| Lacrosse has
existed at the University of Tennessee since the mid-1970's.
Because the program was less organized over the years, the exact
year is unknown. The program began as a club team open to
students, faculty, and local residents interested in playing the
game at the club level. In those days, the team played mostly
men's club teams around the South because of the lack of intercollegiate
clubs. In
1989, the team joined the growing SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference
(SELC) and in a few years began a premier team in that league
and has remained so ever since. The team won two back-to-back
SELC titles in 1993 and 1994 and had two rebuilding years in 1995
and 1996.
By
1998, the program began its journey to become a nationally recognized
and respected team. In 1999, the dream came true with another
SELC title and its first trip to the nationals where it beat out
two other teams (Texas A&M and Michigan), lost an overtime
game to Colorado, and lost to the eventual champions-the Colorado
State Rams. Despite the losses, Tennessee gained national
recognition, which showed in the United States Intercollegiate
Lacrosse Associates Pre-Season Top 25 Poll the following season.
Tennessee earned the highest ever obtained by any team east of
the Mississippi river in this poll at #6 in the country.
 
The
2000 Vols finished the regular season with an outstanding 14-2
record and brought home a second consecutive conference championship.
Not only was this the Vols' 4th championship in 7 years, it also
gained them a second consecutive trip to the National Tournament
in St.Louis. The team finished with a commendable record of 1-2
at the National Championship. 2001 found the Vols eager for another
season of national competition. While the season had its ups and
downs, the Tennessee maintained its status as a national competitor
by earning their third trip to the National Tournament. In 2002
the Vols were under the direction of a new head coach: Alex White.
Alex had been the long time assistant coach and took the Vols
to a 3rd place SELC finish. The 2003 season was rough one for
a young squad. However after making improvements during the year
the Vols are ready to return in 2004.
The
History of Tennessee Lacrosse is rich in successes, but the future
looks brighter with each coming year and each freshman class.
Go Vols!
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