Big East forms men's lacrosse league

Jun 11, 2008 - 4:41 PM PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Ticker) -- The Big East Conference on Wednesday announced the formation of a seven-team men's lacrosse league that will begin play in 2010.

The conference schools that will compete in the new league are Georgetown, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, St, John's, defending national champion Syracuse and Villanova. The teams will play a six-game single round robin schedule. The Big East will apply to the NCAA for an automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA tournament.

Last month, Syracuse won its record 10th national title as a Division I independent. Notre Dame also garnered a berth in the NCAA tournament as an automatic qualifier by winning the Great Western Lacrosse League.

Currently, Georgetown, Rutgers and St. John's are part of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Providence is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Villanova plays in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Men's lacrosse will be the 24th sport sponsored by the Big East.