What level does UW Men’s Lacrosse compete at?

The UW Men’s Lacrosse Club competes in Division I of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) as a member of the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL).

The MCLA is a national organization for non-NCAA collegiate lacrosse programs, with more than 100 teams competing across the country. While MCLA Division I is separate from NCAA Division I, it provides a highly competitive collegiate lacrosse experience and the opportunity to compete for conference and national championships.

Who do you play?

Our PNCLL conference opponents include Boise State University, Oregon State University, Simon Fraser University, University of Oregon, and Washington State University.

We also schedule non-conference opponents each season, giving our players the opportunity to compete against MCLA programs from other regions of the country.

When is your season?

UW Lacrosse has both a fall and spring season.

Fall ball runs from early October through late November or early December. The team practices twice per week on Monday and Wednesday evenings and typically participates in one weekend round-robin competition with two other programs.

Our primary season takes place during the winter and spring. The team practices three evenings per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with approximately 10–12 games played primarily on weekends.

How much of a time commitment is UW Lacrosse?

We want our players to compete at a high level while still having the opportunity to fully experience life at the University of Washington.

Practices are approximately two hours in the evening; twice per week during the fall and three times per week during the spring. Games are played on weekends, and we intentionally do not schedule games during Exam Week or Spring Break. Whenever possible, we also build our schedule around other major student commitments.

Players are expected to take their commitment to the team seriously, but we also recognize that academics, internships, jobs, study abroad, campus organizations, and a social life are important parts of the college experience.

Do you travel?

Yes. Most conference and regional away games are completed as either same-day or one-night bus trips.

The team's primary extended trip is typically Presidents' Day weekend, when UW travels to California to compete in the Bruin Classic against other top MCLA programs.

We have intentionally structured our travel schedule to provide a competitive collegiate experience without requiring players to sacrifice Spring Break or spend an excessive amount of time away from campus.

How large is the roster?

Our goal is to maintain a roster of approximately 30–35 players.

We believe this provides the depth necessary to compete while keeping practices competitive and creating meaningful opportunities for players to contribute and develop throughout their college careers.

Do you hold tryouts?

Yes. The first week of fall practice serves as our primary evaluation and tryout period, and we strongly encourage interested players to join us from Day 1.

That said, discovering UW Lacrosse after the season has started shouldn't stop you from reaching out. Class schedules change, students learn about the program at different times, and circumstances vary. If you're interested in playing, contact our coaching staff and we'll discuss opportunities to get involved.

Do I need to be recruited to play?

No. We actively recruit prospective student-athletes, but you do not need to have been recruited by our coaching staff to pursue a spot on the team.

Current UW students with competitive lacrosse experience are encouraged to reach out, even if they did not connect with the program before arriving on campus.

How does recruiting work?

Prospective players should begin by completing our recruiting questionnaire or emailing the coaches. From there, a member of our coaching staff will reach out and remain in communication throughout the recruiting and college decision process.

Depending on timing and location, prospective players may also have opportunities to meet the coaching staff, visit campus, or attend a practice.

UW Men's Lacrosse does not have influence over University of Washington admissions decisions. Our recruiting process is therefore separate from the university's application and admissions process.

Do you offer athletic scholarships?

UW Men’s Lacrosse does not offer athletic scholarships and does not have influence over the university admissions process.

The University of Washington does offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities for undergraduate students. Additional information is available through the UW Office of Student Financial Aid.

Do players pay dues?

Yes. As a club sports program, player dues help cover expenses such as travel, league fees, officials, equipment, facilities, and other costs associated with operating the team.

Keeping the program financially accessible is important to us. Fundraising helps offset the cost to players, and payment plans and additional support are available for players experiencing financial hardship.

We do not want finances alone to prevent someone from being part of UW Lacrosse. Players with concerns about dues are encouraged to speak privately with the coaching staff so we can work together to find a solution.

Why play lacrosse at UW?

UW Lacrosse offers the opportunity to continue competing at a high collegiate level without requiring players to build their entire college experience around lacrosse.

Our players compete for conference and national postseason opportunities while attending one of the country's leading public research universities and living in the heart of Seattle.

Just as importantly, we want players to leave UW with more than their lacrosse experience. Our schedule allows players to pursue demanding academic programs, internships and jobs, study abroad, campus organizations, friendships, and everything else that comes with being a student at Washington.

Our goal is simple: take lacrosse seriously, compete together, and make it one meaningful part of an outstanding college experience.

Where do you play?

UW plays its home games on campus at the IMA Sports Field Complex, located near University Village.

Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to us!