Cal Lutheran Reinstates Women’s Lacrosse Program

Effective immediately, California Lutheran University will reinstate women’s lacrosse.

In April, Cal Lutheran made the incredibly difficult decision to discontinue the women’s lacrosse program due to a history of lower interest when compared to other women’s programs. In response to advocacy from the lacrosse student-athletes, our university leadership, athletic department, and community stakeholders have worked to find an alternative path that included potential reinstatement. All are dedicated to helping the team thrive going forward.

The response and promised support from the broader lacrosse community over the past few months has invigorated a desire and confidence that Cal Lutheran can field a robust women’s lacrosse roster.

Cal Lutheran is working diligently with coach MacEllen McDonough and is optimistic that she will return as the program head coach. “Coach McDonough’s work has always been exemplary, and the discontinuance was never a reflection of that,” said Howard Davis, Cal Lutheran associate vice president and athletic director. “We are reinstating the program with even greater support and additional efforts to recruit and retain lacrosse student-athletes.”   Also, the university has determined it will conduct a gender equity review this year to identify if there are any gaps in its Title IX compliance, and, if necessary, it will develop and adopt a Gender Equity Plan designed to bring any and all aspects of its intercollegiate athletic program into compliance with Title IX, if any such compliance issues are identified.