Arizona Christian University (ACU) is proud to announce the addition of a new women's lacrosse program. The addition of women's lacrosse marks another exciting step in the University's continued investment in vibrant student life and competitive intercollegiate opportunities. The new program builds on the success of ACU's men's lacrosse team, which has thrived on campus since its launch in 2022, and reflects the University's commitment to expanding opportunities for students to compete and connect through sport.
"Adding women's lacrosse at ACU is a natural next step," said Brent Smith, Director of Campus Recreation. "The sport has been growing rapidly across the Southwest, and we've seen strong interest right here on campus with the women's lacrosse club forming over the past couple of years. With our new soccer and lacrosse field featuring seating, a press box, and a new scoreboard, we're ready to provide an outstanding experience for players and fans alike."
The University's recently expanded facilities - including new turf fields, spectator amenities, and upgraded recreation spaces - have created the infrastructure to support new athletic opportunities like women's lacrosse.
"I'm excited to see lacrosse continue to grow at ACU and to partner with the women's program as it launches," said Jake Landon, Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse. "We believe lacrosse thrives when both the men's and women's programs are established on campus. Adding more lacrosse student-athletes to our community is encouraging, and we're eager to support them as they build their foundation. The resources and environment at ACU make this an incredible opportunity for female athletes passionate about the sport and growing in their faith in Jesus."
Competing in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) and the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC), the Firestorm men's team has quickly become a respected program - earning six scholar-athlete awards, five all-conference recognitions, and Coach Landon being named 2025 Coach of the Year. Their success and culture of excellence have paved the way for the addition of women's lacrosse at ACU.
The new women's team will compete in the Western Women's Lacrosse League (WWLL), a premier conference within the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA), a national association of teams. The WCLA governs collegiate club lacrosse for more than 200 women's teams nationwide, and the WWLL competes in Arizona, California and Nevada. The WCLA and WWLL emphasize competitiveness, leadership development, and growing the women's lacrosse community - all areas that align perfectly with the direction of ACU's new program.
ACU has begun the search for a head coach to build the roster, organize recruiting efforts, and lead a high-quality experience for all participants.
"Our goal is to find a coach who will establish a positive team culture and ensure this becomes a meaningful experience for every student-athlete involved," added Smith.
The women's lacrosse program is expected to begin competitive play in the 2026-27 academic year, with further details on leadership and recruitment to be announced in the coming weeks.
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About Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University is an accredited, private, non-profit, Christian university in sunny Glendale, Arizona offering a wide variety of degrees preparing students for successful careers, while remaining committed to its vision of transforming culture with biblical truth. Students actively engage in biblically integrated academics and gain a liberal arts foundation with critical thinking skills that last a lifetime. ACU draws students from more than 40 states and 30 countries, and the Firestorm compete athletically in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). For more information about ACU and how to apply for admission, visit
arizonachristian.edu.
