UW Madison Men's Lacrosse Club

Currently Under Construction

How can I contact the Team?
If you are looking to play lacrosse at the University of Wisconsin Madison, you've come to the right place! This website is the information hub for all things Wisconsin Lacrosse. It will provide you with times and locations for tryouts, practices, games and events, as well as any other information you might possibly need. Specific contact information will be located in the above tab called contacts. Additionally if you are interested in playing for the MCLA team, you should fill out the website registration and recruiting form located above.

Is Wisconsin Lacrosse an NCAA Insitution?
No. The University of Wisconsin sponsors 23 Varsity programs, and Lacrosse is not one of them. The University of Wisconsin Men's Club Lacrosse team is a student organization run out of the Recreational Sports Department  of the University. Within the Club there are two very distinctly run teams, the MCLA Team (for which this FAQ is addressed) and the GLLL/NCLL team. Each team functions seperately and independently from each other yet is united under the Wisconsin Lacrosse Banner.

What is the difference between the MCLA and GLLL teams?
The Wisconsin Lacrosse GLLL team is a very well organized, but less time consuming program. The team plays a full spring and fall season  as well as several nonleague tournaments , practicing twice per week in the spring and fall and once a week in winter. In the spring, the team plays in the GLLL league which consists of 34 teams from 7 states including Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern and competes for the NCLL national title. Additionally, cost to play is a low $475/ yr. All spring and fall trips except Mardi Gras and Europe are included.  For more information on their program, click on the above tab entitled "GLLL".
The MCLA program is much more structured and much more organized program. Our players are committed to the team and competing for a national championship on a yearly basis. We practice three times per week in the fall, as well as three to four times in the spring (which is our main season). Additionally we have PT Sessions, film and chalk talks and occasional team study halls.  The cost of participation is more, but in the end it evens out because our dues are all inclusive for the season, whereas the GLLL dues are  cover all Fall and Spring team functions with optional trips to Mardi Gras or Europe costing extra . We play traditional opponents such as Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.

How is the Lacrosse team funded?
Our program is funded primarily through player registration dues. This year, the cost of participation for our players was approximately $2000. This was payed in multiple installments. Next year that number may change slightly. While the cost may be high, DO NOT LET THIS DETER YOU FROM PLAYING. I repeat, DO NOT LET THIS DETER YOU FROM PLAYING. If cost is a significant issue for you, you work with us, and are a reliable player and temmate, it would be easy to work out a loan for which you would repay the club through fundraised dues or when you have accured money to pay for your season. In comparison to other MCLA institutions, that number is about average.
Additionally, annually the team participates in fundraising efforts to raise a significant portion of the overall team budget. In our second year of our fundraising effort, the badgers raised over $10,000 to help fund the team through various events, organizations and donations. Additionally, the team participated in the UW Relay for Life event, raising a significant amount of money for Breast Cancer research.

So You Have to Pay?
If you come to Wisconsin, you will have to pay to play on the team. Thats simply the reality of the situation. This year dues were aproximately $2000. Next year they will be about the same. So expect participation in lacrosse at the UW to cost $2000+ before you arrive to campus. Then add $21,438 for average out of state tuition and $11,531 for freshman room and board. If you want to play lacrosse at Wisconsin, it will cost you approximately $35,000.1
Compare this experience to private D3 school, such as Tufts University, National champions for division 3 in 2010 and runners up in 2011. For the most part, you will play lacrosse for free, however Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Tufts University tuition is $42,962. Think about that; A school you’ve probably never heard of outside of lacrosse charges $42,962 per year. Add $11,512 for room and board as well as a couple grand for miscellaneous expenses and it costs you $56,608 to play lacrosse for one year at Tufts University.2
The fact of the matter is that if you wish to play lacrosse at a successful division 3 institution, there is a good chance it will cost significantly more to play there than it would to play at Wisconsin. And what would you be paying for? If you attend such a school, your time will be dominated by lacrosse and lacrosse alone. If that is what you wish for than thats great! But at wisconsin, not only do you pay for an unparalleled lacrosse experience, but you pay for the experience of a lifetime. You pay for the opportunity to attend a world renowned University with thousands of oppurtunities to get involved with your fellow peers, an unparalleled social scene, opportunities to view some of the best college athletics in the nation, as well as one of the best educations you can achieve. Not only that, but in attending wisconsin, you join one of the most comprehensive alumni families who will help you generations on.
Does Badger Lacrosse offer Scholarships or assistance with admissions?
As a MCLA program, we do not provide scholarships or have influence over the admissions process. Student-athletes interested in attending the University of Wisconsin Madison should contact the admissions office for application and financial aid information.  Wisconsin's academic requirements are all specifically detailed on that website.  Please make sure you check them as they are known to change after each semester.  

What Is the Commitment Level of the MCLA Team?
One of the biggest concerns of many freshman is how big of a commitment lacrosse will take up. Think of it this way: there are 24 hours in a day, and we only take two hours (3 max) out of your day on most days. If you spend 8 hours sleeping, that leaves you with 14 hours to accomplish all other obligations, such as school and family related issues.
It all comes down to individual accountability. School, lacrosse, and family are priority number one. Not family first, then school and then lacrosse. All three are number one. There’s too much time in a day for you to work and get things accomplished if you’re willing to pay a price. Many times less motivated students will sleep 12 hours a day, skip homework assignments and procrastinate to study on a test until the last minute and then produce a bogus excuse that lacrosse is too great of a commitment and they need to study for class. WE DO TOLERATE THAT HERE. Those students are the ones who fail to take the initiatives for themselves are wasting their time at this institution. However, if you are truly dedicated to achieving personal success, you will find that not only will it be easy to participate in lacrosse, you will find that the benefits of playing will extend beyond the lacrosse field and into the real world upon graduation.
Additionally, many players on our team find time not only to participate in lacrosse, but also to be involved in greek life, ASM, engineering clubs and much more. Over half of our team boasts GPAs above 3.0, and we had four students make the MCLA All Academic list for the 2011 season. Some students even manage to work while playing lacrosse. It comes down to time management. If you are a responsible individual, accomplish your school work and show up on time to practice ready to work on a daily basis, than you will excel at the University and have the greatest experience of your life!

What is a typical week/Practice Schedule like?
During the fall we will practice three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 to 7 PM at our University Bay rec fields. Additionally, we will have PT sessions Sunday afternoons, and Tuesday and Thursday mornings. These sessions involve basic workouts such as running, push ups, pull ups, prisoner squats and core work. These sessions will help prepare us for our fall tournaments.
During the winter and early spring, we will practice regularly at KEVA sports complex in Middleton, a quick 20 minute drive off campus. Because of the lack of turf fields in Madison, we practice and play several games at Middleton High School as well. Additionally we will have several conditioning, lifting, and stickwork sessions to remain it top shape for our season.
In addition to the physical aspect, the Badgers will have regular study tables and chalk talks to keep the team on point during the season. If applicable, the Badgers will have film sessions before a game to scout an opponent, as well as film study after a game to learn how to improve for games to come.

Does the MCLA Team make cuts?
The simple answer is no. We welcome anyone and everyone who is willing to buy into our program and pay the price to be successful. During the first few weeks of september, the team will hold evaluations, which is more for new players to become acclimated with the coaching staff and current players and returners to break back into lacrosse again. Additionally this offers the coaching staff the opportunity to see where the team is at and what needs to or doesnt need to be accomplished.
Eventually if our roster swells to a high enough number, we may need to make travel cuts for finantial reasons. This however has not happened in our three years of existance and probably wont be an issue for several years.

How can I try out to play/do you recruit?
Our team actively recruits through contacting players via emails and phonecalls, as well as attend several recruiting showcases around the midwest. But because we are limited in our abilities as a club program,  the best way to voice your interest in playing for Wisconsin Lacrosse is to fill our the recruit questionaire and submit it to us, along with any other films, stats or accolades you feel neccesary.
Another way to display your interest in participating on the Wisconsin MCLA Lacrosse team would be to attend the team evaluations.  The website calendar will display the dates for evaluations.

Who does the Wisconsin MCLA Lacrosse team Play?
Wisconsin competes nationally in Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA), the largest lacrosse league in the world. The MCLA is made up of approximately 215 teams in 10 conferences that represent virtually every region of the country. The Badgers are a member of the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference (GRLC), which is composed of ten teams in the central Midwest region, such as Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa. Other conferences include the UMLL (Upper Midwest), the RMLC (Rocky Mountains), the CCLA (Midwest/MI area), the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL), Pioneer League (Northeast), the SELC (Southeast), the Southern Lacrosse Conference (Arizona and SoCal), the Lonestar Alliance (Texas), and the PNCLL (Pacific Northwest).
Wisconsin annually schedules matchups with traditional rivals such as the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Marquette Golden Eagles (who now feature a division 1 team). Additionally, the Badgers try to schedule as many Big Ten opponents as possible, while competing each year for a GRLC crown. In 2010, the first year competing in the MCLA, the Badgers dethrowned the Lindenwood Lions, who had held the conference crown for the previous six years, before losing to Illinois in the finals. Last year the Badgers held the Number one seed in the tournament before eventually being upset by Illinois again in the Semis. This year the Badgers look to improve their strength of schedule by playing the defending national champions in BYU in Minnesota.
In the fall, the Badgers usually compete in several tournaments. In 2010, the Badgers competed in the Mad City tournament, a tournament held by the other lacrosse program at the University, in which the Badgers defeated the Ohio State club, Minnesota, Western Michigan and eventually the GLLL team in the finals (the other lacrosse team at Wisconsin) to win the tournament. Last fall the Badgers were invited to compete in the Carthage Lakeshore Classic which featured tough opponents such as Illinois, St. Thomas, Grand Vally State and the Division 3 Carthage College. Under the lights the Badgers lost a  hard fought match to Carthage 11-7. We look forward to returning to those events in the future.

Can I come and watch a game?
We ABSOLUTLY encourage you to come and check out a game! It will provide you an excellent chance to meet some of the coaches and players, as well as see the Badgers in action! Additionally, it provides you with an opportune time to visit the campus if you haven't already. Be sure to check the Website regularly for updates on game locations, as they are occasionally subject to change.