Lacrosse is a sport that has evolved and grown over the last few decades and does not show any signs of slowing down. According to a Sport and Fitness Industry Association report, participation in lacrosse has increased by 25% since 2012, while other sports like football and baseball have dropped over the last five years. Originally, the hot beds for lacrosse were on the East Coast, primarily Maryland and New York. However, the sport has spread across the country and according to US Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in California. Due to this increased popularity and accessibility, participation of lacrosse has expanded well beyond the youth level into college and professional for both men and women. Another measure of the expansion of the sport is how Division I lacrosse teams enhance and upgrade their facilities in order to attract the highest rated recruits for their programs. Spanning from coast to coast, these facilities represent the value placed on the lacrosse teams by the school, the community, and the conference.
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For the future lacrosse all-stars, the atmosphere of competing at the college level can be intimidating, exciting, and confusing. Athletic facilities vary from school to school, but the top schools are the ones who are advancing with the growth and needs of the sport. For that purpose, LRT Sports takes a look at the Top Five Division I Women's Lacrosse Fields, analyzing not only the quality of the fields but the quality of the views, ranked by date of completion:
#5: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University (1980)
Although indoors, the Carrier Dome is a staple of Syracuse University and historic sporting events. The stadium was opened in the fall of 1980. With the ability to hold nearly 50,000 guests, it is utilized by Syracuse football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's lacrosse, as well as concert venues. The dome sits atop a hill on the campus of Syracuse University, and the top can be seen from miles away.
What does this mean for Syracuse Women's lacrosse? Their home field advantage is one of the strongest in the country, while it does hinder their ability to play in other conditions. The team is used to being indoors, unbothered by the weather outside, in a huge dome with bright lights. To those who do not regularly play in the dome, it's an exciting experience and the vastness of the space can be overwhelming at first. Syracuse is entrenched with tradition, with the men's program recently celebrating their 100th year anniversary, while the women's program has recently celebrated their 25th year anniversary. After producing some of the country's top players over the last decade, the Orange have struggled the last two seasons. Only time will tell if the young team will finally win their first national championship in program history.
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#4: Rip Miller Field, United States Naval Academy (1991)
In recent years, the Navy Women's Lacrosse team has become a force to be reckoned with not only within the Patriot League, but throughout the country. Their most recent bout of success came in 2017 with their first final four appearance in school history. They are led by Hall of Fame coach, Cindy Timchal, who is the NCAA's all-time leader in career wins in women's college lacrosse.
Typically, the Navy women's lacrosse team has home games that are inside the infamous Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Built in 1959 and holding 34,000 seats, the stadium's vastness and grandeur provides awe for all spectators and players. The reason it is on the Top Five list for Division I Women's Lacrosse Fields is due to its location right on the water. The field itself was constructed a few years after the death of E.E. “Rip” Miller in the early 90's, to honor the former head football coach and assistant athletic director. Every year during the off-season, the Navy women's lacrosse team hosts fall ball tournaments where games are held at both Rip Miller Field and the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Located in Annapolis, Maryland, a hotbed for youth lacrosse, these fields also host tournaments for youth teams.
#3: Papé Field, University of Oregon (2012)
One of the more advanced athletic facilities in the country, Papé Field was completed in 2012 as a gift to the University of Oregon. Originally built in 1998, it was exclusively a grass soccer venue that has progressed over the last two decades into becoming a top of the line Sports Complex. The turf field is utilized by both women's soccer and lacrosse programs for the university. It is located right next to the PK Park and Autzen Stadium, providing seating for around 1,000 fans. The facilities include top of the line locker rooms, meeting rooms, and training rooms for both women's soccer and lacrosse teams. The atmosphere is enhanced by the recognizable Oregon display on the field, as well as corresponding graphics that promote the University's athletics.
Related: Why DI Doesn't Always Mean Top Notch Athletic Facilities
#2: Sentara Park, James Madison University (2012)
Located in Harrisburg, Virginia, Sentara Park is home to the athletic facilities utilized by James Madison University men's and women's soccer, lacrosse, and track and field programs. The Shenandoah Valley region is infamous for the stunning sunsets and is one of the perks JMU lacrosse gets to observe during practices. Prior to 2016, the fields were known as the University Park complex. The University then made a deal with the corporation, Sentara, which was the first time in the school's history that an athletic facility was named after a corporation instead of a person. The fields debuted in 2012, offering Bermuda grass, synthetic/AstroTurf Gameday Grass, and natural grass for the variety of uses it provides. In total the complex has three practice fields and one competition venue. Over the summer of 2018, construction began for a new indoor facility at the complex as well.
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#1: Martin Stadium, Northwestern University (2016)
One of the most impressive stadium locations in the country exists at Northwestern University. The Larry and Sharon Martin Stadium is situated between a football practice field, and a field hockey stadium, as part of the new renovations the University has completed for their athletic facilities. Conveniently named, these fields are considered the Lakeside Fields, in reference to the stunning backdrop they provide. The Martin Stadium holds 2000 seats for both soccer and lacrosse games for Northwestern. After the 2016 renovation, there is now a new turf field, lighting, and video-equipment to enhance the overall experience for participating in and attending a Northwestern lacrosse game. The only flaw, if any, of these breathtaking facilities are the fact that Illinois is known for bitter winters and cold weather. Add that cold and multiply it by the chill of being lakeside, and it can without a doubt interfere with the game.
On the plus side, Northwestern lacrosse is known for its toughness and this stadium only gives them an upper hand against their opponents. One of the most impressive lacrosse programs in lacrosse history, started off in 2005 with an undefeated season and their first lacrosse NCAA Championship. Under Amonte Hiller, the team won seven national championships in ten years becoming an icon of women's college lacrosse. After a lull over the last few years, in 2018 Northwestern had one of the most successful seasons, earning a record of 15-6. They made their 13th appearance in the NCAA tournament, making it all the way to the quarterfinals before falling to UNC.
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* Originally published on January 13, 2023, by Morgan Hollenback
