Crossfire to participate in 2008-09 Red Bull League
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(June 15, 2008) As a result of the good showing by the Crossfire Premier U15 and U16 girls in this years Red Bull National League, Crossfire has been asked back to participate in next years league (2008-2009). The league just concluded included 18 teams from across the country, representing 9 Eastern and 9 Western team, who met three times throughout the year to determine a league champion. These teams predominently were ranked within the top 25 teams in the country. The national events were in Las Vegas NV, Pleasanton CA, and Piscataway NJ, with all East Coast teams playing all West Coast teams in bracket play. Playoffs then determined the final Red Bull Champions, along with final standings. This year Crossfire Premier G91 McCormick finished in 6th place, with Crossfire Premier G92 Schmetzer finishing in 8th place. Considering the competition, both outstanding results.
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The Red Bull League has become the major recruiting opportunity for colleges. Because the best teams in the country are in the same place at the same time; 100’s of college coaches attend each event.
Dick McCormick, coach of the Çrossfire Girls U16 team said, "at last weeks event in New Jersey, in which there were over 300 college coaches, I was approached by at least 15 schools with specific interest in our players. This is highly unusual for a U16 team. I can only imagine what the interest will be in our U17 year, which is the predominant year in which coaches and players connect. Although this years U16 players are mostly sophomores in high school, by this time next year many of our players will already have scholorships offered and be very close to deciding where they will go go college; if not already committed."
The 2008/2009 Red Bull season will include 32 teams with tournament events in San Diego CA, Raleigh NC, Las Vegas NV and Piscataway NJ; allowing both east and west coast colleges to see the best players efficiently which is a reason why so many college coaches attend. Crossfire Premier is the only Washington State club represented in the Red Bull League.
The Red Bull League most likely is the precursor to a national league structure similar to the Academy for boys. Said Dick McCormick, "it may happen as early as the fall of 2009". The premise is that a national league would encourage good teams to get even better by playing consistently good competition. In a national league structure, teams would most likely not play in local leagues or tournaments, opting for a national schedule of 30-35 games throughout the year and throughout the country. It is expected, though, that girls would continue to play in high school, unlike the boys in the current Academy structure.
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