Chancellor King Celebrates SUNY Women's Lacrosse Teams Advancing to NCAA Division I and Division III Championship Tournaments
May 8, 2026
Invites New Yorkers to Learn More About Athletic Programs at SUNY Campuses Throughout New York State
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today celebrated the State University of New York at Albany and the State University of New York at Stony Brook women's lacrosse teams as they advance to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I championship tournament, and the SUNY Cortland and the SUNY Farmingdale State College women's lacrosse teams as they advance to the NCAA Division III championship tournament. SUNY offers athletic opportunities at all competition levels, from intramural and club sports to nationally ranked teams at several of its campuses, providing communities with the opportunity to attend high-quality and engaging athletic competitions throughout New York State.
"SUNY campuses throughout New York State host thrilling sports programs that inspire students and build community spirit," SUNY Chancellor King said. "I congratulate the women's lacrosse teams at the State University of New York at Albany and the State University of New York at Stony Brook for their excellent seasons, and for earning spots in the 2026 NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championship Tournament, and the SUNY Cortland and the SUNY Farmingdale State College women's lacrosse teams on earning a spot in the Division III Championship Tournament. SUNY student athletes are examples of how our students pursue academic excellence in the classroom, and outstanding achievements in their extracurricular programs."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "We are thrilled to celebrate the State University of New York at Albany and the State University of New York at Stony Brook women's lacrosse teams for earning spots in the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament, and the SUNY Cortland and the SUNY Farmingdale State College women's lacrosse teams on earning a spot in the Division III Championship Tournament. These SUNY students help inspire their campuses, the surrounding communities, and all of New York State. Congratulations on this achievement, and good luck on the field."
On Sunday, May 3, the State University of New York at Albany women's lacrosse team secured its second-straight America East Tournament title, defeating the University of Vermont and securing a spot in the NCAA tournament. The team will face off against Johns Hopkins University in the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship on Friday, May 8.
On Saturday, May 2, the State University of New York at Stony Brook women's lacrosse team defeated Towson University to claim its fourth-straight Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) title, earning a spot in the 2026 NCAA tournament for the 13th time. The team will face off against Stonehill College in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, May 8.
On Saturday, May 2, the SUNY Cortland women's lacrosse team defeated SUNY Oswego to claim the team's 25th all-time State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) title, securing a spot in the 2026 NCAA tournament. The team will face off against Colby College in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, May 9.
On Saturday, May 2, the SUNY Farmingdale State College women's lacrosse team defeated Merchant Marine College in the Skyline Championship Final, securing its spot in the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship. The team will face off against The College of Wooster on Saturday, May 9.
State University of New York at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, "The entire University at Albany community is so proud of our women's lacrosse team for winning their second-straight America East Tournament title. Athletics are vital to our university, creating a sense of belonging and pride among our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community. These champion student-athletes are a shining example of the Great Dane spirit. I congratulate the team on their conference win and wish them great success in the NCAA Championship Tournament!"
State University of New York at Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said, "We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2026 Stony Brook Women's Lacrosse team whose CAA championship has brought great pride to our entire community. Our women's lacrosse team is a premiere Division 1 powerhouse that has a 13-year NCAA Tournament streak and has earned consistent national rankings showcasing their undeniable talent and commitment. They are exceptional examples of what it means to be student-athletes at Stony Brook, and I am incredibly inspired by their hard work, discipline, team spirit, and amazing performances. I am grateful for the extraordinary leadership of head coach Joe Spallina whose commitment to a team-driven winning culture continues to elevate our team's accomplishments and excellence. Go Seawolves!"
SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum said, "Our women's lacrosse team is one of many that have made SUNY Cortland proud during the past year. Student-athlete success is part of our institutional DNA at SUNY Cortland, as evidenced by the university's 14 conference championships so far in 2025-26. We look forward to cheering on our women's lacrosse team and several other Red Dragon teams in NCAA competition throughout the spring."
Farmingdale State College President Robert S. Prezant said, "Our student athletes have surpassed every expectation, on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. We'll be cheering on our women's lacrosse team, under the formidable direction of Coach Erin Calkins, as they enter the First Round of the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship in York, PA. Go Rams!"
SUNY provides athletic opportunities for all students at all competition levels, including nationally ranked NCAA, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) sports teams. With this, SUNY ensures that students and community members have access to high-quality and engaging competitions.
SUNY has over 85 NCAA Division I, 290 NCAA Division III, and 385 NJCAA athletic teams, and hundreds of non-competitive athletic clubs. SUNY also has one of the oldest small college athletic conferences in the United States, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), consisting of 10 full members and 10 associate members competing in the conference. As part of his ongoing efforts to celebrate and highlight SUNY sports programs around the state, Chancellor King attended a women's lacrosse game between SUNY Cortland and SUNY Potsdam in March, and a men's basketball game between the State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Binghamton in January. Additionally, Chancellor King cheered SUNY alumni who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics including Katie Kranze Million, SUNY Oswego '91; Nick Jensen, SUNY Plattsburgh '14; and Kelsey O'Driscoll, SUNY Adirondack '19.
To learn more about SUNY athletics and find a sporting event near you, visit: https://www.suny.edu/attend/athletics/.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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