The Division II Men’s Lacrosse Committee is exploring the idea of increasing the championship bracket from four to six teams due to the popularity of the sport.

The committee believes that expanding the bracket will take advantage of the increasing popularity of the sport at all levels and will help bring more attention to the Division II Men’s Lacrosse Championship, which is played over Memorial Day weekend in conjunction with the Divisions I and III championships. The semifinals have been played at the campuses of participating teams, with the winners advancing to the finals site. If the bracket is expanded to six teams, two will receive first-round byes into the semifinals.

The division’s women’s lacrosse committee previously expressed its desire to expand the Division II Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

 “There is an increasing number of competitive teams, and we also want to balance out with what the women are doing,” said committee Chair John Jez, head men’s lacrosse coach at C.W. Post. “With six teams, more student-athletes would have access to the championship, and it would be a better championship experience.”

While the Championships Committee must invite a sport committee to expand its bracket, the men’s lacrosse committee will submit the expansion concept to the championships group in the hopes of being formally asked to grow the bracket.