CSU Pueblo Will Transition from NCAA Division II to MCLA After 2024 Season

The spring of 2024 will be the final regular season of the varsity men’s lacrosse program at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo). At the conclusion of this year’s season, the program will transition to a sanctioned club sport.

The decision does not affect the women’s lacrosse program or any other varsity sport.

“After an extensive review and careful analysis of our strategic initiatives within the landscape of college athletics, we have made the difficult decision to transition men’s lacrosse to club status following the 2024 season,” Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Paul Plinske said. “We want all student-athletes to have the most competitive experience possible and feel that men’s lacrosse at the club level is the best place for us.”

Men’s lacrosse was added as a varsity sport in 2014 and participated in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The transition will reduce the number of varsity sports at CSU Pueblo to 20 in total. The average number of varsity sports sponsored in NCAA Division II is 16.

The decision to transition the program to a club sport is in part based on the limited number of NCAA men’s lacrosse programs within the University’s geographic footprint. As a club sport, CSU Pueblo will have far greater competitive opportunities through an association with the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (the governing body for men’s club lacrosse) and the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC), which supports nine teams in Colorado along with several institutions from our region including Colorado School of Mines, Fort Lewis, MSU Denver, and Western Colorado.

“We appreciate the support of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and value their efforts to grow the sport of men’s lacrosse,” Dr. Plinske said. “Our focus now is on the 2024 season and helping our men’s team have a successful conclusion. We will work closely with Coach (Sean) Blair and the team members this spring to help each individual make the best decision for their future.”

All scholarship-eligible student-athletes affected by this decision will have their financial aid honored until they depart or graduate from CSU Pueblo. If a student-athlete chooses to transfer after the season, NCAA rules will permit them to play immediately without penalty.