ST. PAUL, Minn.- As part of an organization-wide strategic planning and structural budgeting initiative, the University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) has made the difficult decision to discontinue its varsity men's and women's lacrosse programs at the conclusion of the 2024 championship season.
Northwestern's programs, which began competition in 2016 (women) and 2017 (men), have maintained membership in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) and Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) since 2019. While the gender-specific MLC and MWLC are the only NCAA Division III lacrosse leagues that feature Minnesota-based colleges and universities, UNW's nearest opponent in the five-team men's conference is over 200 miles away. Northwestern is Minnesota's lone NCAA Division III member currently sponsoring men's lacrosse.
"At Northwestern, we take great pride in both the quality of our athletics programs and their shared pursuit of competing with purpose," said President Corbin Hoornbeek. "While I recognize that this decision will be difficult news for many—especially our impacted student-athletes—it is important that our university be fiscally positioned to excel amidst the current and upcoming challenges facing higher education. I am appreciative and grateful for the ongoing work of our Athletics coaching staff and administration, and their commitment to UNW student-athletes as we equip them to provide God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community, and world."
Per the most recent NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report, the average Division III lacrosse programs featured rosters of 36 male and 22 female student-athletes. Division III institutions sponsored an average of 19.4 varsity sports in 2022-23—up from 18.0 in 2015-16. Northwestern's men's roster has ranged from 21 to 29 student-athletes in the last five seasons, while the Eagles women's program featured rosters of 18-22. Including men's and women's lacrosse, Northwestern has offered 20 varsity sports for the past nine years.
"Our entire university is committed to supporting our student-athletes who may be impacted by this change," commented Director of Athletics Matt Hill. "While it is our sincere desire for each of them to remain a part of our Christ-centered community and earn their degree from UNW, we will actively support each student, including those who choose to continue their collegiate athletics career elsewhere."
Northwestern maintains its commitment to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), of which it is a founding member. Outside of the varsity lacrosse programs, Northwestern's remaining 18 varsity sports— football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, softball, and women's volleyball— all currently compete in the UMAC.
