PARK RIDGE, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten is adding lacrosse as a sport in 2015 and welcoming Johns Hopkins as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse only.
The addition of men's and women's lacrosse to the conference portfolio will boost the number of league sports to 28.
Both the men's and women's lacrosse leagues will include Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers. Maryland and Rutgers officially join the conference starting in 2014.
Six teams are required to hold a conference championship, so adding Johns Hopkins as an affiliate member brings the Big Ten to the minimum number for men's lacrosse. The sixth team on the women's side will be current Big Ten member Northwestern.
