The Most Complete College Preparatory Program

The Buffalo Lacrosse Academy (BLA) is one of oldest and most complete college lacrosse preparatory programs in the nation. The centerpiece of its program is Team Buffalo and its other Select teams. These are regional teams comprised of athletes from Western NY and Southern Ontario who come from all walks of life who share a common passion for lacrosse and eagerness to play college lacrosse. The only prerequisites to try out for one of the these teams is a

• 100% commitment to team practices and tournaments
• Possess strong moral character and work ethic including dressing and acting for success
• Desire to play college lacrosse
• Open to new ideas and people
• Willing to adopt “team-first” philosophy

Summer Experience

The BLA is committed to offering a summer experience unrivaled. If you are selected for one of these teams you will be provided with:

Coaching, Character, College, Career

This is more than just the BLA motto, it is our mission. Each athlete will attend a college information night; have access to a password protected classroom with valuable lacrosse, character building, college and career information. Each summer the BLA arranges numerous guest speakers in particular college coaches and whenever possible we tour college campuses. We co-host the area’s largest college recruited event. Most importantly, the BLA strives to ‘coach’ its athletes during high school and beyond in character, college and career. We have an amazing BLA college alumni network for are reason!

Not a Coach, But a Team of Coaches

The BLA has one of the largest and quite possibly the most lacrosse diversified staffs in the nation. Between our Skill School and Teams, each summer over 30 dedicated coaches who are all highly proven lacrosse players and teachers participate in the BLA. This staff includes positional specialists, team head coaches, parent coordinators and a dedicated staff member who serves as the college lacrosse coordinator.

Amazing Competition and Travel Experiences

Our teams Compete in 3 or 4 of the most competitive tournaments in the nation (with bus transportation in some cases). Team Buffalo and the other u18 teams only attend college recruited events, including the GAIT CUP, the most recruited event of the summer and attend fall lacrosse tournaments.

Huge Alumni Network and Playing Experiences

The BLA even hosts its own post-high school alumni league comprised entirely of current and former college lacrosse players. By joining the BLA you gain access to this amazing alumni network of current and past college players. Some u18 Select team members and all of Team Buffalo have an opportunity to compete in this league to test and improve their abilities against college talent. Each year BLA athletes find themselves visiting alumni on their college campuses, have access to their Facebook page and can contact them for advice.

By Far the Best Training Anywhere

Each athlete trains twice as week where individual and group skills are worked on. By having so many teams, there are weekly intra-BLA team scrimmages. Team Buffalo has the amazing experience of playing in the BLA Alumni league against ALL CURRENT college lacrosse players! Many athletes also attend a 3-full day skills training camp in July.

Fun, Family and Friends

The BLA prides itself on hosting the biggest and best team and program-wide picnics. We support friends and families who may have special needs and strive to make sure lacrosse fun is not lost in competition.

Summer Format

U18 Team Buffalo (Top 20+ players regardless of grade)
Team Buffalo is comprised of the top 20+ players regardless of their grade. The team competes on the national stage in the most competitive national recruiting tournaments with the greatest likelihood of college exposure. Team Buffalo Tournaments are:

• Lake Erie Showcase and Festival (25 college coaches in 2010)
• GAIT Cup @ Gettysburg College (the number 1 college recruited event of the summer – over 125 college in 2010) http://www.gaitcup.com/index.php
• Syracuse Shootout  @ Syracuse University (over 65 college coaches in 2010) http://www.sulacrossecamps.com/summershootout1.html
• Albany Power Shootout @ RPI (Program event – including pictures and each player will receive game DVD) http://www.albanypowerlacrosse.com/Summer_Shootout.html
• Optional Fall  - Ultimate Performance Lacrosse @ Annapolis – (November tournament, bus transportation provided to Annapolis Maryland) http://www.uplax.com/summer11/index.php
• Optional Fall – Mid-Summer Classic @ UMASS – (November tournament, over 75 college in 2010 bus transportation provided) http://www.midsummer-classic.com/registration-fall/

U18 Rising Seniors / Rising Juniors (Top Current Juniors and Sophomores)
Our Select Team is comprised of the top 20+ current juniors players. The team competes on the national and regional stage at both recruiting and traditional tournaments. Everyone on this team is able to attend ‘optional’ events, play on the fall teams, and fill in on Team Buffalo when needed.

• Lake Erie Showcase and Festival (25 college coaches in 2010)
• Syracuse Shootout  @ Syracuse University (over 65 college coaches in 2010)
• Albany Power Shootout @ RPI (Program event – including pictures and each player will receive game DVD)
• Optional - Patriot Games (http://patriotgameslax.com/)
• Optional Fall - Ultimate Performance Lacrosse @ Annapolis – (November tournament, bus transportation provided to Annapolis Maryland) http://www.uplax.com/summer11/index.php
• Optional Fall – Mid-Summer Classic @ UMASS – (November tournament, over 75 college in 2010) http://www.midsummer-classic.com/registration-fall/

U16 Rising Sophomores (Top Current Freshman) and U16 Rising Freshman (Top Current 8th graders)
Our Rising Sophomores Team is comprised of the top 20+ current freshman players.  The team competes on both the national and regional stage at traditional tournaments with an eye towards improvement for future recruiting tournaments.

Our U15 Team is primarily comprised of the top 20+ 8th grade players. (Note: 7th graders are welcome and have made the team in the past).  The team competes at both national and regional fundamental skills development tournaments with an eye towards individual and team skills improvement, competitive rivalry, and developing a love of the game.  Rising Sophomores and Rising Freshman Tournaments are:

• Lake Erie Showcase and Festival (link: www.lakeerieshowcase.com)
• New England Youth Lax Shootout (link: http://www.neylat.com/)
• Albany Power Shootout (Program event – including pictures and video)
• Patriot Games (http://patriotgameslax.com/)

U14 Rising Stars (Current 7th graders)

Our U14 Team is primarily comprised of the top 20+ current 7th grade players.  (Note: 6th graders are welcome and have made the team in the past.) The team is designed to provide an opportunity to 12 and 13 year olds to compete at both national and regional fundamental skills development tournaments with an eye towards individual and team skills improvement, competitive rivalry, and developing a love of the game.  All Select team players must first be members of the Rising Stars Summer Program. 

• Lake Erie Showcase and Festival (link: www.lakeerieshowcase.com)
• Albany Power Shootout (Program event – including pictures and video)
• Patriot Games (http://patriotgameslax.com/)

Fall Format

In the fall, the BLA will travel to u18 tournaments for those able to commit.  More forthcoming in the summer.

Tryout Process | register now

All U18 and U16 Players - Sign up for a 1-day tryout to take place in March.  After this tryout the player will be sent an email indicating whether they made their respective team or not.  For those making a team, a $200 non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve thier roster spot."

All U14 Players should sign up for the U14 Rising Stars Program, and athletes will be selected from the program to fill the U14 Travel Select Team (see summer format above). There are NO winter tryouts for this team.

If you have any questions about the tryout process, do not hesitate to contact us.