CALDWELL, Idaho – College of Idaho athletic director
Reagan Rossi has announced that men's lacrosse has been moved from a club sport to varsity status for the 2018 season.
Lacrosse will become the tenth men's varsity sport – joining baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, skiing, soccer, swimming and track & field. It marks the first varsity men's lacrosse team in the State of Idaho – and joins the University of Providence (Mont.), Marymount (Calif.) and Westminster College (Utah) as the only small college varsity programs west of the Rockies.
Student-athletes will have the ability to earn athletic-based aid, while budgets for the program have shifted from student fees to the athletic department.
"We are excited to have lacrosse move to a varsity sport," Rossi said. I feel this is the best transition for student-athletes and our department. The leadership that
Matt Gier has provided will make this a natural transition and will continue to enhance the student athlete experience on our campus."
C of I lacrosse began as a club sport in 2004, but has rose into prominence over the past three seasons, under the direction of head coach
Matt Gier – a player on that very first squad.
"We started the program years ago to give students a chance to play after high school and to continue a lacrosse brotherhood," Gier said. "When I took over as head coach in 2010, having a varsity program has always been the dream. This is a culmination of hard work and dedication from lacrosse players past and present, along with an administration that believes in our program."
During his eight years as coach, Gier has led the Yotes to four postseason appearances, including each of the last three seasons – with the team climbing as high as No. 15 in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Top-25 poll.
Initially, things will operate status quo for the team – as the Yotes will remain members of the MCLA Division II and opt out of NAIA competition. C of I completed a perfect 11-0 regular-season record in winning the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League title and advancing to the PNCLL Tournament title game before losing to Montana, 12-9.
"We will remain an MCLA member for the time being – ensuring a solid schedule against regional opponents and rivals," Gier said. "Men's lacrosse in the NAIA is an emerging sport with over 30 teams currently active, but it is not conceivable from a budget standpoint to travel to play your entire schedule in the Midwest or the South – where all of the countable opponents are."
On the horizon as well is the potential for a women's program – something that could be very beneficial to the College – as there are currently five other varsity programs in the Northwest.
"High school girls' lacrosse has exploded in the Treasure Valley," Gier said. "I believe a C of I women's program would take off quickly and has the ability to be successful from the start."
Rossi echoes Gier's sentiments.
"The College is examining women's lacrosse as a potential varsity sport," Rossi said. "We want to make sure we have everything in place from Day 1 for the program to be a success for the College, our department and to the potential student-athletes."
