How Lacrosse Has Continued To Grow In Popularity Across America

ByScotty Jenkins

3 min read

How Lacrosse Has Continued To Grow In Popularity Across America

Lacrosse is frequently referred to as “the fastest sport on two feet” and its growth over the last two decades suggests it is the may not lose that reputation anytime soon.

For some quick context, during the 2009/10 high school year, there were 90,670 boys and 68,768 girls playing high school lacrosse in the United States. During the 2018/19 high school season, there were 113,702 boys and 99,750 girls playing. Thats a 25% increase in participation for the boys' high school sport and almost double the amount of girls playing lacrosse in high school.

The rise of lacrosse as a rapidly-growing sport across the country is due to multiple factors. Let's examine a few of those reasons below:

More Kids Are Seeing Lacrosse Than Ever Before

One factor is the increase in access to watching great lacrosse players. A search of Youtube finds lacrosse highlights making their way to SportsCenter as early as an April 10th, 2007 episode that featured a Cornell vs. Syracuse highlights package as the top play in a Top 10 countdown.

Since then, people have seen goals, saves, and even fights popping up on Twitter, Instagram, and now TikTok and GMTM. Sports fans across the country were introduced to a sport they did not know much about, but they could see jaw-dropping highlights like players running at full speed and scoring behind-the-back goals that they likely had never seen before.


Growth Of Professional Leagues Across North America

Fans also had the chance to watch professionals playing lacrosse starting in the early 2000s. Major League Lacrosse was founded in 1999 and played its inaugural season in 2001.

The MLL was the first professional field lacrosse league in the United States and gave collegiate lacrosse players an opportunity to continue playing with regularity after graduation. Greater opportunity for playing beyond college can lead to more youth playing a sport and taking that sport more seriously if they have the talent. It also meant that adults and kids alike could see people playing field lacrosse after college for the first time ever. Then in 2003, the MLL signed a contract with ESPN to have weekly games shown on ESPN2 and additional games could be streamed on ESPN3.

The presence of professional lacrosse starting in the early 2000s with the MLL and professional indoor (or "box") lacrosse with the National Lacrosse League meant more options to watch. Now, the Premier Lacrosse League, the top field lacrosse league in the US, and the NLL have contracts with ESPN for games to be shown.


An Increase In College Scholarships And Opportunities

Colleges have seen this and have worked to capitalize on the growth starting in the early 2000s. Between 2003 and 2018, colleges added lacrosse teams at an incredible rate. That increase allowed for greater participation. In 2006, 16,444 men were playing college lacrosse and 10,207 women were doing the same.

In 2018, there were 25,588 men and 17,640 women playing in college.While lacrosse teams may not balance the spreadsheets in a typical sense like a college football team, the demographic of student-athletes who play lacrosse can benefit a college. That was done with the motivation of keeping student-athletes who may not come on scholarship and instead pay full tuition in-state.

There are certainly players who would still take the chance to play for a traditional powerhouse such as John Hopkins, Maryland, or Syracuse, but smaller colleges could see the financial benefit by keeping players who may not star for a Top 25 school.


Regardless of why lacrosse has seen incredible growth in the last 20 years, it appears that lacrosse is here to stay and with greater opportunities to play at all levels as well.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
The company behind Elite 11 knows more than just quarterbacks

The company behind Elite 11 knows more than just quarterbacks

Student Sports is a company dedicated to organizing and promoting sports events and programs for...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Apr 10 2023
How To Play Professional Sports Outside Of The United States

How To Play Professional Sports Outside Of The United States

Are you a young athlete aspiring to travel the world? Have you wondered which sport(s) would give...

ByNisshanth Perumalsamy | Fri Apr 07 2023
4 GMTM Athletes Attend USA Football's National Team Trials

4 GMTM Athletes Attend USA Football's National Team Trials

March 10, 2023 - It’s a gray, rainy Friday morning in Charlotte, NC. We’re inside the Belk...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Mar 16 2023
Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

For college basketball fans around the country, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year....

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Mar 07 2023
Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Does football season really end anymore? The day after the Super Bowl, which marks the end of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
What new sports could be coming to your high school in the future?

What new sports could be coming to your high school in the future?

Sports is a vital part of high schools throughout the country. They help students interact with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt Jr's injury during an amateur football game resulted in...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Mar 02 2023
Olympic Talent ID: Six Hopeful National Team Athletes Posting On GMTM

Olympic Talent ID: Six Hopeful National Team Athletes Posting On GMTM

If you are an athlete at a young age, it is very common to have the dream of representing your...

ByNisshanth Perumalsamy | Fri Feb 17 2023
Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

It’s what you have dreamed of, worked for, and waited on your whole life - a coveted college...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Feb 13 2023
Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Injuries are a major part of athletics, and a high percentage of student-athletes competing in NCAA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 07 2023
Former Texas football player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Former Texas football player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Ten promising Olympic hopefuls were chosen by USA Bobsled and Skeleton to attend their January...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jan 24 2023
Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

The average family of a youth volleyball player will spend $30,000 a year to compete at an elite...

ByJoey Grant | Tue Jan 24 2023
Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

What is the thing that has driven the $90 billion Sports industry? Talent Without talent, Sports...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Jan 19 2023
Former BYU Volleyball player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Former BYU Volleyball player earns an invite to USA Bobsled Rookie Training

Ten promising Olympic hopefuls were chosen by USA Bobsled and Skeleton to attend their January...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jan 04 2023
2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

Since GMTM first launched a Virtual Event in 2020, a lot has changed on the platform. New social...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 30 2022
Frequently Asked Questions: Team USA Winter Sports Community on GMTM

Frequently Asked Questions: Team USA Winter Sports Community on GMTM

This article was written to help athletes navigate the Team USA: Winter Sports hub on GMTM. To read...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 29 2022
Team USA Creates Community Hub For Winter Sports

Team USA Creates Community Hub For Winter Sports

Team USA and GMTM are partnering to create a Winter Sports Hub to allow high-performance staff,...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 29 2022
Bobsled Tryouts: Which other sports produce the best American bobsledders?

Bobsled Tryouts: Which other sports produce the best American bobsledders?

The U.S. National Bobsled Team is pretty unique when compared to the roster of other winter Olympic...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Dec 14 2022
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
USA Weightlifting Names ‘The Strongest High School Athletes In America’

USA Weightlifting Names ‘The Strongest High School Athletes In America’

The title of "Strongest High School Athlete In America" has been decided. This fall, High school...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

When it comes to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, perhaps one of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

In soccer, formations define the different positions on the field taken by each player of a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 18 2022
Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Beach volleyball [gmtm.com/articles/tag/beach-volleyball] is a fun and exciting sport for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 04 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

In a free virtual combine called the High School Throwdown presented by Caffeine & Kilos, USA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Oct 31 2022
What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

In the 21st century, major sports have had to walk an interesting tightrope. They’ve had to balance...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Oct 24 2022
Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

On the 15th of October, 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 19 2022
Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

There’s an interesting dichotomy between sports and gambling. They’re natural partners, and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 18 2022
Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Plenty of high school athletes think they have what it takes to play sports in college. However,...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Oct 13 2022
Sports Psychology: What traits of character are needed for an athlete to win?

Sports Psychology: What traits of character are needed for an athlete to win?

What do you think of when you think about the top super star athletes around the world? It can be...

ByGrace White | Mon Oct 10 2022
How to Handle College Media As a Mid-Major Athlete

How to Handle College Media As a Mid-Major Athlete

Generally speaking playing at a mid-major Division I school means not having to worry about seeing...

ByJamison White | Sun Oct 09 2022
Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

By now we are all familiar with the Alston case that shifted the dynamics of college sports, as...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

First time watching lacrosse? Kinda complicated, right? Well, basically you're just trying to get...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

If you’ve ever tried the sport of skiing, you’ve certainly felt the rush that comes when you speed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 29 2022
College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

We’re at the point in the college football calendar where teams are assessing whether they’d like...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 28 2022
College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors announced a new...

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Sep 24 2022
College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

Picking the right college can be a tough task for any high school senior, but it can be a unique...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Sep 23 2022
Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Lacrosse has long been known as an east coast sport in the United States, but has seen growth...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

Coaches from the United States’ Olympic teams are serious about helping athletes from different...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

Athletes and parents often ask for college scholarship money during the athletic recruiting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 21 2022
Running: Can a long distance runner turn into a sprinter?

Running: Can a long distance runner turn into a sprinter?

Long-distance running is very different from sprint. It is interesting to see how athletes...

ByJamison White | Tue Sep 20 2022
Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Being a new platform working to revolutionize the way athletes are connected with opportunities is...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Sep 19 2022
Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Earlier this month, we witnessed the 2021 Major League...

ByJohnathan Wright | Sat Sep 17 2022
College Football: Why Head Coach Salaries At Top Schools Keep Going Up

College Football: Why Head Coach Salaries At Top Schools Keep Going Up

What does one normally associate with the position of college football head coach? Leaders of men....

ByBryan Armetta | Sun Sep 04 2022
How Athletes From Different Backgrounds Are Discovering Handball On GMTM

How Athletes From Different Backgrounds Are Discovering Handball On GMTM

Cinch Smith took a familiar route to find a place in college baseball. The 6’1” right-handed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 01 2022
USA Football Partners With GMTM   For National Team Identification

USA Football Partners With GMTM For National Team Identification

Football continues to be America's most popular sport. As another season is underway, football fans...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Aug 27 2022
Ten New USA Bobsled Athletes Who Were Discovered On GMTM

Ten New USA Bobsled Athletes Who Were Discovered On GMTM

Following the social distancing mandates and travel restrictions made during the pandemic in the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Aug 26 2022
Five Benefits Of Playing Sports At A Division-III College

Five Benefits Of Playing Sports At A Division-III College

With limited exposure to most casual sports fans and stadiums that are smaller than some Texas high...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Aug 25 2022