Why Lacrosse Players Often Become CEOs: The Leadership Connection
Ever wonder why so many business leaders have lacrosse in their background? It’s not just coincidence – there’s something special happening on those lacrosse fields that shapes future leaders in ways few other sports can match.
The Fast-Paced Decision Factory
Picture this: Your child is cradling the ball, scanning the field while defenders approach. In mere seconds, they need to:
- Read the defense’s formation
- Spot their teammates’ positions
- Identify the best scoring opportunity
- Execute a precise pass or shot
Sound familiar? It’s exactly like a CEO analyzing market conditions, assessing team capabilities, spotting opportunities, and making swift decisions. Except in lacrosse, our young players get to practice these skills hundreds of times per game.
Real Leaders, Real Stories
Take Chase Carey, former CEO of DirecTV and COO of News Corporation. During his time playing lacrosse at Harvard, he learned lessons about teamwork and quick thinking that he later credited for his business success. “In lacrosse, like in business, you need to see the whole field,” Carey once noted. “You’re constantly making split-second decisions that impact your entire team.”
Why Lacrosse Creates Leaders
1. Strategic Thinking Under Pressure
Unlike many sports where plays are called from the sideline, lacrosse players make constant strategic decisions during live play. They’re essentially running their own mini-business operations dozens of times per game.
2. Communication is Non-Negotiable
Watch any successful lacrosse team, and you’ll hear constant communication:
- Defenders calling out switches
- Midfielders coordinating transitions
- Attackers signaling cuts and plays
Sound like any effective business meetings you know?
3. Failure is Part of the Journey
Every successful CEO knows that failure is just feedback. In lacrosse, players:
- Miss shots but keep shooting
- Lose possessions but fight to get them back
- Learn from mistakes in real-time
- Develop resilience through challenges
Beyond the Field: Life Skills That Last
The leadership skills developed through lacrosse extend far beyond game day:
🔹 Adaptability: Plans change mid-play, just like they do in business 🔹 Initiative: Players learn to seize opportunities without waiting for permission 🔹 Teamwork: Success requires coordinating with others toward a common goal 🔹 Resilience: Every ground ball is a lesson in never giving up
The Numbers Tell the Story
- 55% of Fortune 500 executives played sports in college
- Lacrosse players are particularly well-represented in:
- Financial services
- Technology
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
What This Means for Your Child
When you’re considering lacrosse for your child, you’re not just signing them up for a sport – you’re enrolling them in an advanced leadership development program disguised as a game. They’ll learn to:
- Make decisions under pressure
- Communicate effectively with peers
- Develop strategic thinking skills
- Build resilience through challenges
- Lead by example
- Work within a team
The Bigger Picture
While not every lacrosse player becomes a CEO (and that’s perfectly fine!), they all develop the essential skills that businesses value. Whether your child dreams of running a company or simply wants to be their best self, lacrosse provides the perfect training ground for future success.
Taking the First Step
Remember, every successful leader started somewhere. Maybe for your child, that somewhere is a lacrosse field, where they’ll:
- Build confidence through skill development
- Learn to think strategically
- Develop leadership abilities naturally
- Join a community that values growth and character
The best part? They’ll be having too much fun to realize they’re developing the same skills that business schools teach in executive leadership programs.
Ready to give your child the leadership advantage that comes with lacrosse? The field is calling, and future leaders are made every day in this fastest game on two feet.
Because in lacrosse, like in business, success comes from seeing the whole field and making smart decisions under pressure. And those are skills worth developing early.
