MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Robert Morris University has announced that its men's lacrosse team will join the Northeast Conference as an associate member beginning in the 2025 season.
 
After a two-year hiatus, the NEC reinstated men's lacrosse in October 2023. The league initially sponsored men's lacrosse from 2011 through 2022 and will recommence with seven competing programs - core members Le Moyne, LIU, and Wagner will be joined by associate teams Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy, RMU and VMI.
 
The Colonials men's lacrosse program was a member of the NEC from 2011-20, winning the regular season title in 2012 and finishing in the top-three in the conference standings seven times. RMU captured back-to-back NEC Tournament crowns in 2018 and 2019 and advanced in the 2018 NCAA Tournament after an Opening Round victory over Canisius.
 
RMU, which began sponsoring men's lacrosse in 2005, spent the last two years as an associate member in the ASUN. Under the guidance of then first-year head coach Craig McDonald, the Colonials secured the 2021 ASUN Tournament title and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in its first season as an affiliate following an 18-17 victory over Utah. Last season, RMU advanced to the ASUN semifinal round.
 
"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," said McDonald. "We look forward to competing not only for a NEC title, but a chance to represent the NEC in the NCAA Tournament."
 
Men's lacrosse has held NCAA championship sport status since 1981. Currently, there are 77 NCAA Division I institutions that sponsor the sport.