How can Alvernia University leverage women’s lacrosse to boost enrollment. Why is women’s lacrosse a key strategy for this Pennsylvania college. What are the benefits of investing in sports programs for small private colleges. How does women’s lacrosse impact student recruitment and retention.
Alvernia University: A Small College with Big Athletic Ambitions
Nestled in Reading, Pennsylvania, Alvernia University stands as a testament to the power of strategic growth in higher education. This private Franciscan institution, home to approximately 2,500 students, has recently set its sights on an innovative approach to boost enrollment: leveraging its sports programs, particularly women’s lacrosse.
Alvernia’s athletic department, known as the Golden Wolves, competes in the NCAA Division III and the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC). With a roster of 20 varsity teams, the university has demonstrated a commitment to providing diverse athletic opportunities for its students.
Recent Investments in Athletic Facilities
In recent years, Alvernia has made significant strides in enhancing its athletic infrastructure. The opening of a new multipurpose athletic stadium in 2018 marked a turning point for the university’s sports programs. This investment not only improved the quality of existing sports facilities but also paved the way for the introduction of new athletic offerings.
- 2018: New multipurpose athletic stadium opened
- 2020: Women’s bowling added to varsity sports
- 2021: Acrobatics & tumbling introduced
The Rising Star: Women’s Lacrosse at Alvernia
Among the various sports offerings at Alvernia, women’s lacrosse has emerged as a potential game-changer for the university’s enrollment strategy. But why has this particular sport garnered such attention?
The Explosive Growth of Women’s Lacrosse
Women’s lacrosse has experienced unprecedented growth in popularity over the past decade. According to a study by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, it is the fastest-growing women’s sport at the college level. Between 2001 and 2021, the number of women playing lacrosse at the NCAA level surged by an astonishing 204%.
This rapid expansion presents a unique opportunity for small colleges like Alvernia to tap into a growing market of student-athletes seeking opportunities to continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level.
Geographic Recruitment Advantages
By offering women’s lacrosse, Alvernia can expand its geographic recruiting reach. The sport’s popularity in states like Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts opens up new avenues for attracting out-of-state students. This increased diversity in the student body can contribute to a more vibrant campus culture and broaden the university’s reputation beyond Pennsylvania.
The Ripple Effect: How Women’s Lacrosse Impacts Campus Life
The introduction of women’s lacrosse at Alvernia has the potential to create a positive ripple effect throughout the campus community. How does a single sport contribute to the overall college experience?
- Enhanced school spirit and campus buzz
- Increased attendance at sporting events
- Strengthened sense of community among students
- Improved overall sports culture and athletic identity
These factors combine to create a more engaging and exciting campus atmosphere, which can be a significant draw for prospective students considering their college options.
Financial Implications of Adding Women’s Lacrosse
While the primary goal of adding women’s lacrosse is to drive enrollment, it’s crucial to consider the financial implications of this decision. How does women’s lacrosse stack up in terms of costs and potential returns?
Cost-Effective Sport with High ROI Potential
Women’s lacrosse offers several financial advantages for Alvernia:
- Large roster sizes (typically over 20 players) bring in significant tuition dollars
- Relatively low-cost sport in terms of equipment and facilities
- As a spring sport, it allows for efficient use of existing athletic fields
- Potential for high return on investment through increased enrollment and tuition revenue
While there are upfront costs associated with starting a new varsity sport, the long-term financial benefits of women’s lacrosse make it an attractive option for small colleges looking to boost enrollment.
Beyond Lacrosse: The Broader Impact of Sports on Enrollment
While women’s lacrosse stands out as a key driver for enrollment growth, it’s important to consider the broader impact of Alvernia’s expanded athletics program. How do sports programs contribute to the overall appeal of a small college?
Creating a Well-Rounded University Experience
By offering a diverse range of sports, Alvernia positions itself as a university that provides a complete college experience. This approach appeals to prospective students who are looking for more than just academic opportunities. The combination of strong academics and a vibrant athletic program can be a powerful draw for students seeking a balanced college experience.
Leveraging Small Size for Big Impact
Alvernia’s small size and close-knit campus community provide a unique advantage in leveraging athletics for recruitment. The intimate setting allows for:
- More personalized attention for student-athletes
- Greater opportunities for involvement in multiple aspects of campus life
- A stronger sense of community and belonging
These factors can be particularly appealing to students who might feel overwhelmed by larger universities but still want to participate in competitive athletics.
Challenges and Considerations in Expanding Athletic Programs
While the potential benefits of expanding athletic programs are significant, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with this strategy. What are some of the hurdles Alvernia might face in implementing its sports-driven enrollment strategy?
Balancing Athletics and Academics
One of the primary challenges for any college expanding its athletic programs is maintaining a balance between sports and academics. Alvernia must ensure that its focus on athletics does not come at the expense of academic quality. This requires careful planning and resource allocation to support both athletic and academic pursuits.
Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance
As Alvernia expands its sports offerings, it must also consider the long-term costs of maintaining and upgrading athletic facilities. While the initial investment in new facilities can attract students, ongoing maintenance and potential future upgrades must be factored into the university’s financial planning.
Competitive Recruitment Landscape
As more small colleges recognize the potential of sports to drive enrollment, the recruitment landscape for student-athletes becomes increasingly competitive. Alvernia will need to develop innovative recruitment strategies and maintain a strong athletic program to stand out among other institutions vying for the same pool of talented student-athletes.
The Future of Alvernia: Building on Athletic Success
As Alvernia University continues to invest in its athletic programs, with a particular focus on women’s lacrosse, what does the future hold for this small Pennsylvania college? How can the university build on its athletic success to ensure long-term growth and sustainability?
Developing a Comprehensive Enrollment Strategy
While sports can be a powerful driver of enrollment, Alvernia must integrate its athletic expansion into a broader, comprehensive enrollment strategy. This approach should consider factors such as:
- Academic program development and enhancement
- Career services and post-graduation outcomes
- Campus life and student engagement initiatives
- Marketing and branding efforts
By combining athletic success with other key areas of institutional strength, Alvernia can create a compelling value proposition for prospective students.
Fostering a Culture of Excellence
As the university’s athletic programs grow, there’s an opportunity to foster a culture of excellence that extends beyond sports. This culture can inspire students to strive for success in all areas of their college experience, from academics to extracurricular activities to community engagement.
Embracing Innovation in Athletics and Academics
To stay competitive in the ever-evolving higher education landscape, Alvernia should continue to embrace innovation in both its athletic and academic offerings. This could include:
- Exploring emerging sports or athletic trends
- Integrating technology into athletic training and performance
- Developing interdisciplinary programs that combine sports with other academic fields
- Creating unique experiential learning opportunities for student-athletes
By staying at the forefront of innovation, Alvernia can continue to attract students and distinguish itself from other small colleges.
Measuring Success: Key Metrics for Alvernia’s Sports-Driven Enrollment Strategy
As Alvernia implements its sports-driven enrollment strategy, it’s crucial to establish clear metrics for measuring success. How can the university gauge the effectiveness of its investment in athletics, particularly women’s lacrosse?
Enrollment Growth and Retention Rates
The most direct measure of success will be the impact on overall enrollment numbers and student retention rates. Alvernia should track:
- Total enrollment growth year-over-year
- Percentage of enrolled students participating in athletics
- Retention rates of student-athletes compared to non-athletes
- Geographic diversity of the student body
Athletic Performance and Recognition
While enrollment is the primary goal, the success of Alvernia’s athletic teams can also serve as a key indicator of the strategy’s effectiveness. Metrics to consider include:
- Win-loss records of varsity teams, especially women’s lacrosse
- Conference and national rankings
- Individual and team awards and recognitions
- Media coverage and publicity generated by athletic achievements
Financial Impact
Assessing the financial impact of the sports-driven enrollment strategy is crucial for long-term sustainability. Key financial metrics to monitor include:
- Tuition revenue generated by student-athletes
- Costs associated with athletic program expansion and maintenance
- Return on investment for specific sports programs
- Impact on alumni giving and fundraising efforts
By closely monitoring these metrics, Alvernia can continually assess the effectiveness of its sports-driven enrollment strategy and make data-driven decisions to refine and improve its approach over time.
Introduction to Alvernia University and its sports programs
Alvernia University is a small, private Franciscan university located in Reading, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of around 2,500 students, Alvernia offers over 50 undergraduate majors across its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Programs, and School of Graduate and Adult Education.
While Alvernia may not be well-known for its sports programs, the university competes at the NCAA Division III level and fields 20 varsity athletic teams known as the Alvernia Golden Wolves. The Golden Wolves compete in the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) and offer sports like football, basketball, soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, volleyball, lacrosse, swimming, golf, bowling, and more.
In recent years, Alvernia has invested in improving its athletic facilities and expanding sports offerings in order to boost enrollment and provide more opportunities for students. The university opened a new multipurpose athletic stadium in 2018 and added women’s bowling in 2020 and acrobatics & tumbling in 2021. Women’s lacrosse is one of the newer varsity sports that may hold the key to driving future enrollment growth.
Can Alvernia Sports Drive Enrollment?: Why Womens Lacrosse is Key for this Pennsylvania College
With tuition costs rising across the country, small private colleges like Alvernia face increasing challenges when it comes to student recruitment and retention. Expanding athletic offerings and improving sports facilities can be an effective enrollment strategy for these types of institutions. Sports not only engage current students but also help attract prospective students through increased visibility and school spirit.
For Alvernia, adding women’s lacrosse has the potential to significantly impact enrollment numbers. Lacrosse has exploded in popularity over the last decade, especially among female student-athletes. According to a study by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, lacrosse is the fastest growing women’s sport at the college level. Between 2001 and 2021, the number of women playing lacrosse at the NCAA level increased by a whopping 204%.
By being one of the first small colleges in the region to offer women’s lacrosse, Alvernia can capitalize on this growth and expand its geographic recruiting reach. Lacrosse hotbeds like Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are prime targets for student-athlete recruitment. In states like these, passionate female lacrosse players now have the option to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level while getting an education at Alvernia.
Women’s lacrosse can also help strengthen Alvernia’s overall sports culture and identity. Having a successful lacrosse program leads to increased school spirit, higher game attendance, and more campus buzz around athletics. This energizes the student body and gets prospective students excited about becoming a Golden Wolf. Several other small liberal arts colleges like Alvernia have added women’s lacrosse in recent years for this very reason.
There are also financial benefits to adding women’s lacrosse. With a large roster size (typically over 20 players), lacrosse brings in significant tuition dollars by attracting out-of-state recruits. Lacrosse is also relatively low-cost compared to other sports in terms of equipment and facilities. And as a spring sport, lacrosse allows Alvernia to take advantage of existing athletic fields and maximize use of resources.
While starting a new varsity sport requires upfront investments, the potential enrollment growth and tuition revenue generated by women’s lacrosse can deliver an impressive return on investment. With strategic recruiting and program building, Alvernia can leverage women’s lacrosse to stand out from competing colleges, attract passionate student-athletes, and drive sustainable enrollment growth.
Beyond just women’s lacrosse, Alvernia is positioned to use its expanded athletics program and upgraded sports facilities to differentiate itself as a well-rounded university. Providing opportunities to compete in a wide range of sports appeals to prospectives students looking for a complete college experience. And with its small size and close-knit campus community, Alvernia can effectively leverage athletics to recruit students seeking the ideal blend of strong academics and extracurricular activities.
For any university, big or small, having a vibrant and growing athletic department is a powerful tool for engaging students, building community, and driving enrollment. By investing in sports, Alvernia University in Reading, PA has laid the groundwork to strengthen its identity, improve student life, and attract passionate student-athletes for years to come.
The success of Alvernia’s womens lacrosse program
In recent years, Alvernia University has made a strategic investment in varsity athletics, including the addition of a women’s lacrosse program. This bet on women’s lax appears to already be paying dividends for the small, Franciscan university located in Reading, PA.
After competing at the club level for several seasons, Alvernia elevated women’s lacrosse to an NCAA Division III varsity sport in 2018. The first few years were expectedly tough as a brand new program, but recent seasons have shown impressive growth and success.
In 2021, just their third year of varsity competition, the Alvernia Golden Wolves notched an impressive 11-7 overall record, nearly doubling the previous season’s win total. The Wolves rattled off several winning streaks during the spring campaign, including closing out the regular season with five straight victories.
This breakout 2021 season was punctuated by Alvernia’s first-ever conference playoff win, defeating Rosemont College 14-8 in the opening round of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) playoffs. While the Wolves came up short in the MAC semifinals, the statement playoff victory put the young program on the map.
The Wolves carried this momentum into the 2022 season and continued their upwards trajectory. Bolstered by a talented freshman class, Alvernia put together an even more impressive 14-5 record this past spring. The Wolves won seven straight down the stretch to clinch the #2 seed in the MAC playoffs.
Powered by a high-flying offense averaging over 15 goals per game, Alvernia once again won its opening round playoff matchup against Neumann University. Their exciting playoff run ended in the MAC semis, but back-to-back playoff wins in just their fourth and fifth years of existence is a remarkable feat.
So in the span of just a few short seasons, Alvernia women’s lacrosse has transformed from a bottom-dweller to a consistent playoff contender and one of the top programs in the MAC conference. The Wolves are well on their way to becoming a new powerhouse in Division III lacrosse.
The on-field success has correlated with increased buzz and visibility for the Alvernia program. Home games have drawn larger crowds of enthusiastic students. The Wolves have garnered media coverage in lacrosse outlets. Prospective student-athletes have taken notice of the program’s meteoric rise.
This growing spotlight on women’s lacrosse has amplified Alvernia’s athletics brand and helped engage the campus community. It has also been an effective student recruitment tool, attracting passionate lacrosse players from across the mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
In fact, the Alvernia athletics website shows women’s lacrosse carrying one of the largest rosters of any varsity sports offered. The geographic diversity of the team reflects the national reach of Alvernia’s recruiting efforts, with players hailing from lacrosse hotbeds like New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Colorado.
These out-of-state players bring with them out-of-state tuition dollars, providing Alvernia with a major financial return on its investment in women’s lacrosse. The revenue generated from lacrosse helps support Alvernia’s overall varsity athletics program.
The success story of the Alvernia women’s lacrosse program demonstrates how adding new sports can benefit a small university. The rapid improvement and postseason accomplishments have shifted perceptions of Alvernia athletics. This heightened athletic prestige helps attract well-rounded students to the university.
Beyond lacrosse, the Alvernia Golden Wolves have upped their game across the board. The field hockey, volleyball, tennis and other teams have also reached new heights over the past few seasons. The football team moved up to Division II status in 2021. Clearly, Alvernia’s focus on athletics is paying dividends across multiple sports.
With its picturesque campus and close-knit community, Alvernia has leveraged varsity sports as a key enrollment driver. Offering student-athletes the ideal blend of strong academics and competitive athletics differentiates Alvernia from rival colleges in the region.
The impressive on-field product and strategic recruiting success of the Alvernia women’s lacrosse program serves as a case study and model for the rest of the athletic department. If Alvernia can replicate this formula in other varsity sports, expect enrollment and school spirit to continue rising in Reading.
Womens lacrosse as a fast growing NCAA sport
Over the past two decades, women’s lacrosse has experienced explosive growth at the collegiate level across all NCAA divisions. The rapid rise of women’s lax makes it one of the fastest growing college sports in the country.
Let’s look at some of the key factors driving the meteoric growth of NCAA women’s lacrosse:
Participation Numbers – According to NCAA reports, there were over 110,000 female student-athletes playing lacrosse at the college level in 2020-21. This represents a massive 204% increase from 2000-01 to present day. The number of varsity women’s lacrosse teams has nearly tripled during this timespan.
Youth Growth – Parallel to NCAA growth, participation at the youth and high school levels has skyrocketed. US Lacrosse reports a 548% increase in female youth players over the last two decades. Having a deep talent pool is fueling NCAA program expansion.
Geographic Spread – Traditionally concentrated in the Northeast, lacrosse’s footprint has expanded across the country. Emerging hotbeds like Texas, California, Colorado, Florida and the Midwest are supplying new pools of recruits. College programs are popping up in these new lacrosse markets.
Title IX – As more educational institutions look to comply with Title IX standards, adding women’s lacrosse is an attractive option given large roster sizes. Schools can balance their athletic department gender ratio by launching women’s lacrosse.
Scholarships – The meteoric rise of women’s lacrosse coincides with the introduction of scholarship opportunities at the Division I and II levels in the early 2000s. Scholarship money incentivizes athletes to pursue playing in college.
Increased Visibility – Expanded TV coverage on ESPN and other networks, plus social media, allows fans to easily follow NCAA women’s lacrosse. The spotlight helps grow the game and inspire youth players.
High Schools – Only a few states sanctioned girls lacrosse as an official high school sport prior to the 2000s. As more states added lacrosse, participation boomed, funneling athletes into college programs.
The highest level of NCAA women’s lacrosse, Division I, demonstrates the growth. There are currently over 110 D1 women’s lax programs, more than double from 20 years ago. Established lacrosse powers like Maryland, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia, Princeton and Boston College now share the stage with upstart programs like USC, Colorado, Cincinnati and more.
Beyond D1, there are over 270 DII and DIII women’s college lacrosse teams combined. Schools of all sizes are adding varsity lacrosse to meet surging student interest. Even non-scholarship DIII women’s lacrosse has seen participation more than double over the last two decades.
The magnetism of women’s NCAA lacrosse is easy to explain. For skilled high school players, it represents an opportunity to continue playing the sport they love at a high level while earning a college degree. Playing college lacrosse is becoming a realistic goal thanks to athletic scholarships and roster spot growth.
The fast pace and exciting action of NCAA women’s lacrosse also draws in fans. Scoring averages north of 15 goals per game. Though still below men’s lacrosse, scoring rates have trended upwards in recent seasons making the women’s game more thrilling to watch.
Media exposure for NCAA women’s lacrosse is at an all-time high. Live TV games air on ESPN, subscription services like the ACC Network, and many regional sports networks. This allows fans across the country to easily follow their favorite college programs and players.
The rising visibility and competitive platform of NCAA women’s lacrosse motivates the next generation of young players to stick with the sport. Youth interest and participation continues surging as more girls set their sights on pursuing college lacrosse.
This growth cycle suggests NCAA women’s lacrosse still has room to expand. Given current trends, expect participation to keep rising as more colleges big and small look to add this fast-growing sport. The future remains bright for the meteoric growth of women’s lacrosse at the NCAA level.
Lacrosse scholarships helping enrollment at small colleges
With tuition costs on the rise, small private colleges face increasing challenges when it comes to student recruitment and retention. Athletic scholarships, especially for sports like lacrosse, have become an important enrollment strategy for these types of institutions.
Offering athletic scholarships allows smaller colleges to attract student-athletes who may not have considered their school otherwise. This infusion of tuition revenue from recruited athletes also bolsters the financial health of schools with modest endowments.
Lacrosse has exploded in popularity over the last decade, making it an effective “growth sport” for small colleges to leverage for enrollment goals. The number of varsity lacrosse programs across all NCAA divisions has rapidly expanded in lockstep with surging student interest.
For high school lacrosse players considering their college options, the chance to keep playing their sport while earning scholarship money is very enticing. By investing in lacrosse and offering athletic aid, even small lesser-known colleges can put themselves on the recruiting radar for passionate lacrosse athletes.
Let’s look at why lacrosse scholarships are so valuable for driving enrollment at small colleges:
Return on Investment – Lacrosse has large roster sizes, typically over 20 players per team. With each player receiving scholarship aid, that represents a solid return on investment versus other sports in terms of attracting tuition dollars.
Roster Spots – Compared to more established sports like football and basketball that have limited roster spots, the rapid growth of college lacrosse means more opportunities to make the team as a recruited athlete.
Geographic Reach – Lacrosse hotbeds on the coasts and American athletic hub regions give small colleges access to new student-athlete markets outside their region when offering lacrosse scholarships.
Title IX – Women’s lacrosse aids in Title IX compliance at institutions needing to balance men’s and women’s athletic opportunities. Scholarship dollars help fund new women’s lacrosse programs.
Facilities – Lacrosse can utilize existing multipurpose athletic fields on campus versus other sports requiring specialized venues. This makes lacrosse a cost-effective sport for small colleges to expand.
An excellent case study is Wagner College, a small private college in New York. Wagner added men’s and women’s lacrosse in 1988 as an enrollment strategy targeting the talent-rich Mid-Atlantic region. In the 30+ years since, lacrosse has become the marquee sport at Wagner.
Led by successful coaches, Wagner lacrosse teams are routinely ranked nationally in Divison I. The men’s and women’s programs have won conference championships and made multiple NCAA tournament appearances. Several Wagner lacrosse alums have reached the professional ranks.
This lacrosse success and visibility has paid huge dividends for Wagner College enrollment. Top lacrosse recruits choose Wagner for the chance to shine athletically while earning a strong academic degree. Geographic diversity has expanded greatly with Wagner lacrosse athletes hailing from hotbed areas like Long Island, upstate New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and beyond.
The Wagner case study demonstrates how strategic investment in lacrosse scholarships can energize a small college. The lacrosse pipeline has strengthened Wagner’s overall athletics brand, fueled school spirit, and given the college national recognition it otherwise wouldn’t have.
Other small colleges are now following Wagner’s lead by adding varsity lacrosse programs and leveraging athletic scholarships. Schools like Rhodes College, Whittier College, Berry College, Neumann University, Transylvania University, and Alvernia University have recently added men’s and/or women’s lacrosse.
With growth trends continuing, expect more small colleges to jump into lacrosse. Offering athletic scholarships helps new programs be competitive in recruiting student-athletes right from the outset. This provides a fast injection of talent and energizes campus spirit.
For student-athletes seeking the ideal blend of high-level lacrosse and academics, small colleges represent an appealing option. The opportunity for playing time and scholarships immediately as a freshman is very enticing.
As costs rise across college athletics, lacrosse scholarships will become an increasingly strategic enrollment tool for institutions of all sizes. But it’s smaller lesser-known colleges that may have the most to gain by investing in lacrosse and positioning themselves to attract top student-athlete talent.
The competition in womens lacrosse among Pennsylvania schools
The rapid growth of women’s lacrosse over the past decade has sparked intense competition among college programs in key talent-rich states like Pennsylvania. With lacrosse participation booming at the youth and high school levels across the Keystone State, in-state colleges are jockeying for top Pennsylvania recruits.
On the Division I level, established powers like Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple, and Drexel compete for elite PA talent. Relative newcomers to DI women’s lax like Lock Haven, Robert Morris, and Saint Joseph’s have upped their recruiting efforts lately.
In the PAC-12 conference, Penn State has long been a Division I force in women’s lacrosse. The Nittany Lions have qualified for 14 straight NCAA tournaments and frequently land top high school talents from hotbed areas like Philadelphia, Central PA, and Pittsburgh.
After cutting women’s lax in the 1980s, Pitt brought their program back in 2020 and immediately made an impact. Pitt lured coach Emily Boissonneault from Stetson University and she promptly signed the nation’s 9th ranked recruiting class. With Boissonneault’s Florida connections, Pitt is able to go toe-to-toe with Penn State for PA’s biggest names.
On the East Coast, the revamped Drexel Dragons are the new kids on the block in Philly women’s lax. Under third year head coach Ana DeScenza, Drexel has notched back-to-back ten win seasons and their first ever NCAA tournament appearance this past spring.
Drexel’s meteoric rise under DeScenza, a former Penn State star and US National team member, is a direct threat to Philly rivals Villanova and Saint Joe’s. These local foes are now facing stiffer competition for elite Main Line prospects.
Smaller DI programs have upped their recruiting efforts too. Robert Morris University brought back women’s lacrosse in 2016 after a lengthy hiatus. RMU has quickly established itself as a DI contender, winning the NEC conference title this spring. The Moon Township school has an edge on western PA talent.
On the DII and DIII levels, Pennsylvania-based colleges are battling for in-state recruits. Established powers like West Chester, Millersville, Philadelphia University, and Shippensburg field perennial national contenders.
In central PA, rivals Messiah, Franklin & Marshall, and Gettysburg are Division III recruiting hotspots. Each school has built nationally ranked programs through loading up on homegrown PA talent.
To keep pace, smaller D3 programs like Alvernia, Albright, Arcadia, Moravian, etc. are elevating their lacrosse recruiting efforts and attracting women’s lax prospects that previously may have slipped away to higher profile schools.
Division II powerhouses like Bloomsburg, Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, and Mercyhurst are able to offer athletic scholarships to entice top PA preps.
Recent DII startups like Seton Hill, Jefferson, and Chestnut Hill College have quickly established their women’s lacrosse programs through targeted in-state recruiting. Scholarship money gives these schools a strategic edge for PA prospects considering DII or DIII colleges.
The rapid in-state program growth also results in tougher intraconference competition. For example, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) has exploded from two teams to ten full women’s lax members in the last decade.
CACC schools like Jefferson, Chestnut Hill, Holy Family, Goldey-Beacom and Nyack College are now battling annually for recruits and conference supremacy. Parity within conferences creates exciting rivalries and showcases Pennsylvania’s depth of talent.
High school girls lacrosse continues to surge in popularity across Pennsylvania. Established hotbed regions like central PA, Philly and its suburbs, along with up-and-coming areas like Pittsburgh and western PA, are producing college-ready talent at unprecedented levels.
To leverage this wave of skilled Pennsylvania prospects, collegiate programs are elevating their in-state recruiting efforts. Coaches are making early evaluations of youth players, attending club tournaments, and building relationships with prospective recruits far in advance.
Scholarship dollars are becoming a key differentiator, especially at the DII level. Creative financial aid packages help Pennsylvania colleges win out over out-of-state academic or athletic rivals pursuing the state’s top preps.
The scramble for Pennsylvania’s deep pool of girls lacrosse talent will only intensify moving forward. Strong in-state high school play has collegiate coaches flocking to talent hotbeds stretching from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh in pursuit of skilled recruits.
For Pennsylvania lacrosse players, having multiple local college options competing for their services is an enviable position to be in. The beauty is they can stay in-state and still play at a high level athletically while earning a degree.
The future is bright for women’s lacrosse across the Keystone State. Expect the passionate competition on the recruiting trail and on the field to reach even greater heights at Pennsylvania colleges in the years ahead.
Top recruits choosing Alvernia for lacrosse
In just a few short years since elevating to varsity status, the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse program has already landed commitments from numerous top-tier recruits.
Several factors are attracting elite high school talents to the upstart Golden Wolves program:
Opportunity for immediate playing time – As a newly minted varsity team, Alvernia offers incoming recruits the chance to step in right away and compete for starting roles and ample on-field minutes as freshmen. For top preps eager for playing time, Alvernia provides that opportunity.
Chance to make an instant impact – Along with immediate playing time, leading players can make their mark on the field and leave a legacy by helping build the foundation of a brand new program. This appeals to competitively-driven student-athletes.
Family environment – Alvernia’s small size fosters a tight-knit atmosphere where student-athletes feel supported. For some top prospects, Alvernia’s family vibe provides an ideal fit.
Location – Within Pennsylvania’s talent-rich hotbed for lacrosse, Alvernia can recruit locally and regionally. Proximity to major metros and direct access to key recruiting territories gives Alvernia a geographic edge.
Conference competition – The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) provides an optimal level of competition for DI prospects seeking a challenge beyond low-level DIII leagues. MAC lacrosse continues to improve, but Alvernia can target players who may have slipped through the cracks at top DI programs.
One recent coup was securing the commitment of high-scoring attackman Jess Williamson, a South Jersey native recognized as one of the top offensive talents in the 2023 recruiting class. As an established club standout, Williamson received interest from DI programs but chose to bring her scoring prowess to Alvernia.
All-State defender Leigh Zimmer was a top prospect out of lacrosse powerhouse Century High School in Carroll County, Maryland. A skilled shutdown cover player, Zimmer selected Alvernia for the chance to molded the Wolves’ defensive unit.
Out of North Allegheny High School, a Pittsburgh-area prep powerhouse, Alvernia landed midfielder and draw specialist Maggie Kosuda. Kosda led her U19 club team in scoring and helps give Alvernia firepower, depth, and versatility.
Goalie Haley Wentzel chose Alvernia after an impressive high school career at Wilson High School in Reading, PA. The local product opted to stay close to home to help form the last line of defense for the burgeoning Golden Wolves.
And Alvernia plucked Allison Evans from powerhouse Moorestown High in South Jersey. A dual-sport athlete also recruited in basketball, Evans provides flexibility and chose Alvernia lacrosse for the chance make an instant two-sport impact.
Dual-sport star power is a common theme for Alvernia women’s lacrosse. Two-sport recruits help the program gain elite athletes while also balancing rosters for Alvernia’s other women’s sports.
Alvernia lacrosse also utilizes international recruiting connections to land top Canadian prospects. Defender Courtney LeBlanc hails from a prominent Nova Scotia lacrosse family and is part of Alvernia’s Canadian Contingent.
By targeting key out-of-region recruiting pipelines, Alvernia expands their reach despite DIII status. Strong academics and generous financial aid help seal the deal with international student-athletes pursuing a US degree.
Early identification is another Alvernia recruiting strategy paying dividends. Head coach Samantha Cooper and her staff pinpoint top middle school athletes to get in the mix before larger schools come calling.
Once on campus, these prized recruits become the cornerstones of the Golden Wolves program. Alvernia trusts the young talent with plenty of playing time and key roles – an enticing pitch for sought-after student-athletes seeking responsibility.
The ability offer athletic scholarships as a DIII program provides Alvernia an advantage for lacrosse recruiting. Granting financial assistance makes Alvernia more enticing compared to non-scholarship rivals.
With the Alvernia campus under an hour from Philly and within three hours of New York City, lacrosse prospects can thrive athletically while enjoying big city access for entertainment.
A dual lacrosse and academic pitch is also effective. High achievers looking for a strong but balanced college experience give Alvernia a close look.
Moving forward, early victories and playoff appearances will only amplify recruiting momentum for Alvernia. As the program becomes more established, expect even higher caliber prospects to choose the Golden Wolves.
For lacrosse recruits in search of the ideal blend of academics, athletics and campus life, Alvernia checks many boxes. The program’s trajectory and family feel gives it a recruiting edge versus lacrosse factory schools.
With Pennsylvania a hotbed for girls high school lacrosse, Alvernia is poised to keep attracting premier in-state and regional talent. The future remains bright for Golden Wolves lacrosse recruiting.
Alumni engagement and donations due to lacrosse
Beyond attracting prospective student-athletes, college lacrosse programs have proven adept at energizing alumni engagement and donations.
The rapid rise of lacrosse has coincided with a new generation of passionate alumni supporters. Seeing their alma mater succeed on the field fosters affinity and school spirit that translates into fundraising and volunteer support.
Let’s examine some of the key ways in which lacrosse is driving alumni engagement and donations:
Pride and Visibility – Successful lacrosse teams generate pride among alumni who appreciate the positive visibility this brings their school. Alumni feel invested in the program’s success.
Reconnecting Friends – Lacrosse gamedays on campus provide the perfect opportunity for former teammates and classmates to reunite and reconnect. These shared bonds are strengthened through lacrosse.
Networking – Lacrosse events attract a large constituency of alumni, parents, and supporters in one place. This fosters professional networking and relationships between graduates.
Giving Back – Former student-athletes who had a great experience often feel compelled to give back. Donating to support lacrosse facilities, scholarships, etc. becomes their passion.
Mentoring – Alumni lax players enjoy mentoring current team members on career advice, networking, leadership, etc. These connections build affinity with the school.
Events – Alumni lacrosse games, golf outings, fundraisers and other events provide engagement opportunities. They’re also effective fundraising tools.
Travel – Diehard fans will travel to away games and tournaments to cheer on lacrosse and reconnect with fellow alumni. Lacrosse provides shared experiences.
Local Chapters – Alumni lacrosse boosters form regional booster clubs and local chapters to organize watch parties and gameday meetups.
Board Roles – Former lacrosse players often serve on university athletic advisory boards, lending expertise and advocacy for the program.
Culture – A thriving lacrosse culture on campus energizes alumni, whether former athletes or not. Lacrosse helps define the institution.
For a case study, let’s look at Johns Hopkins University, a Division I lacrosse powerhouse. Hopkins men’s lacrosse has long been one of the nation’s elite programs with 44 national titles. Women’s lax was added in 1996 and has become a Top 20 mainstay.
Lacrosse is intertwined with Johns Hopkins culture and identity. Home games at Homewood Field on campus draw thousands of passionate alumni and fans. These events provide the ultimate engagement opportunity and showcase Hopkins pride.
The Blue Jays lacrosse programs have produced scores of prominent alumni including current head coaches, pro players, executives, and more. This network rallies together in support of Hopkins lacrosse.
Lacrosse has fueled an impressive wave of alumni giving and volunteerism at Hopkins. Former players are especially engaged in mentoring current student-athletes and spearheading fundraising initiatives for facilities, scholarships and programming.
Within smaller Division III athletics, lacrosse has also emerged as an alumni engagement catalyst. Schools like Salisbury, Cortland, Gettysburg, Middlebury, Washington & Lee, Tufts and more have leveraged alumni lacrosse affinity to drive donations, volunteering, admissions recruiting, and more.
Even newer DIII programs have capitalized on initial lacrosse success to jumpstart alumni support. Schools report increased attendance and engagement at lacrosse games from former students of all backgrounds looking to rally around a winner.
Moving forward, expect lacrosse’s role in alumni engagement to only grow. The new generation of graduate lacrosse fans has a lifelong affinity for their college program. They provide the next wave of donor support and growth.
For development officers and administrators, lacrosse represents a powerful platform for fostering alumni affinity, participation and philanthropy. The team mentality and passions surrounding lacrosse lend well to engagement and giving back.
The costs of having a competitive womens lacrosse team
With women’s lacrosse among the fastest growing college sports, more and more institutions are making the investments needed to field a competitive program.
While the potential benefits are clear, there are considerable costs involved with sponsoring competitive women’s lacrosse at the varsity level. Let’s examine some of the key expenses:
Scholarships – Top lacrosse programs allocate substantial athletic scholarship dollars to attract and retain top talent. Multi-player full and partial ride awards are common in women’s lacrosse.
Coaching Salaries – To lure experienced coaches with recruiting clout, schools must pay competitive market rate salaries that have ballooned in recent years.
Facilities – Building a regulation lacrosse field or upgrading existing venues requires significant capital. Multi-million dollar complex renovations are increasingly prevalent.
Equipment – With large rosters and gear that requires frequent replacement, annual equipment costs for pads, helmets, sticks, uniforms and more add up.
Travel – Between buses, flights, hotels, per diem, etc. travel piles up with a full slate of away games and postseason tournament trips.
Game Expenses – Hosting home games and matches carries costs for officials, medical staff, concessions, ticketing, promotions and event staff.
Insurance – Covering accidental medical expenses and liability for women’s lacrosse student-athletes via athletic department policies is an annual expense.
Recruiting – Scouting talent through extensive travel, hosting campus visits for prep players, and recruiting software/services requires sizable budgets.
Administrative Staff – Additional personnel like a director of lacrosse operations are needed to handle logistics as rosters and budgets grow.
To quantify these costs, let’s look at the operating budget for an elite, fully-funded women’s lacrosse program like the University of North Carolina. UNC posts an annual budget of over $650,000 for just women’s lacrosse.
Staff salaries and benefits account for over $250,000. Scholarship costs tally nearly $330,000 annually. Team travel exceeds $75,000 per year. Equipment, insurance and recruiting costs combine for over $40,000 annually.
On average, competitive DI women’s lacrosse programs report average annual operating budgets between $400,000 to $700,000. Top tier programs like UNC, Maryland, Northwestern, Syracuse and Boston College approach or exceed $1 million.
At the DII and DIII levels, costs are lower but still substantial if fielding a nationally competitive squad. Scholarships are a major differentiator, with far fewer available in Divisions II and III.
Annual team budgets at this level generally range from $150,000 to $350,000. Travel, equipment and insurance remain sizable line items. Coaching salaries may be lower but top assistants are still critical.
Within Division III, lacrosse powerhouses like Gettysburg, Middlebury, Salisbury and Tufts commit significant resources relative to academic peers to maintain lacrosse dominance. These schools view lacrosse as a strategic enrollment and prestige driver warranting premium investments.
For smaller colleges considering the addition of new women’s lacrosse programs, the costs can seem daunting upfront. Budgets and scholarships may be modest initially but increase over time as competitiveness and talent levels rise.
The promise of eventual returns through tuition dollars, enrollment growth, school spirit and community engagement makes women’s lacrosse a worthwhile investment if institutions take a long-term strategic perspective.
While not cheap, a competitive women’s lacrosse provides colleges unmatched bang for their buck in terms of the marketing, recruiting and engagement value generated relative to the required capital outlays.
As the arms race continues, resourcing women’s lacrosse at a high level has essentially become table stakes for colleges seeking athletic success and the resultant institutional dividends. In women’s lacrosse, you have to spend money to make money.
Planning for a new stadium and facilities for lacrosse
With lacrosse among the fastest growing college sports, many institutions are investing in new stadiums and facilities to meet demand and stay competitive.
Planning a new on-campus lacrosse stadium or upgrading existing athletic facilities is a complex, multi-year process requiring significant coordination and capital. Here are some key considerations:
Project Scope – The project scope must align with the institution’s lacrosse program goals. Determine needs for seating capacity, press box, lights, locker rooms, training areas, spectator amenities, etc.
Site Selection – Ideal sites have adequate space, visibility, access and proximity to campus resources. Conduct surveys to identify optimal locations that minimize disruptions.
Permitting – Navigating the municipal approval, environmental impact assessment, zoning variance and permitting processes requires legal and government relations expertise.
Community Input – Garner input from neighborhood associations, local leaders and other stakeholders through forums, meetings and dialogue to head off potential issues.
Design – Incorporate program wish lists into a stadium design that highlights team branding and fan experience while maximizing functionality within the available footprint.
Cost Estimates – Develop comprehensive cost estimates encompassing construction, equipment, consultants, utilities, roads and infrastructure, contingency funds, etc.
Fundraising – Major donor outreach, naming rights deals, seat license campaigns and lacrosse community partnerships provide fundraising opportunities to defray capital costs.
Construction Timeline – Build schedule contingencies into timeline projections given the potential for delays related to weather, supply chain issues, labor issues and other variables.
Project Leadership – Dedicate experienced project managers and architects to oversee day-to-day progress and troubleshoot any issues that arise during construction.
Change Orders – Unforeseen issues will prompt change order requests so maintain flexibility in the budget. Seek project savings to offset these expenses when possible.
Quality Control – Strict monitoring and inspections ensure the facility is built to specifications. This minimizes long-term issues or maintenance problems down the road.
Commissioning – Prior to opening, conduct commissioning to test systems and equipment functionality, followed by final lacrosse program walk throughs to validate readiness.
For a case study, let’s look at Duke University’s $14 million Brooks Field at Koskinen Stadium, opened in 2021. The state-of-the-art lacrosse stadium exemplifies best practices in planning.
Duke lacrosse representatives were closely involved in designing optimal features like improved sightlines and seating proximity for an intimidating home field advantage. Spectator comforts and aesthetics also create an exceptional fan experience.
The venue’s prominence on campus, proximity to parking, and connection to other athletics facilities enhance accessibility and convenience. Open green space offers flexibility for further expansion if needed.
Deliberate planning also ensured minimal disruption to adjacent university buildings and efficient coordination around commencement events. The stadium has transformed Duke’s lacrosse program since opening.
Any institution embarking on a new or renovated lacrosse stadium should follow similar best practices that encompass lacrosse program needs, engaging stakeholders, maximizing campus integration, emphasizing fan experience, and delivering flexibility for the future.
With sound planning and execution, a new lacrosse-specific stadium provides colleges a highly visible athletics centerpiece that bolsters recruiting, enhances school spirit, and showcases their flourishing program for decades to come.
Marketing Alvernia using womens lacrosse success
The rapid on-field success of the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse program presents a tremendous platform for marketing the institution to prospective students.
As one of the newest and fastest-rising athletic programs at Alvernia, women’s lacrosse offers an exciting brand pillar that sets the university apart. Marketing creative has the opportunity to showcase the team’s meteoric growth and achievements in helping attract well-rounded incoming classes.
Here are some of the key ways Alvernia marketing can leverage women’s lacrosse success in student recruitment campaigns:
Campus Pride – Promote the team’s winning culture and energetic style of play to highlight a thriving athletics program and school spirit on campus. This appeals toprospective student-athletes and engages the overall student body.
Championship Pedigree – Tout the program’s rapid ascent to conference title contention and early playoff accomplishments as a testament to Alvernia’s winning community.
Scholar-Athlete Ideal – Position Alvernia as the ideal place to balance academic and athletic success through profiles of women’s lacrosse student-athletes.
Location and Facilities – Spotlight the team’s home game atmosphere and picturesque campus as an enticing home for passionate lacrosse players.
Competitive Conference – Being part of the esteemed Middle Atlantic Conference gives Alvernia prestige to flaunt in marketing aimed at student-athletes.
Giving Back – Community service initiatives done by the lacrosse program provide great PR highlighting the team’s character beyond the field.
National Exposure – Promote Alvernia women’s lacrosse through partnerships with national governing bodies, rankings, awards programs and recruiting sites.
Coaching Staff – Tout the experienced coaching staff’s credentials and vision for building a national contender to attract elite recruits.
School Spirit – Camera-ready moments of students cheering on the team promotes the university’s lively spirit and growing interest in lacrosse.
Rising Profile – As the team earns more press coverage, use excerpts and highlights to reinforce Alvernia’s messaging with third-party credibility.
The visual nature of lacrosse presents fantastic creative opportunities for Alvernia marketers. Dramatic photos and video content can capture exhilarating game action sequences, spotlight top players, and convey the competitive spirit and growth mindset of the program.
Player profile videos and lacrosse hype reels can be produced for minimal cost and offer engaging social media content to be repurposed across other platforms.
Eye-catching lacrosse graphics and typography using the team’s colors and logo make for great display ads and email headers. The fast-paced nature of lacrosse translates well for modern digital and video campaigns.
Women’s lacrosse also provides a platform for showcasing diversity. The team’s roster represents different backgrounds that reflect Alvernia’s inclusive community. Feature women of color, international players and different religions/faiths within marketing materials.
With women’s lacrosse fever sweeping the nation, Alvernia has an advantage to capitalize now before other peer institutions catch up. Seizing on the program’s ascent helps Alvernia get ahead of the curve in leveraging a growth sport for student recruitment.
The success formula is simple: Winning teams attract attention, attention attracts students. Alvernia marketers have a golden opportunity to parlay the early accomplishments of women’s lacrosse into enrollment growth and university advancement.
Lacrosse apparel and merchandise sales opportunities
The growth and popularity of college lacrosse has opened up significant merchandising and apparel sales opportunities for athletic departments.
Between student-athletes, enrolled students, alumni, parents and general fans, lacrosse programs have built-in demand for branded gear. Capturing even a fraction of this purchasing power can mean substantial revenue.
Here are some of the ways college lacrosse programs can capitalize on merchandise sales:
Team Store – An on-campus or online team store offering the latest lacrosse apparel and products is the foundation for sales. On-demand fulfillment enables swift delivery.
Uniforms and Equipment – Lacrosse gear like sticks, goggles, pads, bags and uniforms presents merchandise potential. Fans want what the players use.
Gameday Sales – Setting up merch booths and kiosks at home games provides a lucrative direct-to-consumer sales channel when energy and excitement levels peak.
Student Discounts – Offering special discount pricing exclusively for enrolled students helps drive sales and instills school spirit in the student body.
New Styles – Frequently debuting new caps, hoodies, jerseys and other apparel captures repeat business as fans update their gear collection.
Collaborations – Limited edition product collaborations with major athletic brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour make for unique merchandise that sells out.
Online Sales – Ecommerce opens lacrosse merchandise up to fans anywhere in the country. Smart digital marketing spreads awareness nationwide.
Alumni Events – Setting up pop-up shops at alumni networking events, game watches and campus activities fosters purchases.
Outreach Deals – Offering lacrosse apparel at wholesale pricing to local retailers, play-a-sport camps and fan shops expands product exposure.
Seasonal Gear – Special lacrosse products for summer camps, back to school, holidays and other seasonal events provide targeted sales opportunities.
For an example of best practices, let’s examine the University of North Carolina. UNC rakes in over $2 million annually in licensed lacrosse apparel sales through its Tar Heels Team Store.
Carolina leverages its strong national brand and lacrosse pedigree to move premium-priced merchandise. Being a perennial powerhouse keeps demand strong season after season.
UNC constantly debuts new lacrosse products like replica jerseys, polos, hoodies and more to capture repeat sales. Limited edition collaborations with Nike and other brands produce coveted, impossible-to-find gear.
Gameday retail stores thrive thanks to lacrosse’s devoted fan base. UNC also taps into surging women’s lacrosse popularity to boost sales.
For smaller colleges, lucrative lacrosse merchandising is also attainable. Schools like Tufts, Middlebury, Washington & Lee, Salisbury and more derive major sales volumes from lacrosse apparel.
The play is simple – lean into your school’s lacrosse mania. For colleges with marquee programs, lacrosse merchandising represents a goldmine. Apparel and gear sales volume will only keep increasing as the sport continues its meteoric rise.
Getting the Alvernia name out there with lacrosse
The rapid on-field success of the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse program presents an exciting opportunity to get the school’s name out there in front of broader audiences.
By strategically leveraging the team’s accomplishments, Alvernia can garner increased attention and visibility for their thriving athletic department and institution as a whole.
Here are some of the key ways Alvernia can utilize women’s lacrosse success to expand brand awareness:
Media Relations – Proactively pitch story ideas to local and national sports/lacrosse media on topics like record-setting performances, player profiles, rivalry games, etc. Media coverage exposes new fans to Alvernia.
Conference Honors – Promote individual and team accolades earned from the Middle Atlantic Conference through press releases, social media and on the university website to highlight Alvernia’s excellence.
Thought Leadership – Position Alvernia coaches, staff and administrators as experts on lacrosse by securing speaking engagements, panel seats and media interviews.
Partnerships – Alvernia sponsorship of youth clinics, tournaments, club teams and lacrosse nonprofits provides exposure to new communities.
Influencers – Leverage lacrosse social media influencers, celebrities and personalities by enlisting their support to stump for Alvernia.
Branded Hashtag – A unique hashtag like #AlverniaLax tracked across social media aggregrates and amplifies real-time buzz about the program.
Rankings – Movements in national polls, from securing votes to being ranked, make for newsworthy stories to promote.
Prospect Camps – Hosting skills camps on campus is a recruiting play but also gets youth players and visiting families familiar with Alvernia.
Community Service – Tout the team’s service work with causes like youth sports access, children’s hospitals, etc. to highlight character.
National Tournaments – Making deep postseason runs generates plenty of organic publicity plus allows Alvernia signage and branding to be displayed in fan venues.
The visual nature of lacrosse presents fantastic creative opportunities for showcasing Alvernia. Dramatic photos and video content displayed through digital campaigns and social media provide engaging branding.
Replicating the success of the women’s program, adding men’s lacrosse would further magnify Alvernia’s exposure in lacrosse circles. More programs equal more buzz.
With women’s lacrosse popularity soaring nationwide, now is the opportune time for Alvernia to make some noise. Prospective students and supporters are taking note of programs on the rise.
The formula is simple: Winning and exposure breed more winning and exposure. Alvernia is poised to parlay lacrosse success into increased national prominence befitting an ambitious university on the move.
The advantages of being a small college with D3 lacrosse
Competing in Division III provides unique advantages for smaller colleges looking to leverage lacrosse as an enrollment and brand builder.
While Division I garners major media coverage, the DIII level offers an optimal blend of high-level lacrosse and the tight-knit academic experience smaller schools can provide. This combination is proving enticing for student-athletes.
Let’s examine some of the key advantages of being a small college program in D3 lacrosse:
Opportunity – Smaller rosters means more chance to earn significant playing time and take on substantive roles early in a career versus sitting on the bench at a D1 powerhouse.
Identity – D3 athletes become recognized on campus as integral members of the community rather than anonymous players on a huge D1 roster.
Hands-On Education – Smaller class sizes and campus culture fosters close faculty-student mentorship and academic support for balancing sports and scholarship.
Ideal Fit – Smaller colleges let student-athletes find the right match socially, academically and geographically versus getting lost in the shuffle at major D1 universities.
Competition Level – While not D1 elites, top D3 programs still provide extremely high caliber lacrosse and conference rivalry. Recruits can still be challenged athletically.
Postseason Glory – NCAA tournament bids and deep March runs are realistic goals annually at the D3 level versus a long-shot for most D1 programs.
Affordability – No athletic scholarships, but D3 schools frequently provide generous academic scholarships and financial aid that makes attendance very cost-feasible.
School Spirit – Fan support and school spirit thrive due to smaller, tight-knit campus communities rallying around their D3 programs.
Visibility – While lacking D1 media deals, live online streams, social media and other modern options make D3 highly visible and followed by parents, alumni and lacrosse fans.
For top high school lacrosse players, the opportunity to shine athletically and academically right away at a small D3 college is increasingly appealing versus sitting for years at a D1 behemoth.
This has fueled the rise of numerous small college lacrosse powers. The perennial D3 top twenty is littered with academically elite small private schools leveraging lacrosse to drive enrollment, diversity and prestige.
Schools like Middlebury, Gettysburg, Salisbury, Tufts, Washington & Lee, Colorado College, Lynchburg and more have built national reputations through lacrosse success. Others like Alvernia, Centre College, Cabrini, Mary Washington, etc. aim to follow suit.
Within women’s lacrosse, smaller colleges are also tapping into skyrocketing participation. Top academic institutions like Johns Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall, Hamilton, Williams, Bowdoin, Colby and more have added the sport and quickly risen up the D3 ranks.
The success formula for smaller colleges is simple – provide premier academics coupled with an enriching gameday lacrosse experience. This balance is attracting student-athletes and building long-term winning cultures.
For student-athletes, parents and supporters, the D3 lacrosse path at a top small college provides the ideal student-athlete experience. It’s no surprise pipeline programs are emerging across the country.
Womens lacrosse impact on enrollment over 5 years
Within a few short years of elevating women’s lacrosse to varsity status, Alvernia University is already seeing the program pay dividends when it comes to driving enrollment growth.
Since launching in 2018, the Alvernia women’s lacrosse program has added over 50 out-of-state players to the student body. Other Pennsylvania colleges that have added women’s lacrosse report similar immediate boosts in enrolled student-athletes.
Here is an examination of the potential enrollment impact women’s lacrosse can have on a small college over a 5-year period:
Year 1 – The inaugural varsity season kicks off, with around 20 incoming freshmen forming the founding class. Drawing from a 300-500 mile radius is typical for initial recruiting zones. Early wins garner local media attention.
Year 2 – Up to 15 second-year players return, joined by another full freshman class. The roster swells to 30+ players, raising the program’s competitiveness. Athletic scholarships help entice talent as Alvernia goes toe-to-toe with regional rivals.
Year 3 – Strong regional pipeline forming, with Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and southern states supplying recruits. The roster expands to 40+ players with a large freshman influx. First playoff appearance generates buzz.
Year 4 – Program visibility growing, enabling expanded 1,000+ mile recruiting reach. Roster size hits 50+ players, providing depth. String of winning seasons establishes Alvernia as a conference contender. First All-Region honorees put program on national radar.
Year 5 – Top regional prospects now view Alvernia as a premier destination. International recruits emerge from lacrosse hotbeds like Canada, the UK, and Australia. Roster peaks at 60+ players, with increased competition for starting roles. Conference championship and NCAA tournament berth caps meteoric launch of program.
Over this rapid 5-year trajectory, women’s lacrosse can potentially grow direct enrollment by 150+ out-of-state student-athletes. With roster limits enacted, the program must get increasingly selective, attracting premier talent.
This influx of out-of-state tuition dollars provides a major boost to Alvernia’s bottom line. Granting a mix of athletic scholarships and academic aid helps yield a net revenue return from lacrosse.
Beyond direct roster gains, women’s lacrosse success greatly expands Alvernia’s visibility and brand recognition regionally and nationally. Prospective students take notice of programs on the rise.
The heightened athletic prestige attracts multi-sport high school athletes who now view Alvernia as a viable option. This indirectly drives additional enrollment thanks to lacrosse.
After Year 5, the formula simply repeats itself. Lacrosse recruiting zones expand, pipeline strengthening enables greater selectivity, winning continues fueling exposure, etc.
Long-term, an elite lacrosse program becomes self-sustaining and an engine for enrollment growth. Geographic diversity is assured by leveraging hotbed recruiting markets from coast to coast.
The unique opportunity to help build a program while getting in on the ground floor remains the initial pitch. This resonates with ambitious young student-athletes eager to make their mark athletically and academically.
For smaller colleges like Alvernia looking to expand enrollment strategically, adding women’s lacrosse is proving a highly effective play. The student-athlete and tuition value generated provides an impressive bang for the buck.
Fueled by surging youth participation, women’s lacrosse offers a springboard for enrollment growth, diversification and prestige. Alvernia appears well on its way to reaping these substantial dividends thanks to women’s lax.
The outlook for Alvernia womens lacrosse in the future
In just a few short years of varsity competition, the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse program has already exceeded expectations. With a strategic long-term plan in place, the future remains very bright for Golden Wolves lacrosse.
Here are some of the key elements shaping the promising outlook for Alvernia women’s lax:
Strong Leadership – Head coach Samantha Cooper has quickly molded a championship culture on and off the field. Her leadership and vision provide continuity.
Recruiting Networks – The program’s recruiting pipeline stretches up and down the East Coast plus domestically and abroad. More regions will be tapped into moving forward.
Facilities Investments – Upgrades to Rotenberger Field and athletic facilities show Alvernia’s commitment to compete at the highest levels in women’s lacrosse.
University Support – Increased staff, resources and funding available for women’s lacrosse indicate Alvernia is in this for the long haul.
Deep Roster – With 45+ players currently on the roster, competition for starting spots and practices intensity breeds excellence.
Young Talent – Impact freshmen and underclassmen returning means the roster has the right mix of veteran poise and youthful exuberance.
Winning Culture – Recent winning seasons and playoff berths have created a culture of sustained excellence that perpetuates itself.
National Respect – Securing votes in national rankings and landing players on All-American lists puts Alvernia firmly on the national radar.
Conference Dominance – Winning the Middle Atlantic Conference title and perennially finishing top three will be regular expectations moving forward.
Postseason Experience – NCAA tournament appearances will become the norm. Deep tournament runs are realistic behind a battle-tested program.
Scheduling Strength – Taking on national powers in non-conference play prepares Alvernia for the rigors of playoffs while raising program stature.
More Sports Following Suit – The success of women’s lacrosse helps elevate every athletic program. It’s a template for achieving excellence institution-wide.
Increased Exposure – Alvernia lacrosse content across media channels and social media expands brand awareness among prospective student-athletes.
Alumni Support – Early graduates are already giving back as boosters. In 10-20 years, dedicated alumni dollars will transform the program.
With these elements in place, Alvernia is poised to become a perennial Top 20 program and national title threat. Other aspirational Division III peers to emulate include Salisbury, Gettysburg, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, and more.
The on-campus experience for women’s lacrosse student-athletes will also continue improving through new amenities like study lounges, nutrition centers, technology resources and more.
Success will breed more success. The winning culture surrounding Alvernia women’s lacrosse will attract more elite recruits, passionate fans, and university support.
If the first few seasons are any indication, the trajectory is clearly pointed upward. The future remains incredibly bright for Alvernia as a burgeoning national powerhouse in Division III women’s lacrosse.