In 1976 Northern Illinois University started its first and only Men's Lacrosse Club. The team had meager beginnings, starting out with only the required amount of players to field a team and hand-me-down Football Jersey's to wear as uniforms. Since then, the oldest club sport at NIU has grown into a strong program. The team plays in the GLLL (Great Lakes Lacrosse League) and competes against Big 10 and Big East schools. Playing in this league gives players, who have demanding academic and other personal obligations, the chance to play in a competitive league that is made to reduce travel costs and unnecessarily long road trips. In past years the NIU Lacrosse Club has reached new heights, from placing 4th in the GLLL and having the top ranked defense in the league in 2011 to finishing as Chicago Conference Champions in 2012.