ESPN NCAA Lacrosse TV Schedule 2021: Comprehensive Guide to College Lacrosse Coverage

When does the NCAA lacrosse season start. Which channels broadcast college lacrosse games. How can I watch NCAA lacrosse championships online. What are the key matchups to watch in college lacrosse this year.

NCAA Lacrosse Broadcast Landscape for 2021

The 2021 NCAA lacrosse season saw expanded television and streaming coverage across multiple networks and platforms. ESPN continued to be the primary rightsholder, airing games across its family of networks including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and streaming on ESPN+. Additional coverage was provided by conference-specific networks and regional sports networks.

Key elements of the 2021 NCAA lacrosse broadcast landscape included:

• Regular season games aired primarily on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+
• Conference tournament games broadcast on conference networks like ACC Network
• NCAA tournament games split between ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+
• Championship weekend aired on ESPN2 and ESPN
• Increased streaming options for cord-cutters via ESPN+ and other platforms

ESPN’s Coverage of NCAA Lacrosse in 2021

As the primary media partner for NCAA lacrosse, ESPN provided extensive coverage throughout the 2021 season. Their broadcast schedule included:

• Over 450 regular season games streamed on ESPN+
• Weekly showcase games on ESPNU
• Conference tournament coverage on ESPN networks
• All 16 games of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
• Select NCAA Division I Women’s, Division II, and Division III tournament games

ESPN utilized its deep roster of lacrosse analysts and play-by-play announcers to provide expert commentary. Notable names included Quint Kessenich, Paul Carcaterra, Sheehan Stanwick Burch, and Anish Shroff.

Key Regular Season Matchups and Broadcast Details

The 2021 NCAA lacrosse regular season featured several high-profile matchups that garnered national television coverage. Some of the marquee games included:

• Virginia vs. Syracuse (ACC Network)
• Notre Dame vs. Duke (ESPNU)
• Yale vs. Penn State (ESPN+)
• Maryland vs. Johns Hopkins (Big Ten Network)
• North Carolina vs. Duke (ESPNU)

These games showcased top programs and heated rivalries, drawing significant viewership. The expanded broadcast coverage allowed fans to follow their favorite teams and players throughout the season.

Conference Tournament Coverage and Networks

Conference tournament games received dedicated coverage on both ESPN platforms and conference-specific networks in 2021. The breakdown included:

• ACC Tournament: ACC Network
• Big Ten Tournament: Big Ten Network
• Ivy League Tournament: ESPN+
• Patriot League Tournament: CBS Sports Network
• Big East Tournament: FS2

These conference tournaments provided crucial late-season action and determined automatic qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. The variety of broadcast partners ensured widespread availability for fans.

NCAA Tournament Broadcast Schedule

The 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship received comprehensive coverage across ESPN networks. The tournament broadcast schedule was as follows:

• First Round: ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
• Quarterfinals: ESPNU
• Semifinals: ESPN2
• Championship Game: ESPN

ESPN’s commitment to airing all 16 games of the tournament provided unprecedented access for fans. The championship game on Memorial Day continued the tradition of showcasing college lacrosse’s pinnacle event on a major network.

Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters

The 2021 season saw an increase in streaming options for lacrosse fans without traditional cable subscriptions. Key platforms included:

• ESPN+: Provided access to hundreds of regular season games and select tournament matchups
• Peacock: Streamed Notre Dame home games
• Conference-specific streaming services: Allowed fans to follow their favorite teams
• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and fuboTV: Offered access to ESPN networks for streaming

These streaming options made it easier than ever for fans to follow NCAA lacrosse without a cable subscription, reflecting the changing media landscape.

Impact of Expanded Coverage on the Sport

The increased television and streaming presence of NCAA lacrosse in 2021 had several positive impacts on the sport:

• Greater exposure for programs and players
• Increased accessibility for fans
• Potential for attracting new viewers and growing the sport
• Enhanced recruiting opportunities for coaches
• Improved production quality and analysis

By providing more ways to watch and engage with college lacrosse, the expanded coverage helped solidify the sport’s position in the collegiate athletics landscape.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect NCAA lacrosse broadcasts in 2021?

The COVID-19 pandemic had several impacts on NCAA lacrosse broadcasts in 2021:

• Some games were postponed or canceled due to outbreaks
• Limited or no fans in attendance changed the broadcast atmosphere
• Increased reliance on remote production techniques
• Enhanced focus on player and staff safety protocols
• Flexibility in scheduling to accommodate last-minute changes

Despite these challenges, broadcasters adapted to provide continued coverage of the sport throughout the season.

What role did social media play in NCAA lacrosse coverage?

Social media platforms played an increasingly important role in NCAA lacrosse coverage during the 2021 season:

• Twitter: Provided real-time updates and highlights
• Instagram: Showcased behind-the-scenes content and player profiles
• TikTok: Engaged younger fans with viral challenges and trends
• YouTube: Hosted extended highlights and analysis
• Facebook: Facilitated fan discussions and live streams

These platforms complemented traditional broadcasts and allowed for greater fan engagement throughout the season.

Looking Ahead: Future of NCAA Lacrosse Broadcasting

As the popularity of college lacrosse continues to grow, the future of NCAA lacrosse broadcasting looks bright. Potential developments include:

• Increased number of nationally televised games
• Enhanced use of technology like player tracking and advanced statistics
• Virtual and augmented reality experiences for viewers
• Greater integration of social media and interactive elements
• Expansion of coverage to include more women’s games and lower divisions

These advancements could further elevate the visibility and appeal of NCAA lacrosse in the coming years.

How does NCAA lacrosse viewership compare to other college sports?

While NCAA lacrosse viewership has grown in recent years, it still trails behind more established college sports:

• Football and basketball remain the most-watched college sports
• Lacrosse viewership is comparable to sports like hockey and baseball
• Championship games can draw over 500,000 viewers
• Regular season viewership varies widely depending on matchups
• Streaming numbers have shown significant growth

Despite the gap, lacrosse’s upward trajectory in viewership is encouraging for the sport’s future.

What challenges do broadcasters face in covering NCAA lacrosse?

Broadcasters encounter several challenges when covering NCAA lacrosse:

• Explaining complex rules and strategies to casual viewers
• Balancing coverage between men’s and women’s games
• Coordinating broadcasts for simultaneous games during tournaments
• Adapting to varying facility qualities across different programs
• Maintaining viewer interest during potentially lopsided matchups

Overcoming these challenges is crucial for continued growth in lacrosse viewership and engagement.

The Role of Announcers and Analysts in NCAA Lacrosse Broadcasts

Announcers and analysts play a crucial role in enhancing the viewing experience for NCAA lacrosse broadcasts. Their contributions include:

• Providing play-by-play commentary to guide viewers through the action
• Offering expert analysis to explain strategies and player performances
• Sharing interesting anecdotes and background information on teams and players
• Breaking down complex rules and situations for casual fans
• Building excitement and narrative around key moments in games

Many announcers and analysts are former players or coaches, bringing valuable insider perspective to broadcasts.

Who are some of the top NCAA lacrosse broadcasters?

Several experienced broadcasters have become synonymous with NCAA lacrosse coverage:

• Quint Kessenich: Former All-American goalie and ESPN’s lead lacrosse analyst
• Paul Carcaterra: ESPN analyst and former Syracuse All-American
• Anish Shroff: Play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s lacrosse coverage
• Sheehan Stanwick Burch: Analyst for women’s lacrosse broadcasts
• Don Zimmerman: Former coach and current analyst for various networks

These broadcasters have helped shape the narrative around college lacrosse and educate viewers about the sport.

How do production techniques enhance lacrosse broadcasts?

Advanced production techniques have significantly improved the quality of NCAA lacrosse broadcasts:

• Multiple camera angles provide comprehensive coverage of the field
• Slow-motion replays allow for detailed analysis of key plays
• On-screen graphics display real-time statistics and player information
• Aerial shots from drones or blimps offer unique perspectives
• Microphones on officials and near the field capture the sounds of the game

These techniques help bring viewers closer to the action and enhance their understanding of the game.

The Growth of Women’s Lacrosse Coverage

Women’s college lacrosse has seen significant growth in broadcast coverage in recent years:

• Increased number of regular season games on ESPN platforms
• Expanded coverage of the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship
• Greater parity in production quality between men’s and women’s broadcasts
• More dedicated analysts and commentators for women’s games
• Rising viewership numbers, particularly for championship events

This expanded coverage has helped raise the profile of women’s lacrosse and showcase the high level of talent in the sport.

What are some key differences in broadcasting men’s and women’s lacrosse?

While the core elements of lacrosse broadcasts are similar, there are some key differences between men’s and women’s coverage:

• Rules explanations may be more frequent in women’s broadcasts due to differences from the men’s game
• Emphasis on different skills and strategies unique to each version of the sport
• Varying pace of play can affect the rhythm of commentary
• Different historical context and traditional powerhouses in each sport
• Growing focus on promoting equity in coverage between men’s and women’s games

Broadcasters must be well-versed in the nuances of both men’s and women’s lacrosse to provide effective coverage.

How has digital media impacted NCAA lacrosse coverage?

Digital media has revolutionized NCAA lacrosse coverage in several ways:

• Streaming platforms have made more games accessible to a wider audience
• On-demand replays allow fans to watch games at their convenience
• Digital-first content like podcasts and web series provide additional coverage
• Interactive features enhance fan engagement during live streams
• Analytics tools offer deeper insights into game statistics and trends

These digital innovations have helped lacrosse reach new audiences and provide more comprehensive coverage of the sport.

What channel is Duke vs. Notre Dame on today? Time, TV schedule for 2023 NCAA men’s lacrosse championship

The 2023 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournament comes down to this: Duke vs. Notre Dame.

Monday’s matchup between the Blue Devils and Irish guarantees a third championship for the ACC in the last five seasons, following Virginia’s victories in 2019 and 2021. This year’s national championship game was set up after Duke beat Penn State in overtime in the first national semifinal, followed by Notre Dame beating Virginia in OT in the second.

The only thing left to do is watch the final game of the season unfold. The Sporting News has everything you need to do that.

MORE: Watch NCAA men’s lacrosse championship live with Fubo (free trial)

What channel is Duke vs. Notre Dame on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN App, Fubo

The 2023 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse championship will air on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN App and, for cord-cutters, ESPN+. Another streaming option is Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Duke vs. Notre Dame start time

• Date: Monday, May 29
• Start time: 1 p.m. ET

First whistle for the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

MORE: Full 2023 NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament, schedule bracket

Where is the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship in 2023?

• Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Eagles, will host this year’s men’s lacrosse national championship.

MORE: Duke vs. Notre Dame championship game history

This is the eighth time the stadium has hosted the men’s lacrosse championship and the first since Virginia beat Yale in the 2019 title game. The venue was selected to host in 2020 but the tournament was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duke vs. Notre Dame odds to win national championship

This section will be updated.

Here are the latest odds for the championship game:

• Spread:
• Over/Under:
• Moneyline:

MORE: NCAA lacrosse tournament brackets for 2023 men’s, women’s Final Four

Duke NCAA lacrosse tournament record

Date	Round	Result
Sunday, May 14	First round	No.1 Duke 12, Delaware 11
Saturday, May 20	Quarterfinals	No. 1 Duke 15, Michigan 8
Saturday, May 27	Semifinals	No. 1 Duke 16, No. 5 Penn State 15 (OT)

Notre Dame NCAA lacrosse tournament record

ESPN Lacrosse Announcers And Analyst List

ESPN Lacrosse Announcers And Analyst List

Other Sports

An official cover of the 2023 NCAA Women’s lacrosse championship, covered by ESPN. ( Source :
twitter )

ESPN lacrosse announcers for the 2023 season are Anish Shroff, Chris Cotter, Jay Alter, Drew Carter, Mark Dixon, and Joe Beninati.

Known by its slogan as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,”  ESPN covers the majority of sports played at the amateur and pro levels. It hosts 100 events yearly and broadcasts them on its various platforms.

As lacrosse has become one of the fastest-growing sports in America in the past two decades, ESPN’s coverage of it has added to its fair share of popularity.

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network covered the 2023 college lacrosse games from both men’s and women’s divisions, adding to the sport and players’ fame. The media powerhouse telecasted major games and finals from all NCAA divisions; I, II, and III.

Meanwhile, an expert team of broadcasters works together to present the games at their best to the LAX fans and viewers. Meet the ESPN panel of sportscasters for the 2023 NCAA Championship.

LAX commentators are:

• Evan Washburn
• Dave Ryan
• Dave Randorf
• Carter Blackburn 

Evan Washburn

Evan (right) with Mark Dixon for coverage of the 2023 NCAA men’s LAX.( Source :
twitter )

Evan first joined CBS in 2010 and has worked in various sports over the network’s different platforms. He started as a reporter for the network’s NFL and college basketball coverage and a regular contributor to CBS Sports Network.

He shared the play-by-play duties of calling Major League Lacrosse games for CBS along with Dave Ryan during the 2012 season. He was a sideline reporter for the 2023 NCAA men’s LAX final game.

Dave Ryan

Dave also calls on college basketball and PBA Bowling for Fox Sports.( Source :
linkedin )

Ryan joined CBS Sports in September 2009 and has called college football, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, baseball, bowling, and volleyball.

He also calls on pro bowling and Muay Thai boxing as a part of his intense sports knowledge. Meanwhile, he is also the play-by-play announcer for the national sports cable channel. Dave also works as a part-time announcer for Westwood One’s college basketball and LAX coverage.

Dave Randorf

Randorf called the Tampa Bay win at the 2021 Stanley Cup.( Source :
tampabay )

Dave Randorf has famously called on the National Lacrosse League on TSN on many occasions. However, he is mainly notable for being the host of CFL on TSN for 13 years, from 1997 to 2014.

He then moved to Rogers Communications as an NHL play-by-play commentator from 2014 to 2020. Dave is now the dedicated TV announcer of the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2021.

Carter Blackburn

Carter (left) with Pete Gillen during his first tenure with CBS Sports, then known as CSTV.( Source :
flickr )

Carter Blackburn started his broadcasting career during his college days at Syracuse, from where he graduated in 2001. During his time there, he served as a play-by-play announcer for college football, basketball, and LAX on WAER-FM.

After turning pro in the industry, he joined ESPN and ESPNU in September 2009. He called on TV broadcasts of NCAA football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. 

ESPN Lacrosse Analysts

ESPN Lacrosse analysts for coverage of men’s games are:

• Quint Kessenich
• Paul Carcaterra
• Ryan Boyle
• Jules Heningburg
• Kyle Harrison
• Matt Ward

Analysts for Lacrosse Broadcast of women’s games are:

• Sheehan Stanwick Burch 
• Dana Boyle
• Rachael Becker DeCecco
• Charlotte North
• Courtney Martinez Connor

Quint Kessenich

Quint Kessenich started covering men’s lacrosse on ESPN in 1993. Coming into 2023, he currently serves as an LAX analyst and college sports reporter, working on football and wrestling.

Kessenich, 55, hails from Long Island. His LinkedIn confirms that he played college lacrosse at Johns Hopkins from 1987 to 1990. He had won two Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Awards as the nation’s best goalie.

Kessenich is an announcer at the newly founded Premier Lacrosse League.( Source :
twitter )

He continued playing the sport professionally with the Baltimore Thunder in 1999 before starting a broadcasting career. Quint regularly contributes to the magazine Inside Lacrosse.

As a veteran sportscaster, Kessenich possesses an intricate knowledge of many sports, making him a regular face on various ESPN platforms.

Paul Carcaterra

Paul Carcaterra joined hands with ESPN in 2010 to provide lacrosse reports as a game analyst and sideline reporter. After 23 years of the deal, his work terms have broadened to cover college football as well.

Carcaterra is a four-year letter winner in the Syracuse varsity men’s team as a midfielder. He led them to the 1995 national title while he was named an All-American in 1997, the year he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Paul (right) with the former NFL wide receiver, Calvin Johnson (left), in November 2018.( Source :
instagram )

The Yorktown native played professionally with New Jersey Pride in Major League Lacrosse for a brief time. He also represented Team England in the World Lacrosse Games in 1998 before choosing his broadcasting career.

He is also an author at Lacrosse All Stars, an LAX media platform founded and operated by former and current professional players.

Ryan Boyle

Ryan Boyle started his way into ESPN as a lacrosse analyst in February 2012. He is a former Princeton University LAX player from 2000-04.

He won the Ivy League championships in all four years, qualifying for the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship games. Meanwhile, the team won the title once in 2001, followed by two final game appearances in 2000 and 2002.

Ryan dressed up as Dwight Schrute from The Office for the 2019 Trilogy’s Halloween contest.( Source :
twitter )

Boyle was also a four-time All-American and Ivy League Player of the Year twice. He was also a member of Team USA for the 2002, 2006, and 2010 World Lacrosse Championships.

Team USA won silver in 2006, while they took home gold in 2002 and 2010. As of 2005, he co-founded and acts as the CEO of Trilogy Lacrosse, a company specializing in LAX training camps.

Likewise, Boyle also worked at NBC Sports as a Premier Lacrosse League Analyst from March 2019 to September 2021.

Jules Heningburg

Jules Heningburg started his side pursuit as ESPN’s college lacrosse analyst in 2022 spring. He was the team captain at Rutgers University.

Heningburg wearing PLL collection by Champion in October 2022.( Source :
instagram )

Jules was also a part of Trilogy Lacrosse in 2017 and currently plays for Redwoods Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League and Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League.

He also co-founded Black Lacrosse Alliance in 2020 and is the current president of the firm. Moreover, Heningburg is also the co-founder of Mission Primed, a digital training platform for student-athletes.

NCAA Lacrosse Championship TV Schedule

ESPN broadcasted over 265 men’s college lacrosse games and 450 NCAA women’s games from all divisions in the 2023 season.

The men’s games came from NCAA’s seven conferences, while the women’s games were broadcasted from ten conferences across the network’s regional, national, and online channels and mediums.

ESPNU, ESPN+, and ACCN were the main three broadcasting channels this season. ESPN started airing the men’s games on February 11 on ACCN, with a game between Michigan and Virginia.

Meanwhile, the popular cable network also provided complete coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

The Fighting Irish team celebrating their first-ever NCAA championship triumph in May 2023. ( Source :
twitter )

The 2023 men’s NCAA selection show started on May 7, while the final game happened on May 29. Notre Dame of the Atlantic Coast Conference won the 2023 NCAA Divison I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

It was the first-ever title for Notre Dame, while their opponent, Duke, has been champions three times in 2010, 2013, and 2014.

The 2023 champions of NCAA men’s across all divisions are:

• DI: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• DII: Lenoir-Rhyne University
• DIII: Salisbury University

Northwestern team celebrating its first NCAA women’s championship win on May 28, 2013.( Source :
dailyherald )

Regarding NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse games, ESPN aired all games on ESPNU, ACCN, ESPN3, ESPN+, and ACCNX. Meanwhile, it mainly featured over 40 games on linear TV between the ACCN and ESPNU.

The 2023 NCAA lacrosse season started on February 11 with a game of Wofford against Clemson.