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Why Parents and Players Are Saying About Team NorCal

What Parents and Players Are Saying

Team NorCal is an amazing program centered on the most important principles: teaching young players to be hard-working, patient, respectful athletes, and teammates. One of our favorite things about the Team NorCal philosophy is that it remains grounded in fundamentals: you don't over-hype expectations, you remind the families & players consistently of what is important-- always putting forth your best effort, persevering, being proud of both wins & losses, always learning from every game.

 Bill Glazier's amazing organizational talent makes it very easy on us as parents to participate. We also enjoy the family focus of the program—as a family we've met so many fantastic people who have become great friends. We look forward to each and every tournament (and the NorCal hospitality tents rock). 

 

Kim & Matt Isola

Team NorCal 2015

Fremont, CA

 

 

"Our family has had a wonderful experience being part of Norcal this year.  Bill and all the coaches do a fantastic job not just in coaching but in creating a community.  My son really enjoyed making new friends/teammates and we enjoyed getting to know the parents.  The practices and tournaments are so much fun, my son had a blast.  We are looking forward to more years of being part of the NorCal community".

 

Tom Le, 2020 Parent

San Jose California

 

 

Thank you for all you have done for Team NorCal. The opportunities Jake has had since joining the team 3 years ago have been fantastic. Travelling to Dallas, Vail, North Carolina and Baltimore were fun and successful for each trip.  The friends he has made will last a lifetime and the experiences he had will be forever treasured-winning in Baltimore, really?  Although the focus is not on winning, success at any tournament is fun. And although Jake started out as the only Red Hawk on the team, his great experience led to 5 Red Hawks being on the latest iteration. More importantly, the coaching-paid and non-parent-makes all the difference to the kids. No favoritism and focus on the team as opposed to an individual is what they will experience in high school. 

 

Bob Steinbock

2017 Parent

Los Gatos, California

 

Thank you Bill for another great summer, our third. We felt this was the best year yet for our son. We loved the level of competition at the tournaments, the travel and getting to know the rest of the kids and families. I felt that the staff, particularly Matt with the 2019 team, did a tremendous job. I was so happy to see both our son approaching his and other coaches for advise and the coaches including Harman, Mengis, Brick, and Gary all taking the time to "coach" a young kid if he saw a teaching moment during the game or a practice. Thanks again for another fantastic year.

 

Mark Baginski

2019 Parent, Santa Cruz, California

 

Susan and I can't say enough about the Team Norcal program.  In the two years since Christian joined, he has become a completely different player.  As a kid who has played football since he was seven years old, he immediately gravitated to the defense position and loved mixing it up physically but didn't really understand how to use his stick.  The coaches for Team Norcal taught him defensive skills that have really added another dimension to his game.  The tournaments are a great opportunity to refine those skills against quality opponents.

 Great coaching and talented teammates have made a winning combination for Christian.  Keep up the good work.

 

Susan and Mike Rider, 2017 Parents 

Palo Alto

 

Our son enjoyed the program immensely.  The mature coaches teach skill, sportsmanship, and how to balance fun with hard work.  We have been part of the program for a few years, and will continue until our son has "aged out"... highly recommended.

 

Linda Miola Furrier, U11 Parent

Palo Alto, California

 

Team NorCal has been a fantastic for my son Andrew who is in the 2020 class.  He started playing lacrosse 4 years ago and was looking for opportunities to play year round with Bay Area players who had strong stick skills and a passion for the game.  He just finished up his first season with Team NorCal, and it exceeded our expectations.  The coaches were fantastic and really helped him raise his game in multiple areas.  Playing 15 games in 3 weekends during the summer provided Drew with fantastic in-game experience, and he further developed his skills against strong opponents all while having a blast with his team-mates throughout the weekends.  As a parent, the pre-tournament organization, the hospitality and support during the events and the overall experience was A+!

 

Carl Showalter, 2020 Parent

Los Altos, California

 

The NorCal Lacrosse program has been a great experience for my son.  They have a great set of coaches that are interesting in supporting his long-term development in the sport, and his skills are improving rapidly.  There is a great community of players and families, and my son loves being on the team, and we love watching him play.  

 

Neal Kaufman, 2019 Parent

Burlingame, California

 

 

Our son, Ben, has grown so much as a player because of the outstanding coaches for his U11 Norcal team. He loves attending practices and tournaments with Norcal because the other players are welcoming; the competition is top quality; and the learning is nonstop.

 

Thanks to Bill Glazier, the executive director, and the entire Norcal coaching staff for making my son's experience absolutely great.

 

Melissa Scheve, 2020 Parent

Palo Alto, CA

 

All I can say for the Nor Cal program that you've headed up is that our son LOVES it. He can't say enough about the coaches, his teammates, the competition and the program in general. I think of all the sports he participates in this team is his favorite and he looks forward to playing on in 2011 and continuing to improve and grow with the boys.

Thanks for helping make this program a reality for the kids. It's truly the highlight of the year for them . . .

 

Jim Whims

Los Gatos, Calfornia

 

The NorCal program is the best lacrosse opportunity our son has experienced. The coaches and the players created a new extended lacrosse family for him where he created new bonds of friendship and experienced a brotherhood for which he hopes to be able to carry and promote this same feeling back on his own club team. He experienced the highest level of respect for the game which motivated him to excel as an individual as well as a teammate. The NorCal experience is one he will strive to achieve for again in each coming year. ??Thanks again for everything you do for this program! ??

Sharon Christman

Walnut Creek, California

 

We just wanted to let you know what a great time our U13 son had as a member of U13 NorCal Blue team. As a parents , we really appreciate  the life lessons and integrity including the sportsmanship you and your staff imparted during the NorCal program. Friendships made are for the life time.

 

Thanks again - our son and many other young lacrosse players said they would definitely want to sign up again and tryout again for the next season."

 

The Hermans

Stuart Hall Lacrosse

 

 

Thank you so much for all of your hard work, dedication and time devoted to Norcal. My son Nathan had such a wonderful meaningful positive experience.  

 

The memories, friendships, coaching and skills development, and opportunity will last a lifetime. Both Nathan and I recognize what a privilege it is to participate in Norcal; and we are forever grateful.

 

Thanks for creating this opportunity for Nathan and all of the boys.

 

 

Ken Brickman

Lamorinda  California

 

Nor Cal has been a wonderful experience for our son.  He has had the benefit of excellent coaching and the experience of playing with accomplished teammates from all over the Bay Area.  The club is extremely well-organized and it is a great way for an aspiring lacrosse player to expand his or her skills, play in competitive tournaments, and improve as an well-rounded athlete.  We look forward to continued involvement with the club. 

Josefa Buckingham

Ross Valley, California 

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I had an excellent time with the Norcal Team. It was very well organized and we participated in some highly competitive tournaments. Team Norcal gave me the chance to challenge myself against other high level lacrosse teams which made me a much better player. Our team had a great time together and everybody really pushed each other to get better. The coaches taught us a lot and brought out the best in us. If you get the chance to play on this team, I highly recommend it.

Robbie Stern

Orinda, California

 

The Norcal program was a great experience not only for my son but for our entire family.  Our entire family traveled to the Festival tournament in Ohio. In addition to the great lacrosse the trip was probably one the best family vacation.  The Norcal program is well run,  has great coaching and a great way for kids to meet others.

John and Kathy Maddalon

Diablo Scorpions Alamo, California

 

We have only great things to say about Griffin's experience with the team. Bill, you were sooo organized, so supportive of the guys and so fair with them that I wish you could be a clone for other coaches. The camaraderie that you nurtured right away was key to creating a team of guys who genuinely cared about each other and quickly.

As far as logistics are concerned, it could be a tough haul for families living far from PA and without other boys in the area to share the driving burden with, but frankly, it would just be more family time if you had to do all the driving, and that's not a bad thing.

 

The program gave Griffin tremendous confidence and helped every aspect of his game when he played with his school team. The expense, the time and effort are so worthwhile for the boys and the families, I believe. The experience in NY was just so memorable for Griffin and is not something you can buy, really. Griffin LOVED every minute of it.

 

Thanks again, Bill.

 

Laura Hunt

Town School, San Francisco, California

 

PJ loved playing in Lake George.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chaperone, so I got to see everything firsthand.  The level of play was high.  The competition was good, and the games were pretty evenly matched.  The NORCAL coaching and organization were great.  The team really came together in their pre-festival practices, and the travel, soft goods, and tournament paperwork---and the other million-and-one things required to take two Lax teams, coaches, and chaperons across the country to play 14 games in one weekend---were amazingly well done.  The festival was also very well run.  The facility---a converted Adirondack farm just east of Lake George---was attractive and comfortable.   The staff were friendly and helpful, and the whole environment was encouraging and just generally fun.   PJ's aged out, or we'd be trying to figure out a way for him to go again.   ???Thanks for all your hard work,

Paul Titterton

Menlo Park, California

 

We would love to comment on Stephen's experience over the last two years playing for you on both the U13 and U15 Festival teams.  Stephen had a great time playing for different coaches and different players from so many different clubs.  He developed a greater love and respect for the game by playing against a variety of teams back east.  Last year especially on one of the U15 Festival teams, since he was one of the younger and smaller players, he had to play that much harder to keep up with the level of play in the game.  We believe that this experience playing with older and bigger boys improved his game and sharpened his skills to make him a stronger attackman this current year.  In addition to the his skill development, Stephen, as well as our entire family, enjoyed making so many new lacrosse friendships throughout the Bay area.    

 

We also can't thank you enough personally for all that you have done to make the Festival experiences so special for Stephen and so many other young lacrosse players in the Bay area.  Bill, you are one of a kind and we are delighted that you will lead the NorCal Festival teams once again.,  Both Festivals remain some of Stephen's fondest lacrosse memories. 

 

Mary Kay and Ted Wilm

Diablo Scorpions

 

Danny is very grateful for the time that you and Greg and the other coaches and players devoted to helping him improve his game. I think it made a critical difference in his confidence level as well as his skills, and may well have made the difference for him making it into that very competitive program (St Ignatius). So on behalf of Danny and our family, I want to thank you and all the coaches and parents who made your program so positive and fun for the kids and parents alike. He'll always remember his time in Lake George, and we both had a great time in Palm Desert.

Dan Casey

SF Earthquakes Lacrosse

 

The Nor Cal experience was great for parents as well as our boys. Watching our kids all blend and bond with players from all over Northern California was very special. Bill and his crew are wizards at logistics and coordinating all of the details. Its was an honor and a pleasure to be apart of the Nor Cal team. If you have an opportunity to join in on this you will not be disappointed.

Lydia Delis-Schlosser

Davis California

 

 

My son had only played a season of lacrosse before playing fall ball and then getting the opportunity to play on the NorCal team with Coach Bill.  We played in the Turkey Shoot Out tournament over Thanksgiving weekend in Palm Desert and had a blast.  My son was able to play with a higher caliber of boys as well as getting the opportunity to play against some amazing teams.  At first he was a bit intimidated but by the end of the weekend the tournament pushed him to play harder, increased his confidence in skills, and formed a bond and new friendship with boys he would have never had the opportunity to meet without playing with NorCal.  I personally would recommend anyone who has the chance for their son to play to go for it!!!

 

Amy Morris

Firehawks Lacrosse Redwood City, California

 

Noah still talks about the experience with the NorCal team and all the tremendous relationships he developed through his participation on the team.  Thanks again

 

Kevin Wolthausen

Napa Lacrosse

 

My son, Jack, played in the Ohio and in the Palm Desert tourneys and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  Quite frankly, he was a little?apprehensive the first year about making the commitment with a group of?players, many of whom he didn't know.  But by the time the tourney came, he?had become good friends with all of them, and looked back with pride and?pleasure on the experience.  The caliber of play was extremely high, yet the?coaches managed to keep it mostly about having fun and learning.  His teams?did well both years....   Some teams were definitely a bit more advanced (those nasty East Coast teams!), but the NorCal teams held their own and won more than their fair share.  And again, did it all while having fun.  It was nice to get to meet and know many of the parents as well.  It really?felt like a great "lacrosse family."

John Boyle

Menlo Park, California

 

 

Dear Coach Bill,The Nor Cal Festival Team experience was awesome! The coaches were great; I?learned a lot about lacrosse and life; improved my game and made new friends. I had a great experience and I hope we go to Palm Springs next year so we can all hang out and play together again.

Mikie Schlosser#59 Attack/Midfield?Davis Lacrosse