TicketsIRVING, Texas -- The Big 12 Conference has announced it will add women's lacrosse for the 2024-25 academic year, completing Cincinnati's athletics-wide move to the league.
"This is an exciting moment for our lacrosse program, our athletics department and the University of Cincinnati," Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. "I am grateful to the Big 12's leadership for adding lacrosse to the league's already excellent roster of sport offerings. Most of all, I'm thrilled for our lacrosse student-athletes, who will get to compete in the Big 12 along with our other programs. This announcement fully solidifies our athletics department's transition to the Big 12."
Incoming conference members Arizona State and Colorado also sponsor the sport.
"This is BIG!" Cincinnati head lacrosse coach Gina Thomas said. "This not only completes our entry into the Big 12 conference as a university, but it elevates our program in every way. Having one of the premier conferences adding the sport proves why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We are committed to growing the game and our team has BIG goals to compete on the national stage."
This spring will be the Bearcats' final one in the AAC, which began offering the sport in 2019. UC was previously in the Big East from 2009-18 and independent in its inaugural 2008 season.
Along with newly announced beach volleyball, the Big 12 now has 25 sponsored sports, including 15 for women.
"This is an exciting moment for our lacrosse program, our athletics department and the University of Cincinnati," Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. "I am grateful to the Big 12's leadership for adding lacrosse to the league's already excellent roster of sport offerings. Most of all, I'm thrilled for our lacrosse student-athletes, who will get to compete in the Big 12 along with our other programs. This announcement fully solidifies our athletics department's transition to the Big 12."
Incoming conference members Arizona State and Colorado also sponsor the sport.
"This is BIG!" Cincinnati head lacrosse coach Gina Thomas said. "This not only completes our entry into the Big 12 conference as a university, but it elevates our program in every way. Having one of the premier conferences adding the sport proves why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We are committed to growing the game and our team has BIG goals to compete on the national stage."
This spring will be the Bearcats' final one in the AAC, which began offering the sport in 2019. UC was previously in the Big East from 2009-18 and independent in its inaugural 2008 season.
Along with newly announced beach volleyball, the Big 12 now has 25 sponsored sports, including 15 for women.