Big 12 to Add Women's Lacrosse Beginning in 2024-25

Three of the newest all-sport members in the Big 12 won’t have to go anywhere to find a home for their women’s lacrosse programs. Cincinnati moved its athletic program to the Big 12 this year and Arizona State and Colorado are coming next year.

On Thursday, the Big 12 announced that it will begin sponsoring beach volleyball and women’s lacrosse in the 2024-25 academic year. The women’s lacrosse league will feature the three full-member Big 12 programs and the league will look to add affiliate members.

“Beach volleyball and women’s lacrosse are both experiencing growth and popularity on a national level,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.  “The additions will allow incoming and current members to compete for national championships under the Big 12 umbrella while expanding the league’s footprint across new sports.”

Cincinnati will play one final year in the American Athletic Conference in women’s lacrosse before making the move.

“This not only completes our entry into the Big 12 conference as a university, but it elevates our program in every way,” said Cincinnati head coach Gina Thomas. “Having one of the premier conferences adding the sport proves why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We are committed to growing the game and our team has big goals to compete on the national stage.”

This will be the final season for Pac-12 women’s lacrosse. Arizona State and Colorado are heading to the Big 12, Cal and Stanford are headed to the ACC and Oregon and USC will move to the Big Ten.

“Sun Devil Lacrosse is ecstatic to be able to represent the Big 12 with the addition of lacrosse," said Arizona State head coach Taryn Van Thof. “As one of the fastest-growing sports, the addition of Big 12 Lacrosse is an unbelievable opportunity to showcase our sport nationally. I am very excited to compete for a Big 12 Championships and NCAA bids starting in 2024-25."

"When Colorado announced its move to the Big 12, I was asked a lot about what that means for our program," Colorado coach Ann Elliot Whidden said. "Our administration has been incredibly supportive and great advocates for us.  To have another Power 5 conference add lacrosse is great for our sport and its continued growth. We are excited to be a part of it from the beginning." 

With the Big 12’s addition, the SEC is the only current Power 5 league not to offer women’s lacrosse. Florida and Vanderbilt are SEC schools that currently compete in women’s lacrosse as affiliate members of the American Athletic Conference.