Lacrosse Officially Sanctioned as a Varsity Sport in Nevada
The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) announced on Wednesday that boys and girls lacrosse will be officially sanctioned as a varsity high school sport starting in the 2026-27 school year. This decision marks a significant milestone in the growing popularity of lacrosse within the state.
Governor Joe Lombardo expressed his support, stating, “I’m grateful for the work of NIAA to officially sanction lacrosse as a varsity sport in Nevada. Lacrosse is a sport with a rich cultural heritage, and I look forward to more Nevada students participating in it.” The announcement comes after a recent push for Senate Bill 305, which aimed to mandate the NIAA to sanction lacrosse as a high school sport. Although Lombardo vetoed the bill, the NIAA moved forward with the sanctioning process, demonstrating lacrosse’s increasing traction in the state.
An emergency board meeting is scheduled for August to initiate the formal sanctioning process. Currently, lacrosse is played during the spring season but has not received official status. Tim Jackson, NIAA executive director, expressed excitement about this new development, acknowledging the hard work of school administrators, community advocates, and families in making this dream a reality.
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs, a professional team in the National Lacrosse League, also hailed the NIAA’s decision. CEO Paul Speaker described it as a "monumental step forward," highlighting the positive impacts it will have on future generations of players in Nevada.
This historic move promises to enhance opportunities for high school athletes and grow the lacrosse community in the region, setting the stage for a vibrant future for the sport.
For more information, contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on X @AlexWright1028.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
