Men’s Lacrosse to Join NEC in 2025 Season

It was announced Tuesday afternoon that Robert Morris men’s lacrosse will join the Northeast Conference, along with Cleveland State.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
RMU Men’s Lacrosse to Re-Join @NECsports for 2025 Season

https://t.co/32XC1D7hXr pic.twitter.com/A7PxNJJUX4

— RMU Men’s Lacrosse (@RMUMLacrosse) November 7, 2023

The conference briefly discontinued sponsoring the sport in 2022 and announced its return this past month.

The conference will consist of seven full-time members: Le Moyne, LIU, and Wagner, and will be joined by associate teams Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy, and VMI.

“I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome to Cleveland State and reintroduce Robert Morris into our men’s lacrosse community,” NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris said. “Their commitment, combined with the recent additions of Detroit Mercy and VMI, represents a significant step forward in our goal to elevate the stature of NEC men’s lacrosse. We eagerly await the start of play next year, where we will see the fruits of this collective effort take shape.”

Robert Morris was a member of the NEC from 2011-20, winning the regular season title in 2012, and was crowned back-to-back conference tournament champions in 2018 and 2019, which included an Opening Round victory over Canisius in 2018.

After leaving the NEC as a full-time member in 2020, RMU joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in men’s lacrosse only and found immediate success. The Colonials won the ASUN title in their first season and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 2022.

“We want to thank ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon and former Commissioner Ted Gumbart for providing RMU Men’s Lacrosse an opportunity for membership and their support over the previous three years,” said RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King. “We are looking forward to competing for championships in the NEC and earning NCAA postseason opportunities. We are excited to renew old rivalries as well as build new ones.”

“Joining the NEC gives us many opportunities to benefit our program,” head coach Craig McDonald said. “We look forward to competing not only for a NEC title but a chance to represent the NEC in the NCAA Tournament.”

The Colonials will join the conference in 2025.