Big East mens lacrosse expansion

[NJRedman]

With Rutgers departing for the BIG, adding AF to replace them would make a lot of sense and significantly improve the top half of the league. Is there any news out there if an invitation has been made?

Rutgers wasn't playing with us this year.

The Big East LAX consists of:

SJU
GTown
Nova
Prov
Marq
Denver

I'd much rather see current members start it up then add on more associate members.

[Burrito]

Rutgers is in the conference this year. Air Force would be a solid replacement. AF's overall record this year is 8-3

2014 BIG EAST MEN'S LACROSSE STANDINGS
Conference Overall
School W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
*Denver 4-0 1.000 10-2 .833
*Villanova 3-1 .750 5-6 .455
Marquette 3-1 .750 5-8 .385
Rutgers 2-3 .400 7-6 .538
St. John's 2-3 .400 6-6 .500
Georgetown 1-3 .250 4-8 .333
Providence 0-4 .000 3-10 .231

[bmorex]

It actually surprised me when I found out Seton Hall did not have a lacrosse team, considering the lacrosse geographic footprint is right there.

[NJRedman]

It actually surprised me when I found out Seton Hall did not have a lacrosse team, considering the lacrosse geographic footprint is right there.

They don't sponsor a lot of sports

[notkirkcameron]

Also, this would mean we would have to have a title IX equivalent (field hockey?) and then you will lose alot of money.

When Marquette started its lacrosse program, this problem was solved by adding Womens' Lacrosse. If I recall correctly, the Lady Warriors are one of either three or four womens' D1 lacrosse programs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana (Northwestern, and I think Notre Dame and/or Detroit Mercy are the others).

I also personally spoke with the former athletic director at Marquette when the Big East was falling apart, and asked "With Notre Dame, Rutgers, UConn, and Syracuse's defections, what does that mean for the startup lacrosse program? Wasn't part of the appeal to play these big East Coast teams?" And he kind of gave me a knowing look and said "If I had been the one in charge when the Lacrosse decision was made. It would have been done very differently." So if you're going to start a new sport, put A LOT of thought into it, and make sure the right people are wearing the right hats.

[itsmejpt]

SHU has club lacrosse. I'd love for them to move to D1 (eventually) because it just makes too much sense. A private school in northern New Jersey? How can they not?

[trephin]

" And he kind of gave me a knowing look and said "If I had been the one in charge when the Lacrosse decision was made. It would have been done very differently." So if you're going to start a new sport, put A LOT of thought into it, and make sure the right people are wearing the right hats.

So what exactly was he intimating? Would he have not started the program? Play at club level? Changed the funding? Changed the department's Title IX pieces?

[ChelseaFriar]

Also, this would mean we would have to have a title IX equivalent (field hockey?) and then you will lose alot of money.

When Marquette started its lacrosse program, this problem was solved by adding Womens' Lacrosse. If I recall correctly, the Lady Warriors are one of either three or four womens' D1 lacrosse programs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana (Northwestern, and I think Notre Dame and/or Detroit Mercy are the others).

I also personally spoke with the former athletic director at Marquette when the Big East was falling apart, and asked "With Notre Dame, Rutgers, UConn, and Syracuse's defections, what does that mean for the startup lacrosse program? Wasn't part of the appeal to play these big East Coast teams?" And he kind of gave me a knowing look and said "If I had been the one in charge when the Lacrosse decision was made. It would have been done very differently." So if you're going to start a new sport, put A LOT of thought into it, and make sure the right people are wearing the right hats.

Uconn men's lacrosse is garbage. Not positive, but I don't even think it's D1.

[pki1998]

With Rutgers departing for the BIG, adding AF to replace them would make a lot of sense and significantly improve the top half of the league. Is there any news out there if an invitation has been made?

Air Force would be a nice addition to Big East Lacrosse, but I don't think it will happen. If your Air Force it makes more sense to join the Patriot league. That gives them league games against both Army and Navy. The patriot league allows affiliates members in football, I have to assume that thy would do the same for lacrosse

[gosports1]

UConn doesnt sponsor varsity mens lax. if it did, however, it would be an affilate of the BE like its field hockey and womens lax team