CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill has announced the addition of women’s lacrosse, the fastest-growing sport on college campuses, as the 49ers’ newest sport. Charlotte will begin competition in women’s lacrosse in 2024-25. 

“We can’t wait to start competing in this exciting sport and are committed to building for success,” said 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill. “We were very deliberate in selecting women’s lacrosse because of its explosive growth and popularity locally, regionally and nationally. Fans will love watching the Niners lacrosse team play.”

In order to begin recruiting and building its inaugural roster, the first coaching staff is being hired at this time. Of note, the American Athletic Conference sponsors women’s lacrosse. The 49ers announced an upcoming move to The American last year. 

Women’s lacrosse will become the 19th sport within the 49ers’ NCAA Division I Athletic Department. Charlotte currently has 18 sports: nine male and nine female. This is the second women’s sport to be added since the addition of football in 2013. The 49ers added women’s golf in 2017-18.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “As we celebrate this important milestone in ensuring gender equality in college sports, it seems like a fitting time to add women’s lacrosse to our 49ers athletics program. I look forward to cheering on the talented female student-athletes who will soon join our campus community.”

HOT SPORT

In a recent study analyzing the 15 years from 2003-04 to 2017-18, the NCAA tabbed women’s lacrosse as the fastest-growing collegiate sport. During that time frame, the number of schools sponsoring women’s lacrosse at the NCAA level nearly doubled from 256 to 505, an increase of 97.3%.

Women’s lacrosse thrives in the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Eight of the last 11 NCAA Div. I National Champions have come from the region. Maryland has won five of the 11 NCAA titles, North Carolina has won two and James Madison has won one. In 2021, 13 of 29 NCAA Tournament teams hailed from the mid-Atlantic or southeast regions.

Currently there are 28 women’s lacrosse programs at the NCAA Division I, II or III level in North Carolina. At the high school level, there are over 100 programs throughout the state. A Charlotte-area school has played for the state championship in each of the last 11 NCHSAA championship tournaments. 

TIMELINE

May 2022: Charlotte 49ers’ announcement of addition of women’s lacrosse 
Summer 2022: Coaching staff hired
2022-2024: Coaching staff begins recruiting process; signs its first class
August 2024: Student-athletes arrive on campus
2024-25: First season of competition; first championship season (women’s lacrosse competes in the spring semester)