The DeeThreeLax landscape is adding another program. Rhode Island College has announced the addition of men’s lacrosse as the school’s 24th intercollegiate sport, with the Anchormen scheduled to begin competition during the 2027–28 academic year. Rhode Island College President Jack Warner announced the addition as part of a broader initiative that will also increase investment in the school’s existing women’s lacrosse program, including the addition of a full-time head coach.

For RIC, the move is about more than simply adding another sport. The college views men’s lacrosse as an opportunity to support enrollment growth while tapping into the established lacrosse communities throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding New England region.

“Adding men’s lacrosse at the present time fits in very well with our overall strategic enrollment plan of enhancing our male enrollment,” Warner said, while also emphasizing the importance of increasing resources for the women’s program.

The process of building the new program is expected to begin almost immediately. Rhode Island College plans to conduct a national search for the program’s first head coach, giving the eventual hire time to recruit, build a roster, establish the program’s identity and prepare for its inaugural season.

The college will also begin securing the equipment and resources necessary to launch the program. That runway could prove important. Starting a program from scratch gives the first coaching staff an opportunity to establish its recruiting footprint well before the opening faceoff, particularly in a region with a significant pool of high school and club lacrosse talent. The addition also brings another men’s lacrosse program into the orbit of the Little East Conference, further strengthening DeeThreeLax presence in New England. 

Rhode Island College Director of Athletics Don Tencher pointed specifically to the lacrosse environment within the conference when discussing the announcement. “I am also elated that we will be able to be part of a very strong lacrosse community in the Little East Conference,” Tencher said. For Rhode Island College, that provides the new program with an established regional foundation as it begins recruiting and building toward competition.

The announcement is another positive development for the continued expansion of DeeThreeLax. Rhode Island already has an established lacrosse community, and adding another collegiate option creates additional opportunities for players throughout the state and region who want to continue their careers at the DeeThree Level. 

The biggest question now becomes who Rhode Island College selects to build it. With a national coaching search expected to begin almost immediately and the inaugural season targeted for 2027–28, the next several months should provide the first look at what direction RIC wants to take with its newest athletic program.  

Rhode Island College men’s lacrosse is coming in 2027–28.