The landscape of college lacrosse is on the brink of a major transformation. Thanks to a landmark settlement between the NCAA, Power Conferences, and athletes, significant changes in athlete compensation, scholarship distribution, and sports management are on the horizon. This will impact both men’s and women’s lacrosse in profound ways. Let’s dive into what these changes mean for the future of college lacrosse.
A New Scholarship Paradigm
One of the most exciting changes is the expansion of scholarships. Previously, men’s lacrosse teams were limited to a scholarship equivalency of 12.6, while women’s teams had 12. Under the new settlement, men’s rosters can now include up to 48 players, and women’s rosters can expand to 38. This adjustment COULD increase the number of scholarships available for lacrosse players by approximately 2,760 to 3,450 for athletes in Division 1 alone.
Revenue Sharing and Financial Redistribution
The settlement also introduces a revenue-sharing model, with nearly $2.8 billion allocated to former players over the next decade. While a significant portion of this will benefit football and men’s basketball players, each school will receive around $20 million for athlete revenue sharing. This financial boost has the potential to enhance support for lacrosse programs. Lacrosse programs that generate increased revenues could see substantial benefits, enabling them to invest in facilities, coaching staff, and scholarships.
Balancing Act with Title IX
The increase in men’s scholarships for all sports will necessitate corresponding increases in women’s scholarships to comply with Title IX, which mandates gender equity in sports. This presents a significant opportunity for the expansion of women’s varsity lacrosse programs. Schools may need to invest more in women’s sports to balance scholarships and ensure compliance. Clemson University recently demonstrated its commitment to women’s lacrosse by investing in a state-of-the-art facility, highlighting the potential for growth in women’s lacrosse programs nationwide.
Equivalency Sports: A New Classification
All sports will now be classified as "equivalency sports," allowing schools to distribute partial scholarships rather than full ones. This flexibility impacts lacrosse by providing more options for how scholarships are allocated, though it also introduces new complexities in managing these resources.
Potential Impact on Varsity Lacrosse Programs
Given the new financial and compliance challenges, some schools might consider cutting lacrosse as a varsity sport. Budget constraints and the need to balance Title IX requirements could lead institutions to prioritize other sports with higher revenue potential. However, schools with successful men’s lacrosse programs that generate increased revenue may be better positioned to maintain or even expand their varsity programs.
College Club Sports as an Alternative
For schools that cut varsity lacrosse, College Club Sports offer a viable alternative. Unlike varsity programs, College Club teams in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) are not governed by NCAA regulations and often enjoy more operational flexibility. This can provide a competitive environment for players who still want to play at a high level while pursuing their academic goals.
Programs at schools like the University of Florida, the University of Texas, and the University of Southern California (USC) exemplify how successful College Club lacrosse programs can be. These teams, though not part of the varsity system, often receive strong institutional support and can provide competitive play. Additionally, some College Club programs are well-funded and may offer other ways to navigate the college acceptance process more easily as well as obtain financial assistance similar to current nonscholarship varsity programs.
Conclusion
As the settlement provisions take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, the future of college lacrosse will undergo significant changes. The potential increase in scholarships presents a major opportunity for the growth of women’s varsity lacrosse programs, with schools needing to invest more in women’s sports to balance scholarships and comply with Title IX. Clemson’s investment in a new facility for women’s lacrosse exemplifies this positive trend.
The increase in scholarships for men's lacrosse programs to 48 may seem like a positive development on the surface, but it can be misleading. Financial pressures and the need to support higher-tier sports such as basketball and football could lead to cuts in lacrosse programs at some schools. However, institutions with stronger revenues and financial backing will likely distinguish themselves in the college varsity landscape. This change may also lead to a rise in non-scholarship programs and an increase in college club teams within the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). The NCAA and athletic directors have much to address as they navigate this evolving landscape, which will be crucial for both athletes and institutions adapting to the changing collegiate athletic environment.
