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ULAX Testimonial - Glenn Gertler
5/25/2011
ULAX Testimonial by Glenn Gertler
Running and managing the ULAX Ann Arbor lacrosse league was a challenging and opportunistic experience. It gives league managers a chance to face time-sensitive business management issues as well as marketing issues. I have several pieces of advice to issue to future managers. First, always aim and strive high above minimum requirement numbers. When it comes down to registration, unfortunately many commitments may turn out to be unreliable. Even past this, come season time some registrants may also be unreliable. Next, get started on creating concrete deadlines and league marketing months in advance. When it comes time for actual registration and game play, it really helps if the prospective and actual players have concrete deadlines. This also serves as a testament to the professional level of the ULAX organization.
On the first week of league play, it is very important that those who have not submitted payment are either not allowed to play, or it is to be very clearly understood that if they play, they will be required to pay in full ASAP. It is difficult and less likely to be able to collect checks at the end of the season. The check payment option should be discouraged as much as possible. It is much simpler for both you and the player if payments are submitted via Paypal. This will also reduce end of season stress and task size. Additionally, during the season, updates and game schedule should be posted several days in advance as well. This gives players significant notice to amend their schedules to accommodate ULAX. Also, teams should understand that they have minimally a 24-hour window before scheduled game-time to cancel or postpone.
These teams should also realize that last minute cancellations or postponements cannot always be honored due to the inconvenience it brings about for other teams and the league manager. Otherwise, each league should contain a level of seriousness that parallels the player population. For instance, the Ann Arbor league featured relaxed fraternity players who needed a less structured lacrosse atmosphere. Other leagues might contain teams that practice several times a week and expect a high-rate of play. These leagues should also have a seriousness level that fits these needs. Finally, expect the unexpected and be ready to act on your feet. There will be circumstances that complicate league operations. The important thing is to act in the best of both the players and the business. By keeping both parties in mind, a majority of the interests can be honored.
Glenn Gertler (ULAX Ann Arbor)
League Manager Commentary
5/17/2011
ULAX Bloomington
Working with ULAX has easily been the most beneficial work experience of my life. It has been a major part of every internship/job interview I have had and really gives you something concrete to hold onto. It is hard to understand how a business works without seeing all sides of it which is the best part of working with ULAX. You get to understand and work with different types of marketing and see what really works. You learn how profits are affected differently by certain revenues and expenses. You learn to work with schedules and manage people. Finally you have this great league that literally came from nothing and it is very rewarding. If you end up joining the team no matter what your results are I promise you won't regret it. The best advice I can give you is to always have a backup plan, expect the worst, and don't forget that everyone is here for the same reason, to enjoy the sport we love and relive the glory days.
Peter Rentschler
bye4now12@gmail.com
ULAX and Major League Lacrosse
2/25/2011 (updated 2/26/2011)
February 25, 2011 ... ULAX has officially partnered with Major League Lacrosse. There are many ways in which we can work together in cross promotional opportunities that are sure to expand the game of lacrosse. The deal was struck Friday with Aly Morrissey, Marketing and PR Manager for the MLL.
The MLL has agreed to feature ULAX in several online marketing campaigns as well as provide ULAX with equipment give aways and later ... discount ticket prices. ULAX in return will enhance the exposure of MLL within the league network. The deal was piloted by ULAX CFO Neema Kassaii, who was instrumental in forging the partnership.
Kassaii is also in talks with former MLL player, Chris Massey, who is looking to establish his presence in a ULAX Boston League set to kick off in the summer of 2011. In their meeting, Massey was excited to learn of the ULAX concept and complimentary of the company's philosophy and vision.
The partnership will signify the beginning of a new era for ULAX as the company hopes to employ several former and current Major League players. More to come in the coming weeks ...
For more information on the ULAX-MLL partnership, join the ULAX and MLL Facebook fanpages by visiting the following links:
ULAX: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ULAX/457632935493
MLL: http://www.facebook.com/MajorLeagueLacrosse
- Tim Leonard
ULAX 3.0
11/10/2010 (updated 11/18/2010)
University Lacrosse is launching ULAX 3.0, the most advanced web interface yet. The impact of the site will be one thing, allowing players to interact with photo, video, and statistics of games. This is nothing new to ULAX. The breakthrough is for league managers, and our employee base. In launching 3.0, we are streamlining the process even further. There has never been a better time to set up and operate a league.
We are anticipating further growth as the system evolves and with the release of our new promotional video, explaining what we do, why it works and how to get involved. To be sure not to miss any updates join our facebook page ... search ULAX.
If interested contact us to learn more.
- Tim Leonard
Love for Lacrosse
10/24/2010
After a long season of watching a great friend strike out every batter that came to the plate in 7th grade softball, I decided the next year I would try out lacrosse. I enjoyed playing, and made the decision to play in high school. Each year it grew on me and I began to recognize that lacrosse would play a larger role in my life than I initially anticipated. My junior year is when I decided to take the game seriously. In addition to playing at Rutgers Preparatory School, I played for Tri-State lacrosse, a traveling team that was extremely competitive, and an experience that pushed me to the next level. I began considering playing in college, and eventually committed myself to Lehigh University.
The Division 1 experience was incredible. I was physically challenged like never before through practices, conditioning, and weight lifting. During the four years I played at Lehigh, I experienced great wins and difficult losses, but most importantly learned great leadership skills. Throughout it all, my love of lacrosse continued to grow. Disappointingly, my last game at Lehigh felt like the end of my lacrosse career.
I moved to Chicago to start graduate school at Northwestern University. I inquired about post collegiate leagues, but was unsuccessful in my search. Although the reality that I would not continue to play during my time in graduate school left me feeling incomplete, I was especially exited to be able to watch the number one team in the country play. Northwestern’s women’s team is a powerful lacrosse program that won 5 national championships in a row. It was thrilling watching them play, but I found myself missing the game.
I moved back home after graduation and began volunteer coaching at my old high school. Any chance I could play in practice, or scrimmage with the girls, I would. I missed the competitive play and searched for a post collegiate league once again. A friend of mine thought I should check out ULAX. I went to the website and noticed that they only provided leagues for men. As I read their mission statement, I realized that what they were doing was exactly what I wanted to be doing; providing a league for collegiate and post collegiate players who want a competitive and fun league where they can play lacrosse.
I opted not to send the suggested resume for those interested in job opportunities in the company. Instead, I expressed my love for the sport and my desire to start and run their first women’s league. I received a phone call from the director shortly after. He brought me on board, and the planning and marketing began. I needed a field, and my first thought was to play at Prep. For me, there would be no better place to play than on the beautiful “upper field”, now the turf, where I used to play many of my high school games. I have had a lot of memories on that field, and was excited thinking about the many new ones that were bound to be made.
We expanded our outreach population to include rising high school juniors and seniors who are college bound. We wanted to provide a league where collegiate and post collegiate players could mix in with great high school players for a fun and competitive league. For the first ever women’s ULAX league, we did fairly well, bringing over 70 players that make up 4 teams. The schedule includes 6 regular season games, and a finals game. Players are able to sign up as free agents, in small groups, or as a full team. What is especially exciting for players is that their statistics are recorded and pictures are taken throughout all of the games and then posted on the national website.
To think this all came from picking up a lacrosse stick in 8th grade, and falling in love with the game throughout the years, forces me to slow down and appreciate this experience. The importance of sport in anyone’s life is at times overlooked. It is nice to reflect every once in a while and see how far something has taken you and imagine how far it might. The role that lacrosse has played in my life is special to me, and I look forward to the future possibilities it will offer.
- Vienna Pharaon
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