SMU Lacrosse Joins the ACC, Marking a Landmark Moment for Texas

SMU is bringing NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse to Texas—and doing it on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Beginning in the spring of 2028, the Mustangs will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, becoming the league’s sixth men’s lacrosse program.

The announcement is a defining step for both SMU Athletics and the growth of lacrosse across the Lone Star State. As Texas’ first Division I men’s lacrosse program, SMU will give talented in-state players a new opportunity to compete at the highest collegiate level without leaving home, while also creating a powerful recruiting presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing lacrosse markets.

SMU enters an ACC lineup that includes Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse and Virginia—five programs with championship traditions and national recognition. The addition of the Mustangs also gives the conference the six teams needed to meet the threshold for an automatic berth in the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship, pending NCAA eligibility requirements and approval.

For the Mustangs, the move reflects a bold investment in the future. SMU has already raised nearly $15 million toward a $25 million fundraising goal and will play at the SMU Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field. The university has also named Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Ryan McCabe to lead the early buildout of the program, including its operations and recruiting efforts.

The timing is especially meaningful. More than 3,200 high school athletes currently compete across nearly 160 varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams in Texas, illustrating the growing demand for the sport throughout the state. SMU’s arrival gives that momentum a flagship Division I program capable of inspiring the next generation of players, coaches and fans.

The Mustangs will face a steep competitive climb in the ACC, but the opportunity is equally significant. SMU is not simply adding a new sport—it is helping reshape the geography of Division I lacrosse. When the Mustangs take the field in 2028, they will carry the energy of a new program, a growing state and a conference built for college lacrosse’s biggest moments.

The article reflects SMU’s October 15 announcement, including its planned 2028 ACC debut, first-in-Texas Division I status, fundraising progress, and the conference’s automatic-bid implications. SMU Athletics