About the Team
The Columbia Men’s Lacrosse Club is a competitive team that plays other schools and clubs as a member of the National Club Lacrosse League (NCLL). The NCLL is the largest collegiate club lacrosse league in the nation and is divided into two divisions (Division I and II respectively). The web site is www.ncllax.com and Columbia competes in the New York Metro Division against: Fordham, New York University, Hofstra, Brown, Yale, Stony Brook, and New Paltz. There are fall ball practices and scrimmages.
The spring is the main season and, in addition to having more practices, the team competes against all divisional opponents. Also, the team competes in the Beltway Bash at the University of Maryland, which is the largest club lacrosse tournament in the nation. Dues are $200 (subject to change) and each player receives: a pair of shorts, a home and away jersey, a reversible, and helmet stickers. Players are expected to supply their own pads (getting a Columbia blue C2 helmet is encouraged) and sticks. The dues contribute to: travel, fields, gear, and national and tournament fees.
The team practices and plays in Wien Stadium at the Baker Fields athletic complex: directions
Players take vans on a 10 to 15 minute drive to get to the fields and back. We generally meet at 8 pm to arrive at the field by 8:30 pm and practice until 10:30 pm and return to campus by 10:45 pm. The team meets in front of Dodge Fitness Center and then gets into the vans from there, however, players can also meet us at the field by taking the 1 subway train to the 215th street stop. For away games the team takes either vans or a charter bus, and, when necessary, stays over night in a hotel.
Team History: Over the last three years, the lacrosse team has seen significant improvements. In 2005-06, after coach Steve Pizzi retired, Jim Watson stepped in as coach. Watson, a two-time all-American at Pace University as an undergraduate, along with Freshman team president Julien Barbey led the Lions to a .500 record including wins over divisional rival NYU. 2006-07 would prove to be the most successful season in the team’s history: again under Watson and Barbey, the team amassed a record of 23-1 and was both Beltway Bash champions and NY Metro Division champions. However, the crowning achievement was winning the NCLL national championship over Cortland State at University of Kutztown, PA. The 2007-08 season had high expectations with many returning players. The team was a finalist in the Beltway Bash and defeated NYU at Madison Square Garden. Columbia lost to eventual national champions Cortland State in the play offs.