UCONN lax 2021????

[River Donkey]

UCONN going back to the Big East. Does anyone think this may be a sign that UCONN lax is not far behind???

[Typical Lax Dad]

UCONN going back to the Big East. Does anyone think this may be a sign that UCONN lax is not far behind???

That school is strapped for cash. If it makes sense economically, it would not surprise me. How are positioned from a title ix perspective?

[redfoxalum]

I don’t think so. If UConn had have ever started a D1 men’s lax program as an AAC school, the Big East likely would’ve gladly accepted them as an affiliate member given they are at the minimum number of teams required to maintain an AQ. UConn could’ve served as a buffer to potentially losing DU to any new Western League. Obviously adding a men’s sport while sponsoring FBS football is very difficult due to Title IX. Especially at UConn, where the state is in a tenuous financial position, as is the athletic department. Like Utah, a new program would certainly have to be at least mostly privately funded. If this move to the Big East is a precursor to giving up FBS football, then it becomes much more realistic that men’s lax could be added. However, it is being reported the plan is to stay in the FBS, likely as an independent, or as an affiliate member of the MAC, or C-USA.

[Typical Lax Dad]

UCONN going back to the Big East. Does anyone think this may be a sign that UCONN lax is not far behind???

That school is strapped for cash. If it makes sense economically, it would not surprise me. How is the school positioned from a title ix perspective?

[Blackdoglax]

I can totally see it. Join the Big East, drop Football and pick up Mens Lacrosse....

[Wheels]

The only way it could work is for UConn to drop down to the 1-AA (FCS) level, which would free up 22 scholarships (85 in FBS to 63 in FCS). Otherwise, with the Title IX gender ratio requirements, adding men's lacrosse would require adding a women's sport(s) with similar scholarship numbers.

Could UConn drop to FCS? Sure. Will they? Probably not in the near term. They'll try to hack it out as an independent like UMass because it's unlikely that another football conference would allow them to join as a single sport (football) affiliate. Life as an independent in football is tough (unless you're Notre Dame or BYU). You lose whatever broadcasting money you'd get through conference affiliation. In order to fund the program, you have to create a heavy road schedule against Power 5 teams looking to beat down a cupcake (aka, guarantee games). Over time, it might force UConn to drop down a level.

[River Donkey]

UCONN going back to the Big East. Does anyone think this may be a sign that UCONN lax is not far behind???

That school is strapped for cash. If it makes sense economically, it would not surprise me. How are positioned from a title ix perspective?

No clue on the specifics.

[bearlaxfan]

Is the successful bid for NCAA lax quarters and '21 finals indicative of anything?
Is the stadium independent of the school/state? I was at the quarters, I think Fairfield was the host.

[cuseman4133]

I don't seem them getting men's lacrosse in the near future.

They're gonna try and hang on to football for as long as they can at the FBS level. They forgot their basketball roots but will try and keep football. If that means going the independent route, so be it. It won't be in the AAC. I'm not so sure if they had to go to FCS if they would keep the program however.

They also need money. If boosters and donators step up and put cash into the school for a men's lacrosse program, it's possible. But UConn is currently trying to get money for their new "Husky Village" which includes upgrades to their soccer, baseball, and softball stadiums.

[HowieT3]

Is the successful bid for NCAA lax quarters and '21 finals indicative of anything?
Is the stadium independent of the school/state? I was at the quarters, I think Fairfield was the host.

Either the stadium has no connection to UConn WRT ownership, or Fairfield, as host, is renting the stadium from UConn. Fairfield is the officially designated host for all the games there, so I think that no connection to having the games there should be made to UConn’s starting a team.

[Homer]

Is the successful bid for NCAA lax quarters and '21 finals indicative of anything?
Is the stadium independent of the school/state? I was at the quarters, I think Fairfield was the host.

Either the stadium has no connection to UConn WRT ownership, or Fairfield, as host, is renting the stadium from UConn. Fairfield is the officially designated host for all the games there, so I think that no connection to having the games there should be made to UConn’s starting a team.

Rentschler is owned by the State of Connecticut. Its only connection to UConn is that the Huskies rent it for football.

[HowieT3]

Is the successful bid for NCAA lax quarters and '21 finals indicative of anything?
Is the stadium independent of the school/state? I was at the quarters, I think Fairfield was the host.

Either the stadium has no connection to UConn WRT ownership, or Fairfield, as host, is renting the stadium from UConn. Fairfield is the officially designated host for all the games there, so I think that no connection to having the games there should be made to UConn’s starting a team.

Rentschler is owned by the State of Connecticut. Its only connection to UConn is that the Huskies rent it for football.

Then Fairfield would be renting it as well for the playoffs. Thanks!

[steel_hop]

The only way it could work is for UConn to drop down to the 1-AA (FCS) level, which would free up 22 scholarships (85 in FBS to 63 in FCS). Otherwise, with the Title IX gender ratio requirements, adding men's lacrosse would require adding a women's sport(s) with similar scholarship numbers.

Could UConn drop to FCS? Sure. Will they? Probably not in the near term. They'll try to hack it out as an independent like UMass because it's unlikely that another football conference would allow them to join as a single sport (football) affiliate. Life as an independent in football is tough (unless you're Notre Dame or BYU). You lose whatever broadcasting money you'd get through conference affiliation. In order to fund the program, you have to create a heavy road schedule against Power 5 teams looking to beat down a cupcake (aka, guarantee games). Over time, it might force UConn to drop down a level.

There is very little difference in running a DIA program v. DIAA football program because the upside revenue from DIA football offsets the increase in costs.

I doubt UConn drops down unless they decide to completely eliminate football, which in doubt they do.

[wgdsr]

The only way it could work is for UConn to drop down to the 1-AA (FCS) level, which would free up 22 scholarships (85 in FBS to 63 in FCS). Otherwise, with the Title IX gender ratio requirements, adding men's lacrosse would require adding a women's sport(s) with similar scholarship numbers.

there is no evidence that proves this is the case.
there are a number of prongs that are tests for compliance. nowhere has it been determined that exact number balance has to happen. that's why so many schools aren't (connecticut is).
connecticut would want someone to pay for it. even if the reality is, the ad would take the position that he's going to cya, you could drift a few numbers on your track team, and add women's golf... not pricey on that side at all.
with all the cash-eesh in connecticut, with kids who play lacrosse, i'm kinda surprised it hasn't gotten more pressure already.

[runrussellrun]

NY Times headline:

"XXXX University sued by OCR/DOE for adding Men's lacrosse. "

Fantasy island with the myth and blaming title 9 for NOT adding mens lacrosse. Wanna take a guess at how many STEM scholarships go to males vs females. Where's the lawsuit/s ? exactly

The obvious nonsense that starting a MENS lacrosse team will bring about violations/lawsuits for title 9 violation in regards to lacrosse: 12.6 vs 12, men vs women. Throw in the Javetts amendment and dozens of other lack of actions, and you get nothing in terms of precedence, aka "wartaboutism" for the OCR/DOE suing a place of HIGHer learning. If it exists, please provide a link.

As long as an institution is "showing" progress with "attempts" at title 9 compliance......one of three vague prongs........any institution ADDING a program will be Ok.

Having the funds is another matter......could UConn compete if it only offered 2-3 scholarships instead of the 12.6? And, we all know that Conneticut never produce PUBLIC school lacrosse players of Div. I caliber

[pcowlax]

UCONN is the biggest potential sleeping giant in lacrosse but I would be shocked (yet delighted) if that happened. Look at the pool of players in CT, MA and NY they could tap into, they could immediately be a power.....yet Title IX sexism will not allow it. Even more so is the state’s horrible financial situation, which was only recently the highest per capita state in the country. Their football is not going to drop to I-AA, most recent reports are staying in AAC. Now, their football sucks and is an embarrassment to the state but we still have hope.

[PrimeTime21]

UCONN is the biggest potential sleeping giant in lacrosse but I would be shocked (yet delighted) if that happened. Look at the pool of players in CT, MA and NY they could tap into, they could immediately be a power.....yet Title IX sexism will not allow it. Even more so is the state’s horrible financial situation, which was only recently the highest per capita state in the country. Their football is not going to drop to I-AA, most recent reports are staying in AAC. Now, their football sucks and is an embarrassment to the state but we still have hope.

Sleeping giant? Hardly. The lax focused posh enclaves of lower Fairfield and Westchester don’t send kids to UConn. UConn is regarded as a deeply shameful safety school. Even worse, it’s generic.

It’s not like they’d start a team up in Storrs and draw anyone good. As far as the true hotbeds are concerned everywhere east of Fairfield in CT is Liberia.

Also CT is bankrupt so expenditures are impossible.

[Empirelaxer]

The only way it could work is for UConn to drop down to the 1-AA (FCS) level, which would free up 22 scholarships (85 in FBS to 63 in FCS). Otherwise, with the Title IX gender ratio requirements, adding men's lacrosse would require adding a women's sport(s) with similar scholarship numbers.

Could UConn drop to FCS? Sure. Will they? Probably not in the near term. They'll try to hack it out as an independent like UMass because it's unlikely that another football conference would allow them to join as a single sport (football) affiliate. Life as an independent in football is tough (unless you're Notre Dame or BYU). You lose whatever broadcasting money you'd get through conference affiliation. In order to fund the program, you have to create a heavy road schedule against Power 5 teams looking to beat down a cupcake (aka, guarantee games). Over time, it might force UConn to drop down a level.

There is very little difference in running a DIA program v. DIAA football program because the upside revenue from DIA football offsets the increase in costs.

I doubt UConn drops down unless they decide to completely eliminate football, which in doubt they do.

How is there very little difference between FBS and FCS? Edsall makes $1 million a year. Double the average FCS head coach salary. And every assistant coach (and there are more FBS then FCS assistants) make double too. And there are more players, with more scholarships and more equipment. And the required facilities are more. Not to mention the extras needed to recruit. (Player lounges -many now have stand alone barber shops- special nutrition coaches, film and video rooms, etc.)

And extra revenue??? TV contracts are negotiated at the conference level and then doled out to members. As a football independent, UConn would need to negotiate its own contract. What TV provider is going to pay big money for UConn football, which can’t be packaged with their other sports because that’s part of the Big East now?

UConn football is about to bleed cash. It will be FCS or eliminate football inside of four years.

[steel_hop]

How does UMass and BYU do it? Or Sunbelt teams do it?

They play a ton of "buy" games to supplement their revenue.

As I said, there is little difference overall between running a DIA program and DIAA football program. It is why lots of teams have made the jump over the last decade. Scholarships are pure accounting on the part of the university. Outside of the accounting world, they don't cost anything to the university.

And the point I responded to was dropping down not eliminating the program. They might eliminate the program but I doubt they start a lax program in its place.

[Farfromgeneva]

BYU has tv money, they’ve got a niche market cornered. UMass has yet to how thy can be competitive in 1A/FBS.

Growth has been good but this is nuts. Recall butler who
Didn’t have football dropped a solid lacrosse program to reinforce BB. That was a borderline top 20 program Stan Ross has built.

And whoever noted CT is broke is correct. The HF guys are leaving (long before the myth of 2&20 bursts and it’s already way down), lost GE, check Waterbury, anywhere around hartford or the casinos. They can’t even afford fire extinguishers on a July 4th night.