The major college conference landscape continues to evolve.
To say the least.
The latest change came today, with Maryland announcing it will be leaving the ACC and joining the Big 10.
Rutgers is expected to announce it will be departing the Big East and also joining the Big 10 on Tuesday, giving the Big 10 a total of 14 teams.
What does all this mean for lacrosse?
For starters, even with the additions of Maryland and Rutgers, the Big 10 is still one team shy from having the six teams necessary to have an automatic NCAA Tournament qualifier. Rutgers’ departure from the Big East, meanwhile, will give the Big East five men’s lacrosse-playing squads — thereby losing its automatic qualifier unless another team is added.
By adding Maryland and Rutgers, the Big 10, and its recently launched TV network, have widened their reach to the New York City market (No. 1 in the nation) as well as the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore markets.
One thing is certain. There will be more news to come.
After all, when it comes to major collegiate athletics these days, the only constant is change.
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Posted In: College lacrosse
This is a financial windfall for Maryland but in no way does it benefit lacrosse at all. For Rutgers, where it is right now I think it’s a win win across the board.
Bottom line – Maryland has made back to back appearances in the finals. The lax program was thriving in the ACC. This in no way will help lax program and will likely set it back.
Great move for Rutgers to escape the free-fallin’ Big East and now be grouped with some of the biggest universities and brands in college sports – like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, etc. This can only lift the athletic program overall. Key will be for one more Big Ten member like Michigan State or Indiana adding a D-I men’s lax program so Big Ten can have the 6 teams need to get a automatic NCAA conference qualifying bid.
Still shocking to me. Maryland is an ACC charter member. The ACC just added Syracuse and Pitt and Notre Dame for all sports but football. Just shows how deep purse strings for Big 10 are.
Big Ten is banking on Rutgers’ potential and that it can achieve it with Big 10 resources. Worth the game to try to get into NYC market. Lax and basketball programs will benefit from trickle down affect of football.
Maryland’s fate is much less certain. If I’m an East Coast recruit how does this make Maryland more appealing? Obviously lacrosse was an afterthought though as Maryland is looking to sell out home football games with opponents like Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska and get more TV money and exposure.
Definitely a minus for lax recruiting for Maryland. Im hearing a couple/three kids have already decommitted.