NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Judgement Weekend, the in-season showdown featuring some of the best MCLA Division II teams in the country, started in Chicago, but the franchise is moving to Nashville, Tenn., this spring.

Ten teams from seven different states and three conferences will take part in “Music City Judgement” from March 8-11 on the campus of Vanderbilt University.

“It has been a long process to finalize the matchups and reserve fields, but all coaches involved chipped in to make this the biggest Division II out-of-conference event to date,” said St. John’s coach Derek Daehn.

“Taking a page from MCLA Division I’s Battle for Baltimore, we wanted to offer top competition for every team that wants to challenge themselves for a run at a national title,” said Florida Gulf Coast coach Mike Dubbelde. “This will become an annual event that will continue to gain traction and interest from the best teams in the MCLA Division II."

Of the ten teams – Bridgewater State, Central Conn. State, Columbus State, Dayton, Florida Gulf Coast, Grand Valley State, Kennesaw State, Minn.-Duluth, St. John’s, St. Thomas – eight were ranked in the Top 13 of the final 2017 coaches poll.

In addition, seven of the teams qualified for the 2017 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, with Grand Valley State and St. Thomas advancing to the national semifinals.

The tournament will begin on Thursday, March 8 with a rematch of last year’s national championship first round game between Minn.-Duluth and Florida Gulf Coast at 5 p.m. This will be followed by four games on Friday, seven games on Saturday and four more on Sunday.

The games are free of charge to the general public and all are encouraged to attend.

“I’d like to say ‘Thank you,’ to the Vanderbilt University men's lacrosse program for assisting with field rental and to SLC director Matt Holman for his guidance in securing fields,” added Daehn.

2018 Music City Judgement Schedule
All games on the campus of Vanderbilt University

Thursday, March 8
Minn.-Duluth vs. Florida Gulf Coast, 5 p.m.

Friday, March 9
St. John’s vs. Dayton, 12 p.m.
Florida Gulf Coast vs. Grand Valley State, 2:30 p.m.
St. Thomas vs. Bridgewater State, 5 p.m.
Minn.-Duluth vs. Kennesaw State, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 10
St. John’s vs. Central Conn. State, 11 a.m.
Columbus State vs. Minn.-Duluth, 11 a.m.
Dayton vs. Bridgewater State vs. 1:30 p.m.
St. Thomas vs. Florida Gulf Coast, 1:30 p.m.
Grand Valley State vs. Kennesaw State, 4 p.m.
St. John’s vs. Columbus State, 4 p.m.
Central Conn. State vs. Dayton, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 11
Bridgewater State vs. St. John’s, 9 a.m.
Grand Valley State vs. Central Conn. State, 9 a.m.
Columbus State vs. Dayton, 11:30 p.m.
Kennesaw State vs. St. Thomas, 11:30 p.m.