“This is a historic moment for SMU and for the sport of lacrosse,” said Damon Evans, SMU Director of Athletics. “We are proud to be the first Division I school to bring men’s lacrosse to Texas, a sport that has tremendous growth potential across our state. This is a bold investment that will bring another elite program to our campus, and we expect to compete and win immediately.”
“SMU is so proud to bring high-level lacrosse to the Hilltop,” said Jay Hartzell, SMU President. “From the moment we began exploring this opportunity, the enthusiastic support we received has only reinforced our conviction that lacrosse belongs in Texas. SMU is thrilled to be once again leading the way.”
Beginning with the 2028 season, SMU will become the sixth ACC men’s lacrosse program, joining one of the nation’s premier conferences in the sport. All five current ACC programs have won at least one national championship since 2009, and all five qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. With the addition of SMU, the ACC will reach the six-team threshold required for automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship, subject to NCAA eligibility requirements and approval.
Texas is already home to a growing lacrosse community, with more than 3,200 high school athletes competing across nearly 160 varsity and junior varsity teams statewide. SMU’s launch of the state’s first NCAA Division I men’s program will create new opportunities for student-athletes from Texas and across the country to compete at the highest collegiate level.
SMU Athletics has designated Ryan McCabe, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, as the program lead. McCabe will lead efforts to build out the operations of the lacrosse program, including coordinating recruiting.
In just two months, SMU Athletics has raised $15 million to support the lacrosse program, against a goal to raise $25 million by April 1, 2027. Today’s official announcement is only possible because of the vision and generosity of our founding donors:
- Kamela and Kenneth Aboussie
- Tony Creme ’98 and Kali Creme
- Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum
- Bert A. Getz, Jr. ’89, Susan Getz, and the Globe Foundation
- Andrew D. McCullough, Jr. ’91 and Laura McCullough
- Amy ’99 McKnight and Drew McKnight
- Scott and Kimberly Resnick
- Sarah A. Scharbauer ’03
- Karen J. Scharbauer ’74
- Christine Underwood and David M. Underwood, Jr. ’88
- Danielle A. Walker and Thomas B. Walker, III
SMU continues to expand outreach to those who wish to join this founding group. For more information on how to support lacrosse at SMU, please visit smumustangs.com/lacrosse.
What They’re Saying:
Jim Phillips, Ph.D., Commissioner, Atlantic Coast Conference
“SMU President Jay Hartzell, Director of Athletics Damon Evans and the entire Mustang leadership team should be applauded for their substantial investment in, and continued commitment to, providing increased opportunities for student-athletes. The addition of men’s lacrosse is an exciting step forward for SMU’s athletics program and campus community. The ACC is widely recognized as the nation’s premier men’s lacrosse conference, and we look forward to welcoming the Mustangs to our men’s lacrosse ranks.”
Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum
“Our family has been longtime fans and advocates for the great game of lacrosse, and we are thrilled to see our beloved sport added to SMU Athletics. We take extraordinary pride that our namesake, the SMU Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field, will be the home for SMU’s lacrosse program.”
John Waldron, SMU Trustee and President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group
“This is a defining moment for SMU, Mustang Nation, and lacrosse in Texas. Bringing the first NCAA Division I lacrosse program to Texas creates an exciting opportunity to elevate SMU’s national profile, strengthen our ties to Dallas and its business community, and build on the university’s extraordinary momentum.”
