Chico's new CIF lacrosse teams to enhance school sports in 2027

The CUSD School Board voted 4–1 at the October 2 meeting in favor of adding Boys’/Girls’ CIF Varsity Lacrosse at Pleasant Valley and Chico High Schools for the 2026–27 school year. This decision culminates 2.5 years of work by countless community members, local businesses, parents, current and former players, coaches, statewide organizations, and even national organizations.

Twenty-seven years ago, Brian Kehoe started Chico Rebels Lacrosse so his son would have a place to play. Since then, our local club has become a staple of the community. Last night, the Chico Unified Board of Trustees took action not only to secure the future of lacrosse locally but also to ensure that generations of kids will have the opportunity to play for their high schools.

While we’ll take this weekend to celebrate, the real work now begins. Both high schools’ athletic directors and administrative staffs are already stretched thin, and our booster clubs are working hard to support existing teams. As always, lacrosse must step up—not only to create these new programs but also to strengthen the overall athletic communities at Pleasant Valley and Chico High. We have always believed that adding lacrosse is truly an addition to our community. Now it’s time to show the larger community what lacrosse and its people are all about.

We will soon begin our full fundraising efforts, as we must raise 100% of the costs for each program. We have no doubt the lacrosse community—and the community as a whole—will rise to this challenge, and we will be reaching out with a list of ways to support the programs.

In the meantime, let's celebrate this victory for our community and kids! 

To LEARN MORE, follow Friends of Chico Lacrosse on Instagram and/or Facebook and check out our website HERE

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CHICO, Calif. - Hogan Brown, director of Friends of Chico Lacrosse, spearheaded the movement to bring lacrosse under the CIF umbrella. He has worked tirelessly alongside his son, Oliver Brown, a current Chico Rebel and Sacramento Aces midfielder.

"The beauty of lacrosse and bringing lacrosse to this community is that it’s an inclusive sport. It’s a new sport. Every kid...has been that kid at practice holding the cross stick for the first time," Hogan Brown said.

"That creates this welcomeness to the sport because everybody’s been the new kid." Oliver Brown shared his excitement about the decision. "It would make it so exciting to go and represent your school, and it’s something I always looked forward to. It would be just great to know that's possible and that I would get to do that," Oliver Brown said.
Lacrosse already has a strong presence in Chico, with the Chico Rebels having a 25-year history in the sport. Their high school program will transition to CIF in 2026, and youth teams will now feed into the new high school programs.

The annual cost for each school to support the sport is approximately $8,500. The first season for both schools is set to begin in January 2027.