LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — High school lacrosse is coming to Southern Nevada this school year after all.
The Clark County School District and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs professional lacrosse team announced a joint agreement Friday to bring boys’ and girls’ lacrosse to nine high schools for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, reversing a decision made earlier in the week to pause the sport’s rollout.
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Under the newly collaborated plan, CCSD and the Desert Dogs will work together to recruit coaches and lower participation costs for student-athletes.
The program will launch at nine high schools that had previously expressed interest in fielding teams for the spring 2027 season.
“The Clark County School District and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs support the expansion of athletic opportunities for our students and families,” CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert and Desert Dogs Chief Business Officer Jonah Haas said in a joint statement.
The announcement marks a major shift from Tuesday, when CCSD officials stated they were pushing back the official launch of varsity lacrosse to the 2027-2028 school year to build district-wide interest and capacity.
That decision drew disappointment from the Desert Dogs, who noted that lacrosse was sanctioned as an official varsity sport by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) following a directive from Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Rather than waiting another year, the new compromise ensures that student-athletes at the nine pilot schools can begin competing this spring.
The partnership builds upon a relationship established in 2023.
Through their joint “Sticks for Success” program, the Desert Dogs and CCSD have previously provided equipment and introduced the game to thousands of elementary and middle school students throughout Southern Nevada.
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