NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Announced as 29th National Championship Sport
via the NAIA press release/website
Kansas City, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that men’s lacrosse will become the association’s 29th national championship sport, effective for 2024-25. The National Administrative Council (NAC), a membership group comprised of NAIA athletic administrators, unanimously approved the motion on August 14.
To gain national championship status, a sport must be sponsored by a minimum of 30 varsity institutions, complete at least two national invitational seasons, and get approved by the NAC. There are 30 institutions that have declared their intent to participate in men’s lacrosse in 2024-25.
“After eight years at invitational status, the logical next step for lacrosse is becoming a national championship sport,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO. “I’m excited that the NAC approved this motion and look forward to lacrosse players getting to take part in the NAIA national championship experience.”
Men’s lacrosse has completed eight national invitational tournaments, and the first national championship will be May 7-10, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, Georgia. Keiser University (Fla.) won the title in 2024, and Reinhardt University (Ga.) has claimed five invitational titles. For more information on the 2025 National Championship CLICK HERE.
The last sport to earn championship status was women’s wrestling in 2022-23. Prior to that, men’s volleyball was moved to championship status in 2018.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Justin Moe, SCAD Savannah (Ga.), Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach
“With the growth of lacrosse throughout the country, it is a great opportunity for the NAIA to add men’s lacrosse as a championship sport. This move benefits everyone and continues to support the hard work that men’s lacrosse student-athletes are putting in on the field and in the classroom.”
Pete Campbell, Cumberlands (Ky.), Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach
“For us to be a championship sport means a lot for the growth of the game of men’s lacrosse at the national level. This is a huge step for men’s lacrosse, and we’re excited to compete this year.”
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs dedicated to championships in balance with the overall college educational experience. Each year, more than 83,000 NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports, earn over $1.3 billion in scholarships, and compete for a chance to participate in 29 national championships.
