@Bil #1 The head of their program is someone I consider a friend as well as the Thunderbolts in Alabama. Both individuals have been good to me, the Bandits and EGFL, so I thought it was only fair that representatives from their programs were rewarded scholarships.

@Bill #2 I believe the focus of 10U, 11U, 12U and first year 14"s should be on development and less travel. Unfortunately, the only high level tournaments are Jeff Mac tournaments, which are all over the Midwest. You can drive to most these events but you do need hotel rooms. The cost isn't all that much less than our 16's and 18's.

Personally, I understand the issues with regards to expenses but the high athletic threshold/low cost model sounds good but the players that rise to the top will want better competition and will go somewhere else to find it.

Not sure of the solution but I think we all realize it's a problem and only getting worse.