The program was upgraded to varsity in 2019,[2] previously competing as a club team in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA).

The Utes are one of four current NCAA Division I men's lacrosse teams west of the Mississippi River, along with Air Force, Denver, and Lindenwood.

The westernmost team in NCAA Division I men's lacrosse by 400 miles,[5] Utah played its first varsity game against Vermont, losing 21–6.

[6] Jimmy Perkins scored the program's first goal in front of 3,215 fans in Utah Football's Rice–Eccles Stadium.

[7] Led by seven goals by Josh Stout in the following game, the Utes secured their first win in program history, defeating the Mercer Bears 13–9 in Salt Lake City.