SMU will launch Texas' first Division I men's lacrosse program, starting play in spring 2028

What SMU announced

Southern Methodist University said Thursday that it will start an NCAA Division I men's lacrosse program, with the Mustangs scheduled to play their first season in the spring of 2028. According to the school's athletics department, it will be the first Division I men's lacrosse team based in Texas. ^{[1] [2]}

The team will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. SMU athletic director Damon Evans called it "a historic moment for SMU and for the sport of lacrosse" and said the department expects "to compete and win immediately." ^[1]

Why the ACC cares

SMU's addition gives the ACC six men's lacrosse programs starting with the 2028 season. The school says that reaches the six-team minimum for the conference to receive an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship, subject to NCAA eligibility rules and approval. Sticks in Lacrosse noted that ACC teams have previously had to reach the NCAA field through at-large bids. ^{[1] [3]}

Inside Lacrosse reported a day before the announcement that a sixth team would give the ACC champion an automatic bid for the first time since 2016. The league is already one of the strongest in the sport: SMU's release says all five current ACC men's lacrosse programs have won at least one national title since 2009 and all five made the 2026 NCAA tournament. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips described the conference as "the nation's premier men's lacrosse conference." ^{[4] [1]}

Money, facilities and staff

SMU says it has raised $15 million in roughly two months toward a $25 million fundraising target, which it aims to reach by April 1, 2027. The school listed a group of founding donor families and said it is still seeking additional supporters. ^{[1] [3]}

The Mustangs will play at the SMU Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field, named for donor Gary T. Crum. Sticks in Lacrosse reported that the field, which has hosted SMU club sports including men's and women's lacrosse, is set for renovation and expansion. Inside Lacrosse had reported earlier that a renovation of the field was part of the school's exploratory plan. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

No head coach has been named. SMU said Ryan McCabe, its senior associate athletics director for compliance, will lead the effort to build out the program's operations, including recruiting. Evans told Sticks in Lacrosse that hiring the right head coach is a key step in the plan. ^{[1] [3]}

A fast timeline

The decision moved quickly. Evans acknowledged at ACC meetings in June that the department was exploring the sport, according to Inside Lacrosse, which also reported this week that SMU hoped to field a team in 2028. On3 reported Thursday that the school had confirmed those plans. ^{[4] [2]}

Inside Lacrosse reported that the timing could let SMU recruit graduate transfers, since the NCAA transfer portal opened Oct. 1 to seniors who want to keep playing as graduate students, and that several All-Americans had told the outlet they were considering SMU. Those players' intentions have not been confirmed by the school. ^[4]

Lacrosse in Texas

SMU is pitching the program as a home for a growing in-state talent pool. Its announcement cites more than 3,200 high school lacrosse players on nearly 160 varsity and junior varsity teams across Texas. SMU president Jay Hartzell said the university is "thrilled to be once again leading the way." ^[1]