Montclair State to Maintain Lacrosse Programs as NCAA Sports

Montclair State has reversed an earlier decision to transition men's and women's lacrosse to club status, announcing Wednesday that funds raised by alumni and supporters had secured the financial sustainability of the teams to the extent that they could continue to operate as NCAA programs.

An online fundraiser by the 70 current players alone has amassed nearly $25,000 in donations.

The Montclair State men's lacrosse team is 8-2 entering Coastal Lacrosse Conference play. The Red Hawks' conference opener is Saturday at nationally ranked Christopher Newport.

The Montclair State women's lacrosse team is 5-3 and will host Marywood on Saturday before starting the NJAC portion of its schedule against nationally ranked TCNJ.

A Division III program, Montclair State has a strong lacrosse pedigree. The men's team won the Skyline Conference each year from 2009-17, going 53-1 in conference play during that time and advancing to the second round of the 2016 NCAA tournament. The women’s team similarly dominated the Skyline Conference from 2006-13 and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2007 and 2012.

The university originally planned to reclassify lacrosse as a club sport after this season while also creating an NCAA women's flag football team as part of a realignment of its athletics program. While the Red Hawks will now continue the history and traditions of its lacrosse programs at the NCAA level, the unniversity's plans otherwise remain intact.

"As stewards of State funding, and the lowest-funded public institution on a per-student basis, we are forced to make tough resource allocation decisions," Montclair president Jonathan Koppell said. "Making the difficult choice to move our lacrosse programs to club status was driven by financial realities. I am pleased that we are able to partner with a dedicated group of supporters, including alumni, parents and current student-athletes, who believe in what Montclair State lacrosse represents — tradition, excellence, and opportunity — while still being able to expand opportunities for all students to engage in athletics at a competitive level. I am grateful for the supporters' advocacy and solutions-orientation. This cooperative model must be replicated to sustain and enrich our intercollegiate athletics programs in the fiscally-challenging environment facing higher ed."

Said one program supporter, according to the university's news release: "Through grassroots advocacy, financial contributions and strategic collaboration with university leadership, Montclair State University alumni, parents and student-athletes have played a pivotal role in ensuring the program's return to NCAA status. Their efforts reflect the deep pride and commitment that generations of Montclair State lacrosse players share. This reinstatement is not just about bringing back a sport, but about preserving a culture and a legacy that has shaped so many lives."