it at the table?

The list goes on, and its stuff you don’t want to be worrying about once the season starts because failure to check these boxes now will have repercussions – some of them quite serious.

This shouldn’t be taken as a threat, because I’m sure you’re on the case. It's just a reminder to not let these little things fall between the cracks now so that you are scrambling later.

Most importantly, if you need help, ask for it. There are numerous resources at the disposal of MCLA player representatives and coaches to ensure you’ve got everything handled appropriately.

As mentioned before, if you have a question about eligibility or you need that certification, drop Doug Carl an email. If you want to make sure Arbiter is correct after tweaking the schedule, contact your assignor.

If you need to change a number, height, weight, hometown and/or high school on your roster or need to tweak a time or location on your schedule, send the alterations to [email protected].

Use the resources at your disposal to make sure everything is squared away for what should be a fantastic season of MCLA action.

Awards
While we’re in the process of reminding players and coaches, just a head’s up that we will have two weekly awards and one monthly award in both divisions this spring.

The Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour will be returning this season, so coaches should plan on getting their nominations to [email protected] by noon on Monday.

This spring we’ll be adding the Guardian Pearl Goalie of the Week honors that provide distinction for netminders each week in addition to “field” players. Those nominations should be done the same as the Commanding Performance.

The US Lacrosse Player of the Month nominations will be due at the end of the month, starting in February.

Scores
Scores are the lifeblood of the league and this website once the season starts. That’s why there has been such a primacy put on getting scores (within one hour after the game’s completion) and stats (48 hours after the game finishes).

The stats really shouldn’t be a problem, but the one-hour rule can be more difficult, especially if it’s a neutral site game or you’ve got a tailgate with the parents after the game or you’ve got to make a run for sandwiches.

If your team or coach finds itself in that situation, just email a line score (score by quarters) and the final score to [email protected] and we’ll get your score up on the site.

This Weekend
If you’ve been following our Twitter and Instragram accounts, you know that we’re nearly to the first day of official #MCLAction. This weekend we’ll kick things off with four games on Saturday followed by two more on Sunday.

Four of the seven games come in the Lone Star Alliance with the other two taking place in the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference. Check back here for the results.

Keep in Your Thoughts
A couple of weeks ago, Missouri State coach Dustin Rich lost the love of his life – his wife, Ali – to cancer. She was just 31. He and his two young boys are obviously coping with a new reality. Keep them in your thoughts and drop Coach Rich a note if you get the chance.