MINNEAPOLIS – Both divisions of the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) will be strengthened in 2018 with the addition of quality programs at each level.

In Division I, the UMLC has added eight external teams while seeing two former D-II programs move into the division.

Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Purdue have all moved from the former Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference (GRLC) to the UMLC. The GRLC will no longer be operating as an MCLA league.

In addition, Oakland (Mich.) moves from the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association (CCLA) to the UMLC-I while St. Cloud State and MSU-Mankato are reclassifying to Division I after operating as UMLC-II outfits in 2017.

Teamed up with the lone UMLC-I team from last season, Iowa State, the UMLC now boasts 11 teams.

“We’re pleased to add all of the new teams to our league,” said UMLC secretary Chris Larson. “Matt Gardiner, Andy Joly, Kyle Hawkins and Mike Martin did a wonderful job building the GRLC, and those programs will make for a great addition, helping us reclaim our automatic qualifier in Division I.”

In Division II, Grand Valley State and Dayton, formerly of the CCLA, will join the four remaining UMLC-II programs – Minn.-Duluth, North Dakota State, St. John’s and St. Thomas – to create a six-team automatic qualifying conference.

CCLA-II will no longer exist as an MCLA conference.

With the addition of the Lakers and Flyers, the UMLC now boasts teams with a combined seven MCLA National Championships, including five of the last six.

“The UMLC has been the most powerful Division II conference in the country, and the addition of Grand Valley State and Dayton makes it that much stronger,” Larson said. “Every regular season game will be must-see lacrosse.”

2018 Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference - Division I

2018 Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference - Division II