IWLCA Releases Comprehensive White Paper on the Future of Women's Lacrosse:
Strategic Framework Addresses Sport's Growth and Emerging Challenges in Transformative Era for Intercollegiate Athletics
The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) today released a comprehensive White Paper that provides a strategic framework for elevating women's collegiate lacrosse during an unprecedented period of growth and transformation in intercollegiate athletics.
Developed in partnership with CarrSports Consulting, LLC, the White Paper identifies five strategic priorities to advance the sport as it navigates the evolving collegiate athletics landscape, including the NCAA House Settlement and Title IX implications.
"Women's lacrosse is at a pivotal moment," said Elizabeth Robertshaw, Executive Director of the IWLCA. "Our sport has experienced remarkable growth – 262 new NCAA teams over the last 20 years, record championship attendance, and inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. But we can’t sit idlily by and hope that’s enough, we must continue to put in the work and act strategically to ensure this momentum translates into long-term prominence and sustainability."
Developed at the encouragement of the IWLCA membership and endorsed by the Board of Directors, this White Paper represents the most significant examination of collegiate women's sports since Val Ackerman's landmark 2013 women's basketball paper commissioned by the NCAA. The research was conducted over 12 months and draws on extensive stakeholder engagement, including 57 in-depth interviews and a comprehensive survey with over 1,000 responses - coaches, administrators, former lacrosse student-athletes, officials, and industry leaders. The findings identify both significant achievements and critical challenges facing intercollegiate women’s lacrosse today.
Head Coach of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Champions, the University of North Carolina, Jenny Levy said, "This White Paper arrives at exactly the right moment for women's lacrosse. As someone who has devoted my career to this sport, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges outlined in this document. The White Paper’s focus on simplifying our rules, attracting more officials, and maximizing media exposure will be essential to growing our fan base and securing our position among premier women's sports. With the Olympics on the horizon, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to elevate women's lacrosse. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the Strategic Priorities laid out in the White Paper provide the comprehensive roadmap we need to capitalize on unprecedented momentum and ensure every coach and every student-athlete in every division reach their full potential.”
Findings and Priorities
Growth Indicators:
- 556 total NCAA and NAIA programs (262 new NCAA programs over last 20 years)
- 135% increase in public high school girls' participation – over last two decades
- Record 14,423 attendance at 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship
- 269% increase in championship viewership since moving to ESPN
Critical Challenges:
- Financial pressures from the House Settlement’s implementation, NIL, and impact on Title IX
- Significant decline in available game officials
- Lack of unified vision and organizational structure to advance the sport
Call to Action: Five Strategic Priorities
The White Paper outlines five interconnected strategic priorities anchored by three guiding tenets: Grow the Game, Promote the Sport, and Prioritize Safe Play.
- Establish a Unified Vision and Brand – Develop a comprehensive strategic plan with compelling vision, mission, and values that align diverse stakeholders.
- Simplify Rules and Game Administration – Revamp NCAA rules to prioritize safe play, increase pace, improve clarity, decrease game duration, and simplify administration.
- Attract and Retain Exemplary Game Officials – Develop a formal pipeline for attracting and preparing collegiate officials to support the monumental growth in participation and popularity of girls’ and women’s lacrosse, while addressing the net loss of officials from 2021-2025.
- Enhance the Championship Experience – Implement NCAA External Gender Equity Review Phase II (“Kaplan” report) recommendations, including prominent venues and professional facilities for all divisions.
- Expand and Maximize Media Exposure – Adapt to evolving media and viewer preferences for shorter game durations, faster pace of play, simplified gameplay regulations, production and multiplatform technologies.
The CarrSports Consulting Team stressed in the White Paper "that women's lacrosse cannot achieve its potential organically. The sport requires intentional, sustained effort from all stakeholders, with the IWLCA positioned to provide unified leadership during this critical period."
"This is our moment," said Kelly Gallagher, President of IWLCA and University of Tampa Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach, "Women's sports are experiencing unprecedented interest and investment. With the right strategic framework and collective action, women's lacrosse can secure its position as a premier intercollegiate sport for generations to come."
To view the full white paper, click HERE.
About the IWLCA: The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) is the professional organization for women's lacrosse coaches and represents nearly 1,500 collegiate coaches across all divisions. The IWLCA is dedicated to promoting the sport of women's lacrosse, fostering the development of the game at all levels, and serving as the primary advocate for women's lacrosse coaches. For more information, visit www.iwlca.org.