Has it always been your dream to become a college lacrosse player? Fortunately, the number of colleges offering a lacrosse program has been growing. In 2014, there were more than 300 Division I, II, III colleges offering men's lacrosse. In addition, there are also a number of other campuses, including private and junior colleges that also boast lacrosse programs. If you are getting ready to start applying for colleges that offer lacrosse, here are a few tips that could help you land a spot on one of their teams or maybe even a scholarship playing this exciting sport.

Getting Discovered

According to LAX Magazine, it's okay to contact a college lacrosse coach and it may also be the only way that you can get one's attention. While coaches are always on the lookout for great players, they just can't see every player in the nation. So to get on your favorite college's radar, you should:

• Consider making a highlight video that shows off your skills. Then send this video, along with information about your years of experience and your lacrosse accomplishments to coaches at the colleges you are interested in attending. You should also include information about upcoming games or showcases where a coach might be able to see you perform in person. 
• Check to see if the college you would like to attend offers summer recruiting camps. If you do attend one of these camps, make sure to bring the required lacrosse equipment with you, which will typically include a mouth guard, helmet and lacrosse stick. Depending on the camp, you may also need cleats and/or sneakers, shoulder pads, arm pads and gloves. In addition, it's important to have a good attitude on and off the field. You never know when the college coach or his staff members might be watching you and evaluating whether or not you would fit in with their team. 
• Sign up for a college recruiting showcase. These events are typically attended by a large number of college coaches and are a great way to show off your skills to multiple schools at one time. 

Keep Improving

Work hard to become the best player you can be so that when you do have a chance to play in front of a recruiter or coach, you can shine. A few things you can do to improve your game include:

• Join a travel team. By playing against the best, you can hone your own skills. 
• Ensure that you are playing with the right equipment. If you've been playing with a hand-me-down stick or one that you picked up on a whim, you might want to head to a lacrosse store like http://www.breakawaylacrosse.com/ to try out a few different sticks. You might find, for example, that the shaft you've been playing with is better suited to a defender but you're an attacker. Having the right equipment could up your game. 
• Take private lessons and attend lacrosse clinics. Your team coaches only have so much time to work with every member on your squad. That is why it's important to seek out a personal coach who can work with you to make those small corrections that could make a huge difference in your game. 

It's More Than Just Your Game

While being a great goal scorer could get you on a coach's radar, it's important that you know what else you'll need to do in order to play lacrosse in college, especially if you want to play in the NCAA. 

• Make sure to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center before the end of your junior year in high school if you want to play Division I or II lacrosse.
• Keep your grades up so that you will meet the NCAA's requirements for participating in college sports.

With hard work, a little luck and talent, your dreams of becoming a college lacrosse player will hopefully come true in the near future.