TOWSON, Md. – Under normal times, being the neutral site host of an NCAA Championship is an honorable and challenging commitment.  And the COVID-19 pandemic makes everything tougher.  This past weekend, the Towson University athletics department pulled off the 2021 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship Weekend at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
 
Towson had been slated to host the 2021 Championship Weekend since it was announced by the NCAA in 2017.  Towson would be hosting the women's lacrosse national championship for the fifth time since 2008, but no one knew then the challenges that would come with the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Towson University athletics staff, spearheaded by Deputy AD Tricia Turley Brandenburg and Assistant AD for Facilities and Event Management Davon Robb, spent many months preparing for the event, including multiple meetings through Zoom and phone calls, to confirm all details and create an exciting event while still following COVID-19 protocols to make it as safe as possible.  Towson worked with the university, the NCAA, ESPN, the four teams in attendance and many more to make Championship Weekend run.
 
"Hosting the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship was a great opportunity for Towson to shine," said Tricia Turley Brandenburg.  "Thanks to our great staff and volunteers for making this event so successful, especially in an unusual year.  It was great to feel the energy of a crowd in Unitas again and I know we're all looking forward to that continuing this fall."
 
"It was a privilege and an honor to host the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship here at Johnny Unitas® Stadium and to showcase what makes our campus such a special place," said Davon Robb. "Thank you to everyone who played a part in providing a great experience for the teams, fans, and guests that were in attendance.  Congratulations to Boston College on winning the national championship, and also congratulations to UNC, Northwestern, and Syracuse on making it to the Final Four.  Competing and/or working through a pandemic wasn't easy, but this competition season was a testament to the work and dedication of everyone involved."
 
The Championship Weekend games were the first to hold 50% capacity of Unitas Stadium since the pandemic began, keeping with regulations from the state, county and university.  The biggest crowd at Towson since the pandemic shut down collegiate sports in March 2020 was the men's lacrosse season finale vs. Drexel, which drew 824 fans on May 1, 2021. 
 
Thanks to the efforts of FanSummit, the NCAA and Towson staff, Towson had 50% capacity sellouts on both days, including 5,405 fans for the title game on Sunday.  Over 10,000 fans combined came during the two days.  Millions of others watched on ESPNU and followed the action along social media for some of the best teams in women's lacrosse.
 
Several protective measures were made to keep all parties safe.  Team travel parties were kept separate as much as possible from other individuals while around the stadium.  Staff in indoor and working areas wore masks.
 
Media access also was different for the weekend.  All interviews by the media were done via Zoom and were accessible from across the country.  A NCAA tiered system allowed photographers access to the field while staying a safe distance away from team personnel.  Helping in the press box included current and former Towson media relations members plus staff from UMBC, Centenary, St. Francis (Pa.), CCBC Essex and World Lacrosse.
 
As a result of Championship Weekend, Unitas Stadium got to be part of women's lacrosse history.  4-seed Boston College won its first-ever women's lacrosse national championship, defeating 3-seed Syracuse 16-10.  BC's Tewaaraton finalist attack, Charlotte North, set the Division I record with 102 career goals, scoring six in the final game.  Boston College defeated then-undefeated North Carolina to reach the title game while Syracuse took down then-undefeated Northwestern to advance to the Sunday championship contest.
 
Towson will be serving as a host for the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinal in 2024.  This was Towson's fifth time hosting the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship Weekend, having also hosted in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2014.