Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association
The Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association is a national organization of non-NCAA men's college lacrosse programs. The MCLA oversees game play and conducts national championships for over 200 teams in ten conferences throughout the United States and Canada. The MCLA provides a governing structure much like the NCAA, with eligibility rules, All-Americans and a national tournament to decide national champions in both Divisions I and II.
The MCLA exists to provide a quality college lacrosse experience where varsity NCAA lacrosse does not exist. On an individual scale, the MCLA provides rules and a structure that promotes "virtual varsity" lacrosse, or an experience paralleling that of NCAA programs. While the MCLA provides a high level of athletic competition, it is one of the few governing bodies that does not have a national GPA requirement for its athletes. On a national scale, the MCLA provides the infrastructure to support a level playing field through eligibility rules and enforcement and the use of NCAA rules of play. The MCLA, an organization governing a mere 70 teams in 1997, has seen a rapid growth in affiliation as national interest in the sport of lacrosse continues to increase. As of the 2014 season, participation has increased to 210 teams.
History
The MCLA was formerly known as the US Lacrosse Men’s Division of Intercollegiate Associates. The MCLA was created by the MDIA Board of Directors and its creation was announced by US Lacrosse on August 24, 2006.MCLA President John Paul was interviewed in a podcast on August 31, 2006. Information obtained from this interview includes:
- MDIA council will cease to exist
- MCLA will run its own national tournament and control its own budget
- MCLA membership will still sit on US Lacrosse boards and committees
- Team dues will be doubled from $500 to $1,000, the only significant impact to teams
- By-Laws are being rewritten to be ratified in January 2007
- Two new Vice President positions have been formed in the MCLA Executive Board and some paid positions will be created
- Long-term goals include a full-time paid League Executive Director who will answer to the Executive Board
- Executive Boards of MCLA and conferences will be insured, as will the national tournament, however, players and teams are responsible for their own individual insurance
Media coverage
Milestones
Colorado State University holds the record for most MCLA championships won with six. The Rams also hold the distinction of sending the first MCLA player into Major League Lacrosse when goaltender Alex Smith made the roster of Denver Outlaws from 2006-2010. Brigham Young is second in MCLA history with four national titles.The University of Michigan Varsity Club Lacrosse Team became the first team in MCLA history to complete a perfect season by defeating Chapman University in the national championship game on May 17, 2008. The Wolverines were able to repeat their success the following season by once again going undefeated and beating Chapman University in the national championship game on May 16, 2009.
In 2008, Brekan Kohlitz of the University of Michigan became the first MCLA player drafted to the MLL by the Washington Bayhawks.
In 2010, Connor Martin of Chapman University, a two-time All American and Offensive Player of the Year, was drafted by the Denver Outlaws. In his debut for the Outlaws, he scored a hat-trick and recorded an assist, earning him MLL Rookie of the Week. In 2014 Cam Holding became the second player ever to play in the MCLA to get drafted into the MLL by the Chesapeake Bayhawks. He currently plays for the Denver Outlaws and recently won a Gold medal in the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championship with team Canada.
The 2009-2011 MCLA Championships were held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
In 2011, with the conclusion of the agreement between the MCLA and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the MCLA selected a new home for the National Championships. The 2012, 2013 MCLA Championships were relocated to a new venue; Sirrine Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina.
The 2014, MCLA National Championships were held in Southern California. The opening two rounds were played at UC Irvine in Orange County and the semifinals and finals at Chapman University in Orange, CA. Two first-time champions were crowned, Colorado and Grand Valley State.
MCLA Conferences
The MCLA separates teams into divisions based upon performance history, and regional conferences.- Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association
- Continental Lacrosse Conference
- Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference
- Lone Star Alliance
- Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League
- Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League
- Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference
- SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference
- Southwestern Lacrosse Conference
- Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference
- Western Collegiate Lacrosse League
National Championship
MCLA Division I Championship history
| Year | Champion | Score | Defeated | Location |
| 1997 | BYU | 15-13 | UCSB | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1998 | Cal | 16-15 OT | BYU | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1999 | Colorado St. | 15-11 | Simon Fraser | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2000 | BYU | 17-13 | Colorado St. | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2001 | Colorado St. | 16-7 | Stanford | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2002 | Sonoma State | 13-10 | Colorado St. | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2003 | Colorado St. | 6-4 | UCSB | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2004 | UCSB | 8-7 | Colorado St. | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 2005 | UCSB | 8-7 | Sonoma State | Blaine, Minnesota |
| 2006 | Colorado St. | 8-7 | Colorado | Plano, Texas |
| 2007 | BYU | 16-9 | Oregon | Frisco, Texas |
| 2008 | Michigan | 14-11 | Chapman | Irving, Texas |
| 2009 | Michigan | 12-11 | Chapman | Denver, Colorado |
| 2010 | Michigan | 12-11 | Arizona State | Denver, Colorado |
| 2011 | BYU | 10-8 | Arizona State | Denver, Colorado |
| 2012 | Colorado St. | 7-5 | Cal Poly | Greenville, South Carolina |
| 2013 | Colorado St. | 7-2 | Colorado | Greenville, South Carolina |
| 2014 | Colorado | 13-12 | Arizona State | Irvine & Orange, California |
| 2015 | Grand Canyon | 9-8 | Colorado | Irvine & Orange, California |
| 2016 | Chapman | 9-5 | Cal Poly | Irvine & Orange, California |
| 2017 | Grand Canyon | 12-8 | Chapman | Irvine & Orange, California |
| 2018 | Michigan State | 10-8 | Chapman | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 2019 | South Carolina | 13-8 | Cal | Salt Lake City, Utah |
MCLA Division II Championship history
| Year | Champion | Score | Defeated | Location |
| 2005 | San Diego | 9-6 | UVSC | Blaine, Minnesota |
| 2006 | San Diego | 10-3 | St. John's | Plano, Texas |
| 2007 | Montana | 15-5 | St. John's | Frisco, Texas |
| 2008 | Westminster College | 17-10 | Grand Valley State | Irving, Texas |
| 2009 | St. Thomas | 16-11 | Dayton | Denver, Colorado |
| 2010 | St. Thomas | 12-9 | Utah Valley | Denver, Colorado |
| 2011 | Davenport University | 14-9 | St. Thomas | Denver, Colorado |
| 2012 | St. Thomas | 9-8 | Grand Valley State | Greenville, South Carolina |
| 2013 | St. Thomas | 9-7 | Westminster College | Greenville, South Carolina |
| 2014 | Grand Valley State | 12-11 | St. John's | Irvine, California |
| 2015 | Dayton | 12-11 | Concordia | Irvine, California |
| 2016 | St. Thomas | 10-7 | Grand Valley State | Irvine, California |
| 2017 | Concordia | 13-10 | St. Thomas | Irvine, California |
| 2018 | North Dakota State University | 8-7 | St. Thomas | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 2019 | St. Thomas | 9-7 | Dayton | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Team | Championships | Winning years |
| St. Thomas | 6 | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 |
| San Diego | 2 | 2005, 2006 |
| North Dakota State University | 1 | 2018 |
| Concordia | 1 | 2017 |
| Dayton | 1 | 2015 |
| Grand Valley State | 1 | 2014 |
| Davenport University | 1 | 2011 |
| Westminster College | 1 | 2008 |
| Montana | 1 | 2007 |
Executive Committee
- Ken Lovic
- Chris Malone
- Gary Podesta
- Pete Moosbrugger
- Jason Stockton
- Mike Annala