College Recruiting
The college recruiting process can be a difficult and confusing endeavor, even for parents that have been through the process before. On this page, US Lacrosse seeks to share some information and resources that families may find helpful as they navigate the process.
NCSA: Official Responsible Recruiting Partner of US Lacrosse
Want to play college lacrosse? Our partnership with Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) gives US Lacrosse high school members the tools and resources they need to navigate the recruiting process and find the right college fit.
The Truth About Scholarships
Scholarships in lacrosse generally cover just a portion of the costs associated with going to college. The chart below shows the maximum number of scholarships permitted in NCAA Division I and II lacrosse as compared to the average roster size per team. Not all schools award the maximum number of scholarships allowed and no scholarships are awarded in NCAA Division III based on athletic ability.
| Division | Scholarships | Avg Roster Size |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I (Men’s) | 12.6 | 39.3 |
| NCAA Division I (Women’s) | 12 | 29.9 |
| NCAA Division II (Men’s) | 10.8 | 39.8 |
| NCAA Division II (Women’s) | 9.9 | 22.9 |
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
In recent years, recruiting at the elite levels had trended earlier on an annual basis, with some Division I programs securing commitments from high school freshmen and sophomores. Distressed by these changes, US Lacrosse endorsed and supported a proposal submitted to the NCAA jointly by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association to prohibit college lacrosse coaches from communicating with prospective student-athletes until Sept. 1 of their junior year of high school. That proposal was approved by the NCAA Division I Council in 2017 and went into effect immediately.
Be Proactive
There are tens of thousands of high school lacrosse players, many with dreams of playing in college. Make the job of college coaches easier by reaching out to the schools you are interested in learning about. Send them video to evaluate, a copy of your grades, and let them know where they can see you play.
Playing Collegiate Lacrosse
Lacrosse is the nation’s fastest-growing team sport and opportunities abound at both the varsity and club levels. Well over 30,000 athletes play some form of collegiate lacrosse each year. The links below will take you to the major college lacrosse organizations.
The Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) includes about 200 club teams from around the country and concludes its season with national championships at the Division I and II levels. The National Collegiate Lacrosse League (NCLL) is primarily based along the Eastern Seaboard and features more than 140 teams.
The Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) are college club teams and nearly 200 teams compete under the US Lacrosse umbrella. US Lacrosse conducts a national championship for Division I and Division II teams each spring.
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