Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon interested in adding lacrosse as a varsity sport
University athletic directors have slashed varsity sports from their schools in recent years in an effort to trim their budgets amid an economic downturn. Could the University of Michigan do the opposite?
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he’d like to add varsity men’s and women’s lacrosse at some point during his tenure. “I’m really interested in pursuing lacrosse as a varsity sport,” he said recently. “It’s a fast-growing sport and a great television sport.”
Currently, the Wolverines have a men’s lacrosse team that has competed as a club team since 1965. It plays in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association and does not offer scholarships.
“Obviously, I’m excited that there is the possibility of adding lacrosse at Michigan, if Dave Brandon ultimately decides it’s the right move,” club team coach John Paul wrote in an e-mail.
He deferred on further comment to Brandon.
No timetable exists for launching the programs. Brandon said there are operational, facility and financial questions that need answers before he could project a start date.
Michigan’s athletic department projected an operating surplus of $16.2 million for fiscal year 2010, but that is expected to narrow to $4.7 million in 2011.
Michigan offers 25 varsity sports. Women’s water polo was the last sport added to the varsity level - that move came in 2001.
Sixty schools offer Division I NCAA men’s lacrosse programs, although just two Big Ten schools are among them - Ohio State and Penn State. Northwestern offers women’s lacrosse, but not men’s.
Brandon hopes to be part of a growing trend.
“You’re starting to see it move into the Big Ten,” he said. “So you’re starting to see it come a little bit west. More and more high schools feature it as a major sport with spectator interest and participation.”
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
The OSU
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.
Oh, no! Are we going to see more of those goofy "winged" helmets you guys think are so fashionable?
West MI
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.
Awesome! They should have done this a LONG time ago. And for those you just posted about another "non-revenue" sport, there are plenty of examples of schools out east where LAX is self-supporting and then some. UM will only do it if it can be done right and it won't take long for the crowds to be huge with the way they sport is growing throughout all of MI. Some of the larger schools out east regularly draw HUGE crowds and the NCAA Championships fill NFL/Large NCAA Stadiums. I am envisioning another event like this past weekend where we pack the Big House with 113,000 for LAX! The sooner, the better, DB!
KeepingItReal
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 5:28 a.m.
More demands on the football program to support another non-revenue producing sport. When are football players going to reap the benefit of their labor? Everybody else associated with college sports benefit financially from the toil of these outstanding athletes.
Richard
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 9:49 p.m.
If I remember correctly, hasn't Michigan won the world Men's title three years in a row. I have watched it on television. Trevor Yealy is one the outstanding players in the country if I remember right. I hope Michigan does grant them varsity status. The players work very hard. Go Blue!
Joe
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:59 p.m.
3....great point!!!!!
stunhsif
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
While we are at it, let's add underwater basketweaving. We already have the pools, we'd just have to buy the baskets and you can get them at the dollar store cheap! You might have 5 people show up for a Lacrosse match. I thought Lacrosse was Buick?
81wolverine
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 6:46 p.m.
We need to add some more varsity sports. If Ohio State can support them, we certainly can. Next, add Men's Rowing.
3 And Out
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
Lacrosse is a great idea and a perfect sport for Michigan to add. Perhaps some of the 1.5 mil saved by cutting RR can be put towards that sport so as not to tax the overall budget so much.
Bogie
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
That is a great idea. It could replace the former football program. LOL!
leaguebus
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.
Good for Lax, what about Rugby, too? Its much cheaper to fund because there is very little equipment needed and it is growing by leaps and bounds all over the world.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
Lacrosse is a great sport: both my son and daughter played at Huron HS. I support this expansion of athletics programs.
Barb
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
Yay!! More LAX. Great sport.