NJCAA Discontinues Women's Lacrosse: FLCC's Legacy and Contributions

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced the discontinuation of Women's Lacrosse as an NJCAA-sponsored sport, effective from the 2024-25 academic year. This decision results from the decreasing number of participating teams, with Finger Lakes included in the 2-3 remaining programs in the country.  

"In light of recent cancellations and the lack of involvement in women's lacrosse at the two-year level, this decision had to be made," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "It's never easy to discontinue a sport, especially when as an association we strive to provide opportunities at the two-year level across the board. However, we haven't seen a great deal of participation in this particular sport and as a result, did what we think is best. Women's Lacrosse will continue to grow at the collegiate level and one day we hope to be able to add it back as we've done with other sports in the past." 

Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) has a rich history with Women's Lacrosse, having offered the sport for many years and significantly contributing to its development within the NJCAA. Former FLCC Athletic Director Dennis "Putt" Moore played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of Women's Lacrosse at the NJCAA level. Moore's efforts were instrumental in the NJCAA's approval of Women's Lacrosse as a certified sport. 

Moore's contributions were recognized in 2011 when he was honored as the first inductee into the NJCAA Women's Lacrosse Hall of Fame at Anne Arundel Community College. His legacy continues to be a source of pride for Finger Lakes and the wider women's lacrosse community. 

Women's Lacrosse has been an NJCAA-sponsored sport since 2004, with the championship recently being changed to an invitational in the 2022-23 academic year. This past year's Women's Lacrosse Invitational saw four teams compete for a chance at a national title. 

For more information about this announcement, please visit the NJCAA's official press release on their decision: NJCAA Official Press Release.