Let's review: Lacrosse was started in order to prevent us from being separated from the BIG EAST powers like Syracuse and Notre Dame and to differentiate us from DePaul and Seton Hall in the old BIG EAST. It was really a good idea because it was done knowing there would be upheaval in conferences and we wanted to be closer to the East Coast schools who formed the heart of the conference. There were two other motives: 1) We wanted to be in the forefront of lacrosse growth across the country and in the Midwest in particular; and 2) lacrosse recruiting got us into the schools where we had been traditionally strong both in Illinois and on the east coast--a visibility factor. We started it and then, unfortunately, our Athletic Director was fired by our president--who hadn't even started his job. Cottingham, Broeker, Kliebhan and Fr. Wild all thought lacrosse was a wise move for a variety of reasons. Larry Williams didn't embrace it, for sure. He thought it was ill conceived, and it may seem that way now after the BIG EAST morphed into its current state. At the time it was a good move. I know Joe Amplo is very well thought of at MU and he has done an excellent job. It looks likes we are building a field house for lacrosse and soccer. I don't think it will be leaving MU any time soon.