The College Women’s softball Championship was June 1-9. The 2023 eight team Mens College World Series is still playing in Omaha. It plays out from June 16-26. It is June 18 and TCU, Virginia, Florida, Oral Roberts, Tennessee, LSU, Stanford, and Wake Forest are still playing college baseball.
Does NCAA lacrosse end prematurely?
There are reasons for lacrosse or any sport to be finished by the end of May.
Student athletes have internships and jobs.
The physical toll of the season.
Administrators don’t have to remain engaged in the summer.
Prolonged maintenance of cleaning locker rooms, stadiums, and grooming fields……
The tradition of playing a Basketball style Final Four weekend ending on Memorial Day is a lacrosse tradition.
There are also reasons for the NCAA lacrosse tournament to move to June.
Weeks more of television and media exposure focused on the highest level of NCAA lacrosse has enormous market value. More work for @AnishESPN, @QKessenich, @paulcarcaterra.
To reduce wear and tear on players of games in May and June, in the beginning of the season teams could start practice and games a week or two later and or add a bye week. (This may have some academic benefits as well.)
Northern teams could play more regular season lacrosse in May and less miserable weather lacrosse in February and March. (Ohio State played its last home game on April 7. Did the Buckeyes play a game in Columbus where the fans weren’t wearing parkas?) Moving the tournament to June could boost regular season attendance.
There are more stages to use college lacrosse to promote the PLL.
Playoffs are well past exams and graduations.
Most teams as still done before Memorial Day.
The farmers’ almanac says (according to the sun’s positioning to the earth), spring started on March 20, 2023 and ends on June 20. Watch a lacrosse game in the first week of March up north. That is winter.
May and June night games are great for many families who can pair their regular weekend daytime activities with a lacrosse event in the evening.
There are a lot of compelling and competing activities Memorial Day weekend for people to choose between. Lacrosse does not always outcompete reunions, beaches, boats, weddings…..
Summer schedules are more flexible.
There are many ways to structure a June playoff schedule. Here is one:
Memorial Day Weekend: Conference Championship weekend (Semifinals/Finals)
1st Weekend of June: first round
2nd weekend in June: quarterfinals
3rd weekend in June (Juneteenth Holiday): New Championship weekend
List your pros and cons in the comments.
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