New programs

[bmorelax]

Men's D2 NCAA bids went from 8 teams to 12 teams in 2019
In 2021, the number was reduced to 10 teams because of loss of revenue from the 2020 COVID season.
The number should go back to 12 teams this year.

[StuckinD2]

Men's D2 NCAA bids went from 8 teams to 12 teams in 2019
In 2021, the number was reduced to 10 teams because of loss of revenue from the 2020 COVID season.
The number should go back to 12 teams this year.

From my understanding you’re correct and the bracket has been brought back to 12 this year. My point was more towards future growth of the bracket, like currently on the D2 womens side. Or even like D1 with more teams and AQs.

[RedFromMI]

Men's D2 NCAA bids went from 8 teams to 12 teams in 2019
In 2021, the number was reduced to 10 teams because of loss of revenue from the 2020 COVID season.
The number should go back to 12 teams this year.

From my understanding you’re correct and the bracket has been brought back to 12 this year. My point was more towards future growth of the bracket, like currently on the D2 womens side. Or even like D1 with more teams and AQs.

Until you get to at least 16 teams in the bracket AQs become very difficult to support. You have 4 conferences in the current North, but at least a couple of the ECC teams not yet eligible for the NCAA tourney (leaving 5 that are eligible) that might require 3 AQs and soon 4.

In the South, there are onferences, but the RMAC has only 4 teams presently, so those teams are considered independents for the purposes of tournament play. That would require 5 AQs for those conferences with 6 or more members.

At 16 teams or better 18 teams in the bracket that can work, but probably not at 12.

[pridelax13]

I don't know if you will see an AQ's in D2. One of the core aspects of D2 compared to D1 and D3 is the regional model that they employ. Would I like to see the tournament grow? absolutely. I think their should be 8 teams in the north who make and 8 in the south but I doubt they add AQ's.

[leeatu]

It will probably be a very long time before D2 lax (men's or women's) uses the AQ. No sport in D2 that selects less than 40 playoff teams has the AQ. Football uses a different Earned Access process.

[RedFromMI]

It will probably be a very long time before D2 lax (men's or women's) uses the AQ. No sport in D2 that selects less than 40 playoff teams has the AQ. Football uses a different Earned Access process.

Not necessarily - there used to be a rule limiting AQs to fields of a minimum size - but that rule was changes I think in 2016. Given the number of conferences sponsoring lax is relatively small compared to say, basketball, you could see it if there is enough support for it, and the bracket is large enough so that the big conferences (NE10, SAC for example) with lots of members and multiple top 20 teams each year don't feel threatened by smaller conferences getting a sure spot...

[jakester]

Virginia State University is adding both men's and women's lacrosse programs. First D2 program from Virginia state and the announcement says they want to start in spring 2023. No mention which conference they will be in.

https://govsutrojans.com/news/2022/4/5/ ... ities.aspx

[Warrior62]

Good to see another d 2 program. Ut why do new programs insist on starting right away. It will be very difficult to start now and have a team by next spring

[River Donkey]

Good to see another d 2 program. Ut why do new programs insist on starting right away. It will be very difficult to start now and have a team by next spring

Because they don’t care about success, just the bump in enrollment with a new team.

[leeatu]

Tiffin adding for the 2024 season.

https://gotiffindragons.com/general/202 ... 0510o7ehoh

[Laxguru333]

Tiffin adding for the 2024 season.

https://gotiffindragons.com/general/202 ... 0510o7ehoh

Thoughts on how this decision effects the GMAC?

[LaxPundit07]

Virginia State University is adding both men's and women's lacrosse programs. First D2 program from Virginia state and the announcement says they want to start in spring 2023. No mention which conference they will be in.

https://govsutrojans.com/news/2022/4/5/ ... ities.aspx

Cool to see another HBCU add lacrosse. Rooting for them!

[leeatu]

Tiffin adding for the 2024 season.

https://gotiffindragons.com/general/202 ... 0510o7ehoh

Thoughts on how this decision effects the GMAC?

The conference strength will initially drop because there are two new programs and the addition of Thomas More to the conference in the next couple years. For number of teams this is big as it gives the GMAC 5 full members with a team. Four MEC members have a team and if there are developments that gives the MEC the opportunity to sponsor men's lax then it might have put the GMAC in a bad spot if not for the Malone, Tiffin, and TMU additions.

[DQKing]

https://greatmidwestsports.com/news/202 ... on-ii.aspx

This seems like the same news as before regarding Thomas More. Am I missing new developments?

[leeatu]

https://greatmidwestsports.com/news/202 ... on-ii.aspx

This seems like the same news as before regarding Thomas More. Am I missing new developments?

It's just the release about TMU being accepted to the D2 membership process. They will begin playing a GMAC and D2 schedule in 2023-24 with expected full membership in 2025.

[leeatu]

Holy Family (CACC) starts in 2024.

https://athletics.holyfamily.edu/news/2 ... 23-24.aspx

With this addition, D2 is looking at having 80 teams competing in the 2024 season.

[LacrosseFan33]

Nova Southeastern adding mens and women's

https://nsusharks.com/news/2022/9/19/ge ... rosse.aspx

[jakester]

Nova Southeastern adding mens and women's

https://nsusharks.com/news/2022/9/19/ge ... rosse.aspx

Good school and it shouldn't be hard to recruit. It all depends on who they hire as a HC.

[Leonard Washington]

Good school and it shouldn't be hard to recruit. It all depends on who they hire as a HC.

Agreed. This move has been talked about for a while and I'm glad it finally is seeing the light of day.

Also, almost 2 full years to build a roster.

Smart move by administration

[Old&InTheWay]

Should be an interesting hire. Any thoughts on who they should look at?