Andy Lopez, Malone University Sport Management
LACROSSE DAILY
In a move that could reshape the future of college lacrosse, the SEC (Southeastern Conference) is exploring adding lacrosse to the NCAA, as its member schools currently compete in the MCLA as club programs. The SEC is known for their dominance in football, basketball, and baseball; if they join for lacrosse, it could be a major shift in the lacrosse world.
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THE WHY
Lacrosse is currently dominated by the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions; powerhouses like Maryland, Duke, Syracuse, and John Hopkins are consistently the best teams in Division 1. However, the sport has seen rapid growth across the south, and High school and club team participation has skyrocketed. This is a direct result of the SEC’s interest in joining.
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Multiple teams in the SEC already have competitive club teams in the MCLA (Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association). Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are schools that go out there and compete every season. The MCLA operates with limited funding and still draws good attention. There is already a foundation for lacrosse that shows schools can get players there and make the jump to the NCAA.
The recruiting
Adding lacrosse would give SEC schools a new platform for recruiting multisport athletes. Multi-sport athletes have been the rising sensation, and schools like North Carolina and Notre Dame have been recruiting loads of football/lacrosse players.
The challenges
There will be financial challenges, as lacrosse programs require significant funding for facilities, equipment, and staff. However, being the powerhouse of most sports, they have a high revenue flow, and it probably wouldn’t hurt them too much. Another challenge they would face is Title IX, which requires them to keep women’s and men’s sports in line, so they would have to consider cutting other programs.
Wrap it up!
Ultimately, the SEC joining the NCAA would be a turning point for lacrosse, and it would help grow the game in the south significantly and add new levels of competition
Dylan Hess
Florida lacrosse alum drafted in the PLL this past season, proving that they have good players who can make that transition to the next level.
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