ODU Lacrosse To Join The American Athletic Conference

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -The American Athletic Conference has announced that the Old Dominion women's lacrosse team will join the league beginning July 1, 2020. The Monarchs are moving from the BIG EAST, where they played in 2019 and 2020. The Monarchs have also been members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (2015-2018) and the Colonial Athletic Association (1992-2013).

"It's essential that we support the women's lacrosse community as the sport develops, supporting and making decisions that are good for the continued growth and evolution of the sport. Our move to the American Athletic Conference helps the sport of women's lacrosse at the Division I level, and it also aligns us with a number of programs that are competing at the highest national level," ODU Athletics Director Dr. Wood Selig said. "Additionally, this will enable us to have a natural rival in East Carolina, an emerging program entering its fourth season in 2021.
 
"We've enjoyed a strong relationship already with The American in the sport of women's rowing and look forward to adding to this relationship with women's lacrosse."
 
The American began sponsoring women's lacrosse in 2019, with Florida winning the inaugural league title. The Gators lost to North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Before the 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus, Florida had a 6-2 record and was ranked No. 7 in the country. Vanderbilt was receiving votes in the most recent Inside Lacrosse Poll, having played five ranked programs already in the season, including a 14-13 win over No. 10 Denver. At the time the season was canceled, four of the six teams in the league had a winning record.
 
The American will consist of six programs in 2021, including ODU, Florida, Vanderbilt, Temple, East Carolina and Cincinnati.
 
"We are really looking forward to this new chapter in ODU lacrosse," said head coach Heather Holt. "The American Athletic Conference is a strong lacrosse conference with several amazing programs. Although we enjoyed our time in the BIG EAST, this new adventure is another great step in advancing our program to a higher level. We look forward to The American competitions next April."