Conference Merry-Go-Rounds

[WashedUpLaxDad]

UMass leaving A10 for MAC. However, they are asking for an exception for mens and women's lax.

Can't see MAC letting UMass women stay in MAC. Would be a boost to the MAC long-term, even though UMass may win most of their conference games by 10+ goals over first couple years.

[MolonLaxe]

UMass leaving A10 for MAC. However, they are asking for an exception for mens and women's lax.

Can't see MAC letting UMass women stay in MAC. Would be a boost to the MAC long-term, even though UMass may win most of their conference games by 10+ goals over first couple years.

This one is interesting to me. I think they have a great shot of winning the MAC in lacrosse and honestly, their football team puts them squarely within the MAC. Maybe squarely towards the bottom of football, but it makes sense.

Will be curious if they get an exception, but I'm thinking that is unlikely. Conferences are constantly shifting.

[TNLAX]

Nice article and some thoughts from Florida head coach on making the change to a new conference.

https://www.gainesville.com/story/sport ... 716391007/

[spidey44]

UMass leaving A10 for MAC. However, they are asking for an exception for mens and women's lax.

Can't see MAC letting UMass women stay in MAC. Would be a boost to the MAC long-term, even though UMass may win most of their conference games by 10+ goals over first couple years.

This one is interesting to me. I think they have a great shot of winning the MAC in lacrosse and honestly, their football team puts them squarely within the MAC. Maybe squarely towards the bottom of football, but it makes sense.

Will be curious if they get an exception, but I'm thinking that is unlikely. Conferences are constantly shifting.

They absolutely better win the MAC! The LEAGUE has a combined record of 3-23 currently. Oof.

[MolonLaxe]

UMass leaving A10 for MAC. However, they are asking for an exception for mens and women's lax.

Can't see MAC letting UMass women stay in MAC. Would be a boost to the MAC long-term, even though UMass may win most of their conference games by 10+ goals over first couple years.

This one is interesting to me. I think they have a great shot of winning the MAC in lacrosse and honestly, their football team puts them squarely within the MAC. Maybe squarely towards the bottom of football, but it makes sense.

Will be curious if they get an exception, but I'm thinking that is unlikely. Conferences are constantly shifting.

They absolutely better win the MAC! The LEAGUE has a combined record of 3-23 currently. Oof.

It's a new conference and while a few of the schools have had lax for some time, most have not.

TNLAX--

Thanks for sharing the article!

[forthelaxofit]

Nice article and some thoughts from Florida head coach on making the change to a new conference.

https://www.gainesville.com/story/sport ... 716391007/

The point about getting to play in CA and CO for recruiting is an interesting angle I hadn't thought of. The part about more flexibility to play higher ranked OOC opponents, I don't know? Yes they played Loyola, UNC and MD already and a game still with Princeton, but rest of OOC schedule isn't exactly pushing the strength of schedule envelope this year. Jacksonville, ASU, UC Davis, San Diego State, Mercer, Furman & Liberty. If coach really wanted to up the OOC schedule, she could have this year and didn't. If I was a betting man, I bet they end up like Jacksonville and play 75% of their games within the state of Florida as teams are willing to travel south for better weather games.

[spidey44]

Nice article and some thoughts from Florida head coach on making the change to a new conference.

https://www.gainesville.com/story/sport ... 716391007/

The point about getting to play in CA and CO for recruiting is an interesting angle I hadn't thought of. The part about more flexibility to play higher ranked OOC opponents, I don't know? Yes they played Loyola, UNC and MD already and a game still with Princeton, but rest of OOC schedule isn't exactly pushing the strength of schedule envelope this year. Jacksonville, ASU, UC Davis, San Diego State, Mercer, Furman & Liberty. If coach really wanted to up the OOC schedule, she could have this year and didn't. If I was a betting man, I bet they end up like Jacksonville and play 75% of their games within the state of Florida as teams are willing to travel south for better weather games.

I found that portion interesting as well. They also fail to factor in Cincy leaving so USF and UNCC only nets 1 additional in conference game. As someone else pointed out, the move ensures that a worthy team gets the auto-bid to the tourney. Not sure the Big12 is going to be anymore competitive than the AAC as they are trying to claim in the article.

[lax410]

UMass leaving A10 for MAC. However, they are asking for an exception for mens and women's lax.

Can't see MAC letting UMass women stay in MAC. Would be a boost to the MAC long-term, even though UMass may win most of their conference games by 10+ goals over first couple years.

This one is interesting to me. I think they have a great shot of winning the MAC in lacrosse and honestly, their football team puts them squarely within the MAC. Maybe squarely towards the bottom of football, but it makes sense.

Will be curious if they get an exception, but I'm thinking that is unlikely. Conferences are constantly shifting.

I’m not following…UMass wants to stay A10 for lacrosse right? The MAC doesn’t fit UMass at all.

[lacrossemwj]

Seems official. UMass lacrosse just posted that they are joining the MAC for the 25-26 season.

[MolonLaxe]

The MAC is committed to football and they seem to be equally committed to Women's Lacrosse. With the Big 10 stretching from sea to shining sea in football, there's no reason UMass couldn't jump to the MAC. IMO it all hinges on football and how committed a school is to that particular sport.

The 2025 season should be all UMass on the women's lacrosse field and hopefully, it will help improve the conference.

[lax410]

Tough for UMass recruiting. Can’t see these midwestern MAC schools garnering much excitement from potential recruits.

[MolonLaxe]

Tough for UMass recruiting. Can’t see these midwestern MAC schools garnering much excitement from potential recruits.

On the lax side or football?

Looking through the rosters right now--CMU has 11 of the players from out east. See below.

Central Michigan
NY - 5
MD - 2
NJ - 2
MA - 1
PA - 1

Ohio - 6
IL - 5
MI - 3
IN - 1

Texas - 3
GA - 2
FL - 1
Ontario - 1
CO - 1
KY - 1


Eastern Michigan
MD - 8
NY - 4
NJ - 3
PA - 4
DE - 1

I think most every MAC school does recruit decently out east. Each seem to do a good job selling some of their own advantages. CMU has a medical school and it can be easier for someone in their undergrad to get in. Kent State has a solid reputation for their dentistry program, with kids deciding to go on there or move on to Ohio State's program, etc.

[lax410]

Tough for UMass recruiting. Can’t see these midwestern MAC schools garnering much excitement from potential recruits.

On the lax side or football?

Looking through the rosters right now--CMU has 11 of the players from out east. See below.

Central Michigan
NY - 5
MD - 2
NJ - 2
MA - 1
PA - 1

Ohio - 6
IL - 5
MI - 3
IN - 1

Texas - 3
GA - 2
FL - 1
Ontario - 1
CO - 1
KY - 1


Eastern Michigan
MD - 8
NY - 4
NJ - 3
PA - 4
DE - 1

I think most every MAC school does recruit decently out east. Each seem to do a good job selling some of their own advantages. CMU has a medical school and it can be easier for someone in their undergrad to get in. Kent State has a solid reputation for their dentistry program, with kids deciding to go on there or move on to Ohio State's program, etc.

Hmm I’m not sure girls who were hoping to play in a reasonably competitive conference like the A10 will be wowed by the MAC. It’s really not at the same level.

[MolonLaxe]

Tough for UMass recruiting. Can’t see these midwestern MAC schools garnering much excitement from potential recruits.

On the lax side or football?

Looking through the rosters right now--CMU has 11 of the players from out east. See below.

Central Michigan
NY - 5
MD - 2
NJ - 2
MA - 1
PA - 1

Ohio - 6
IL - 5
MI - 3
IN - 1

Texas - 3
GA - 2
FL - 1
Ontario - 1
CO - 1
KY - 1


Eastern Michigan
MD - 8
NY - 4
NJ - 3
PA - 4
DE - 1

I think most every MAC school does recruit decently out east. Each seem to do a good job selling some of their own advantages. CMU has a medical school and it can be easier for someone in their undergrad to get in. Kent State has a solid reputation for their dentistry program, with kids deciding to go on there or move on to Ohio State's program, etc.

Hmm I’m not sure girls who were hoping to play in a reasonably competitive conference like the A10 will be wowed by the MAC. It’s really not at the same level.

With UMass being 0-3 this year it’s not a bad move.

[lax410]

Ha well for sure UMass would win that conference

[jff97]

Some perspective from Florida about why they moved to the Big 12. O'Leary said it was to schedule more tough non-conference games. Also said she's working on scheduling a non-conference series with JMU.
https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/co ... ig-12-2025

[spidey44]

Some perspective from Florida about why they moved to the Big 12. O'Leary said it was to schedule more tough non-conference games. Also said she's working on scheduling a non-conference series with JMU.
https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/co ... ig-12-2025

They will only net one extra OOC game with this move. No one is forcing them to play Mercer and Furman.
*amending to say I guess they'll have two extra since only 6 teams in Big12. I also wouldn't put Florida in the camp that only schedules cupcakes OOC.