ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Elmira College announced it will transition its men's and women's varsity lacrosse programs to club status, effective June 1, 2021. The decision to transition the lacrosse programs to club status is part of a College-wide initiative to maintain financial stability as it restructures for a sustainable future.
 
"Given the current economic climate and challenges the College has faced over the past year, we must focus our limited resources where there is the greatest potential for growth and impact," said Renee Carlineo, associate vice president of athletics.
 
With the change, Elmira will sponsor 16 varsity sports: baseball, softball, cheerleading, field hockey, men's golf, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, and esports.
 
The men's lacrosse program debuted in the spring of 1989, while the women's program competed for the first time as a varsity sport in the spring of 2001.  The Department of Athletics will actively work with impacted student-athletes from both lacrosse programs to help them make the best decisions regarding their future academic and athletic careers.
 
Both lacrosse programs will continue to exist, but as a club sport at Elmira College, operating primarily on fundraising dollars accumulated over the past several years. Additional fundraising efforts will take place to ensure the lacrosse program's club status on campus.