California Lutheran University announced on April 28 that it will discontinue its women’s lacrosse program, effective immediately. The decision follows a comprehensive review and is attributed to ongoing difficulties in maintaining a strong roster for the seven-year-old team.
The university said this move will allow greater focus on the remaining 22 varsity athletic programs. “While this was an incredibly difficult decision, it allows us to better focus on the strength and competitive success of our remaining 22 varsity programs,” Howard N. Davis, Ed.D., associate vice president/athletic director, said.
Student-athletes affected by the change will receive support from the athletics department as they consider entering the Transfer Portal to continue their athletic careers elsewhere. Academic and counseling services are being provided immediately and will remain available for all impacted students.
California Lutheran University competes in NCAA Division III through its Kingsmen and Regals teams in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, according to the official website. The university features a main campus covering 225 acres in Thousand Oaks along with additional satellite centers, as reported by its official website.
The institution enrolls more than 3,100 undergraduate and graduate students from various states and countries, according to its official website. It is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education according to its official website, affiliates with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America according to its official website, and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion to prepare graduates for community service according to its official website.
Davis said that although ending women’s lacrosse was not easy, it aligns with Cal Lutheran’s commitment “to helping students pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their communities.”
