Efforts Underway to Add Lacrosse as Sanctioned High School Sport in Nevada

USA Lacrosse is backing an effort to have high school lacrosse added as a sanctioned sport in the state of Nevada. The Las Vegas Desert Dogs and Nevada State Senator Fabian Doñate introduced legislation — Senate Bill 305 — to the Nevada Senate Committee on Education on Monday, March 17. A final decision from the committee is due by mid-April.

Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, and Caitlin Kelley, Senior Director of Sport Administration for USA Lacrosse, are scheduled to offer testimony to the committee.

There are currently 25 state high school associations around the country that support lacrosse as a full state championship sport and two others have some form of official recognition from the state high school association.

Kentucky and Tennessee, which will both conduct official state championships this spring for the first time, are the most recent states to bring lacrosse under their governing associations. Six states have added lacrosse as a championship sport since 2017 with Ohio (2017), Illinois (2018), Utah (2020) and Wisconsin (2024) joining Kentucky and Tennessee on the list.

Here's the full press release on the effort in Nevada.

LAS VEGAS, NV (MARCH 17, 2025) – The Las Vegas Desert Dogs, in partnership with USA Lacrosse and State Senator Fabian Doñate, today announced the introduction of Senate Bill 305, a legislative initiative aimed at officially sanctioning lacrosse as a sport in Nevada. This effort solidifies the Desert Dogs' commitment to fostering the growth of lacrosse at all levels within the state and establishes a clear pathway for aspiring athletes to pursue high school, collegiate and professional opportunities.

Senate Bill 305 requires the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) to create and enforce regulations that officially recognize lacrosse as a sanctioned sport in Nevada. This legislation aims to provide more opportunities for student-athletes, enhance the infrastructure supporting the sport, and align Nevada's high school sports system with the professional lacrosse scene, including the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.

The bill requires the NIAA to create rules for athlete eligibility, participation standards, competition guidelines, and season structure while implementing safety protocols for student-athletes. Additionally, a dedicated fund will be set up to support the development and maintenance of infrastructure for sanctioned lacrosse programs.

The sport of lacrosse has experienced significant growth across the United States. From 1990 to 2008, high school participation surged by 528%. By 2017, over 42,500 athletes participated in NCAA lacrosse, a 59.4% increase since 2006. The recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to include lacrosse in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles further solidifies the sport's rising prominence.

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs believe that sanctioning lacrosse in Nevada will bring significant benefits. It will establish a clear pathway for student-athletes to advance into professional leagues, helping develop local talent.

"Sanctioning lacrosse in Nevada is a monumental step forward for our community," said Paul Speaker, CEO of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. "This legislation will not only create a clear pathway for our youth to excel but also enhance our local sports culture, providing more young athletes the opportunity to pursue their dreams in lacrosse. We are excited about the future and the potential it holds."

Official recognition will also open new funding and resources for regional programs while boosting sponsorship and recruitment opportunities for young athletes. Additionally, sanctioning lacrosse will foster diversity and inclusion by offering more chances for participation in a sport that's rapidly growing in popularity.

"Bringing lacrosse under the umbrella of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association will be a tremendous step forward for the sport of lacrosse," said Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse. "The additional support and recognition from the NIAA will increase opportunities for high school athletes to participate in this life-changing sport. We look forward to the opportunity to provide our resources to help make this effort a success."

Beyond the benefits for student-athletes, the sanctioning of lacrosse is expected to have a significant economic and community impact. Introducing lacrosse tournaments and events will drive tourism and boost local economic growth. New job opportunities will emerge in coaching, sports administration, and other fields. Ultimately, this initiative will reinforce Nevada's reputation as the sports and entertainment capital of the world by supporting the continued growth of lacrosse.

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are proud to support Senate Bill 305 and are committed to collaborating with state legislators, USA Lacrosse, and the community to ensure its successful passage.

If you would like to support the bill, please write a letter of support and send it to SenEDU@sen.state.nv.us.

ABOUT LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS 

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are a professional box lacrosse team and member of the (NLL) National League Lacrosse. Known for their dedication to excellence and passionate fanbase, the Desert Dogs have become a symbol of local pride for Las Vegas and one of the most entertaining nights out. The Desert Dogs play 18 games in the regular season, 9 home and 9 away games. All home games are played at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, NV. For the latest news and updates, visit lasvegasdesertdogs.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok @VegasDesertDogs.

ABOUT USA LACROSSE 

USA Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. As the governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse in the United States, USA Lacrosse leads the U.S. National Teams Program and establishes universal standards. With more than 425,000 members across the country, USA Lacrosse unites the community of players, coaches, officials, parents, and program leaders. Working together, we inspire participation, enrich the athlete experience, and support the growth of the sport.