The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) is set to begin sponsoring men's lacrosse as a championship sport starting in the 2026-27 academic year, with Stockton University joining alongside two new affiliate members: Centenary College (Louisiana) and Colorado College. The conference will have a total of six sponsoring institutions, which includes four full members and the two new affiliates. This decision positions the NJAC to potentially secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men鈥檚 Lacrosse Championship Tournament by 2028, following a one-year waiting period mandated by NCAA rules.

By the Numbers
  • Six total institutions will sponsor men's lacrosse in the NJAC.
  • 2028 is the target year for automatic NCAA tournament qualification.
State of Play
  • The NJAC will consist of a Gold Division and a Blue Division, each with three teams.
  • Centenary and Colorado College will consistently remain in the Gold Division.
What's Next

The NJAC will finalize and implement its structure for men's lacrosse ahead of the 2026-27 season. Stakeholders will monitor how the new affiliations impact competition dynamics and athletic opportunities for participating students.

Bottom Line

The introduction of men's lacrosse in the NJAC alongside new affiliate members marks a significant expansion of the conference's athletic offerings, promising enhanced competitive opportunities and growth for the sport across involved institutions.