UMLC Adds Two Programs to D-I Roll

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) held its spring meeting and unanimously accepted three new teams to the conference.

Joining will be Michigan State -- the 2018 MCLA D-I National Champion -- along with Western MIchigan, both former members of the Continental Lacrosse Conference (CLC).

Michigan State and Western Michigan are moving from the CLC to align with a closer base of Midwest teams and will compete in the Division I East subdivision with Miami (Ohio), Indiana and Purdue.

In addition, Butler University is rejoining the MCLA after a stint in the NCLL, and will start the 2022 season as a D-III team.

"We hope the additions will continue to strengthen the level of play within the UMLC," said conference director Derek Daehn.

Kansas and Missouri will both be leaving the UMLC to become members of the Lone Star Alliance (LSA).

Illinois and Illinois State will move to the D-I West subdivision, joining Minnesota, Iowa State and Nebraska.

The UMLC will have 10 D-I teams, six D-II teams and one D-III team for the 2022 season.