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http://www.atlanticsun.org/wlacrosse/new...affiliate/

Quote:MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference announced today that Old Dominion University is the newest affiliate member of the Atlantic Sun Conference and will begin play in women's lacrosse in the 2014-15 season.

ODU will become the eighth women's lacrosse program for the A-Sun in 2014-15, as the Lady Monarchs will join play for the third season of A-Sun women’s lacrosse. The A-Sun concluded its inaugural women’s lacrosse season this spring with Jacksonville University earning the first championship and the A-Sun’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Other teams competing in A-Sun women’s lacrosse in 2014-15 include Detroit, Howard, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Stetson, and two programs that will be in their debut season, Furman and Mercer.

2013-2014 the team will compete as an Independent.

It's good that they've found a conference for them. Too bad they couldn't stay in the CAA or find a higher profile league. If they have good success I could see them moving eventually.

Does Men's Swimming have a conference yet?

It's probably an appropriate landing spot for them, at least for the near-future. ODU women's lacrosse hasn't been that hot, with only one winning record since 2004 and no NCAA trips since 2002. Here they can still play most of their regional rivals while having a better shot at an NCAA bid. If they rebuild the program, they could find themselves in a better (or at least more regional) league again.

The 2012 NCAA LAX RPI ranking

43 Jacksonville Atlantic Sun
70 Old Dominion Colonial
94 Detroit Atlantic Sun
97 Stetson Atlantic Sun
98 Kennesaw St. Atlantic Sun
99 Howard Atlantic Sun

Anyone follow wlax close enough to know why they are so bad? Poor coaching? recruiting? general lack of interest?

I guess the A10 said no. I don't blame them. ODU WLAX would bring their RPI down.

Better to rebuild in a weak conference than not find a home, struggle as an independent, and then ultimately lose funding and shut down. This was a survival move, I think.

I don't think we're in any position to shut down any women's programs.

Seems like a win-win situation. Considering the programs lack of success, moving to a more winnable conference can be just what they need to resemble the rest of the ODU sports department.