The Great Lakes Lacrosse League (GLLL) is a regional organization of non-varsity men's club

field lacrosse Field lacrosse is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867. ...

programs in the

Midwestern United States The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of the United States. I ...

. The GLLL was founded in 2004 to provide a competitive league for teams in the Midwest who want to play in a well-organized league outside of NCAA restrictions and without the expense of being a "virtual varsity." The GLLL has 40 teams from eight different states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The league is divided into six geographic divisions. Members of the GLLL strive to find a greater balance between athletics, personal life and academics. The season culminates each year with a championship tournament.

History

The GLLL originally formed with nine club teams in 2004. The founding teams were: Carleton College, Loyola University Chicago, Northern Michigan University, St. Norbert College, University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, University of Wisconsin–Platteville, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and Mad Cow Lacrosse Club (Milwaukee).

League play

GLLL league play consists of several mini-tourneys per season where multiple teams play each other at one site. Playing two games in a day allows teams to get their regular season schedule of approximately 8–10 games completed over five weekends in the spring. The season culminates in the championship tournament weekend in which all teams participate and are seeded by regional rankings. The GLLL is grouped into six divisions. Each division winner receives a championship plaque for their season and, along with two wildcard clubs, compete for the championship title. The remaining teams compete in a second-tier consolation bracket. Trophies are awarded for first through third place in both championship and consolation brackets. This format allows both strong teams and developing programs a more competitive experience.

Teams by division

Central Division

* Marquette * Northern Michigan/Michigan Tech * Wisconsin Grey * Wisconsin Red * Wisconsin White * UW-Milwaukee * UW-Stevens Point * UW-Whitewater * UW-Platteville

Chicago Division

* Bradley University * University of Chicago * DePaul University * University of Illinois-Chicago * Lake Forest College * Loyola University Chicago * Northern Illinois * Northwestern University * Saint Xavier University * Western Illinois University

Eastern Division

* Holy Cross (IN) * Michigan * Michigan State * Northwood * Notre Dame Blue * Notre Dame Gold

North Division

* Bethel University * St. Cloud State * St. Olaf * UW-Eau Claire * UW-River Falls * UW-Stout

Western Division

* Carleton * Gustavus Adolphus * Iowa * Minnesota State-Mankato * North Dakota * South Dakota State * UW-La Crosse * Winona State

GLLL Championship history

References

External links

* {{Field Lacrosse Leagues College lacrosse leagues in the United States College club sports associations in the United States