Opportunity is beginning to knock for Cranbrook’s Hollister brothers.

The siblings took up the sport of field lacrosse last summer, and Dakota and Keiffer both fielded their first scholarship offers last week.

Keiffer, who’s about to enter Grade 12, received a recruitment letter from a college in Alabama, while the 14-year-old Dakota was offered a scholarship at a preparatory school in North Carolina — effective next month.

“I’m still kind of speechless,” said their mother Shellie. “We know we’re on the right track, and the fact that they love what they’re doing, it’s just a total bonus to get an education paid for out of it — and maybe a career.

“I’m in shock. You preach it and you preach it to people, that there are all these opportunities, so when you actually see it in writing it’s kind of scary.”

The brothers aren’t rushing to make a decision; Dakota wouldn’t mind packing immediately but his parents aren’t in a hurry for him to move away for four years before college.

“I just can’t see Dakota in a suit and tie every day,” Shellie offered, with a chuckle.

The Hollisters sent the information to Elev8 founder and professional lacrosse star Geoff Snider for his advice.

He told them, while a flattering offer, going to high school in the United States would preclude Dakota from playing box lacrosse, which is something that sets Canadian players apart.

Dakota said it was exciting to get that first offer.

“I’m looking forward to when I’m old enough that I’ll actually be able to consider (university offers as well),” said Dakota, who has plenty of time to narrow his choices. For one thing, he wants to become a physiotherapist, so that program is a must for any recruiting school.

The boys got their offers on subsequent days last week, following Elev8 lacrosse camp sessions in Cranbrook. Dakota’s came by e-mail on Friday, a day after Keiffer received his letter.

Shellie had collected the mail Thursday, noticing a piece for Keiffer.

“I never even thought anything of it, so I chucked it on his bed and he comes down a couple of hours later and he has this weird look on his face.”

Keiffer thought it might have had something to do with a traffic ticket he’d just paid off but was surprised to find it was a scholarship offer.

“It had their school colours and stuff all over the paper, so it was pretty exciting,” said Keiffer, who had been spotted at July’s Champ Camp in Baltimore, as a member of the Burnaby Mountain Selects.

“Lots of times they won’t show interest unless you show interest first, like if you e-mail the school,” said Keiffer. “But this came out of the blue. I’d never heard of the school, never contacted them. They must have just liked what they saw.”

He’s been offered an official visit to Alabama in late August, which the school would pay for. An athlete is eligible to take such trips to just three schools during his recruitment; Keiffer probably won’t take advantage right now.

Shellie hopes news of interest in her sons will boost local interest in the field Elite team currently being put together.

She said there have been lots of inquiries from parents since last week’s camp wrapped up.