US Lacrosse Study Reveals Continued Growth

From US Lacrosse

National lacrosse participation grew 10 percent in 2010 according to the annual participation survey conducted by US Lacrosse, released May 27, 2011. The US Lacrosse report found 624,593 players competed on organized teams in 2010, up 10 percent from the total of 568,021 in 2009. US Lacrosse first tracked overall lacrosse participation in 2001, when 253,931 people played on organized teams.

Youth lacrosse, categorized as players age 15 and under, accounted for the largest number of players with 324,673 competing in 2010, up 9.2 percent from 2009.

High school lacrosse also continued to boom with 255,314 players, up 12.2 percent from 2009. There are now 21 state high school athletic associations that have either formally sanctioned or recognized lacrosse. According to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the number of boys’ varsity programs has increased 55.0 percent over the last five years and the number of girls’ varsity programs has increased 48.4 percent. Both figures are the highest total among high school sports.

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Boys 5-yr
1. Lacrosse.........55%
2. Bowling.........39%
3. Volleyball......24%
4. Water Polo.....18%
5. Swimming.....16%

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Girls 5-yr
1. Lacrosse.........48%
2. Bowling.........45%
3. Ice Hockey.....30%
4. Golf................17%
5. Swimming......15%

Despite a challenging economic environment, college lacrosse also has seen an upward trend in participation. A total of 32,431 players competed on varsity and club teams in 2010, up 2.6 percent from 2009. Over the last five years, men’s and women’s college lacrosse are the fastest growing sports at the NCAA level. The number of men’s programs has increased 22.4 percent in that time span, and the number of women’s programs has increased 30.3 percent.

Growth Rates of NCAA Sports Men's 5-yr
1. Lacrosse............22%
2. Volleyball..........14%
3. Cross Country.....7%
4. Indoor Track.......6%
5. Golf/Swimming..5%

The US Lacrosse Participation Survey is produced annually by US Lacrosse. The survey is used to monitor participation at different levels of the sport across the country. The primary sources of data for this report are surveys that are sent to the 63 US Lacrosse regional chapters that were active in 2010. Data also is provided by the US Lacrosse database, the NCAA, the NFHS, the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association and the website www.laxpower.com. The survey counts only participation on organized teams and does not include leisure-time play of lacrosse.

► Download the 2010 US Lacrosse Participation Study

LACROSSE GROWTH SINCE 2001
The following numbers represent the total number of lacrosse players nationally since US
Lacrosse began tracking data in 2001.
Year Players     % 1-yr Growth
2001 253,931........... —
2002 288,104........... 13.5
2003 301,560..............4.7
2004 351,852............16.7
2005 381,568..............8.4
2006 426,022............11.7
2007 480,627............12.8
2008 524,230..............9.1
2009 568,021..............8.4
2010 624,593............10.0