Q&A 3CWLAX
Q: May we move forward with adding women's lacrosse or do we have to wait for it to become a 3C2A Sport?
A: Yes, you may start your team now. You don't have to wait.
A: Yes, you may start your team now. You don't have to wait.
Q: What is the path to competition when we add women's lacrosse?
A: The WWLL is the immediate path to competition. It's a mix of non-scholarship four-year clubs and 3C2A teams but it's a legal way to provide a path to competition.
A: The WWLL is the immediate path to competition. It's a mix of non-scholarship four-year clubs and 3C2A teams but it's a legal way to provide a path to competition.
Q: May we count this for the every three years progress toward program expansion for the under-represented gender?
A: Yes, it's already being done in women's lacrosse and other sports not yet in the 3C2A. Moreover, "unless the school is in compliance with Parts One or Two of the three-part test, Part Three requires it to add viable teams – i.e., teams for which interest and ability are available, along with competition. There is no requirement that says anything about the team being sponsored by the conference." – Arthur Bryant, Title IX Attorney.
A: Yes, it's already being done in women's lacrosse and other sports not yet in the 3C2A. Moreover, "unless the school is in compliance with Parts One or Two of the three-part test, Part Three requires it to add viable teams – i.e., teams for which interest and ability are available, along with competition. There is no requirement that says anything about the team being sponsored by the conference." – Arthur Bryant, Title IX Attorney.
Q: How do we know a team & athletes we add will count before the 3C2A officially labels it a sport?
A: Title IX is not level specific; Association of Title IX Administrators, Title IX Compliance & Athletics, page 12 which states, "Title IX does not require an institution to compete at a specific level."
A: Title IX is not level specific; Association of Title IX Administrators, Title IX Compliance & Athletics, page 12 which states, "Title IX does not require an institution to compete at a specific level."
Q: Is there precedent for adding a sport before it's a 3C2A sport?
A: Yes, Fullerton added women's lacrosse in their PE and Athletic departments in 2018-19. They compete in the WWLL which is under the WCLA, part of USA Lacrosse, the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport. Orange Coast fields two rowing teams and counts those athletes on their R-4 form reporting and equity in athletics disclosure act reporting. Onondaga College, a NJCAA school, intercollegiate women's lacrosse team joined the WCLA recently for the 2024-25 season.
A: Yes, Fullerton added women's lacrosse in their PE and Athletic departments in 2018-19. They compete in the WWLL which is under the WCLA, part of USA Lacrosse, the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport. Orange Coast fields two rowing teams and counts those athletes on their R-4 form reporting and equity in athletics disclosure act reporting. Onondaga College, a NJCAA school, intercollegiate women's lacrosse team joined the WCLA recently for the 2024-25 season.
Q: What is the traditional season for women's lacrosse?
A: It's a spring sport played on a field about the size of a combo football / soccer field (120 yards x 60 yards). The rules allow 60 to 70 yards wide and 110 yards to 130 yards long. Smaller fields can be approved by local officiating boards.
A: It's a spring sport played on a field about the size of a combo football / soccer field (120 yards x 60 yards). The rules allow 60 to 70 yards wide and 110 yards to 130 yards long. Smaller fields can be approved by local officiating boards.
Q: How many players on a team?
A: Twelve positions on the field and a roster size of about 24 players.
A: Twelve positions on the field and a roster size of about 24 players.
Q: What if some of our basketball and soccer players play lacrosse too?
A: Lots of young women play both at the high school level. Count those athletes twice on your Form R-4 and EADA reporting in the total participants count sections.
A: Lots of young women play both at the high school level. Count those athletes twice on your Form R-4 and EADA reporting in the total participants count sections.
Q: What about the cost for a program?
A: It will require about the same budget as your women's soccer team.
A: It will require about the same budget as your women's soccer team.
Q: Is there an approved P.E. curriculum?
A: Yes. The Fullerton College curriculum was state approved January 4, 2017. Several more are approved or in the approval process but that was the first one.
A: Yes. The Fullerton College curriculum was state approved January 4, 2017. Several more are approved or in the approval process but that was the first one.
Q: What about injuries?
A: The most common injuries are to the ankle and knee. It is not a contact sport requiring an Athletic Trainer present at practice unless that's your institution requirement.
A: The most common injuries are to the ankle and knee. It is not a contact sport requiring an Athletic Trainer present at practice unless that's your institution requirement.
Q: Is women's lacrosse played at four-year schools?
A: Yes. It's a sport with recruitment to 528 NCAA teams, 42 NAIA teams & 227 WCLA teams.
A: Yes. It's a sport with recruitment to 528 NCAA teams, 42 NAIA teams & 227 WCLA teams.
Q: What are we in for while competition is mixed in the WWLL?
A: First, it's all non-scholarship and same student-athlete eligibility rules 3C2A schools use. Second, you'll be in WWLL D2 and in 2023 SBCC were 12-3 and Fullerton were 3-6 playing in that division.
A: First, it's all non-scholarship and same student-athlete eligibility rules 3C2A schools use. Second, you'll be in WWLL D2 and in 2023 SBCC were 12-3 and Fullerton were 3-6 playing in that division.
Q: Will the WWLL consider a community college only division?
A: Yes. Four or more CC teams and it will be the 3CWLA Division. Other non-conference games can be arranged per your scheduling choices, perhaps competitive ability and geography.
A: Yes. Four or more CC teams and it will be the 3CWLA Division. Other non-conference games can be arranged per your scheduling choices, perhaps competitive ability and geography.
Q: What do I do if I'm a student at a community college who wants to play?
A: Contact your athletic department and student life offices simultaneously about starting a team.
A: Contact your athletic department and student life offices simultaneously about starting a team.
