Washington and Lee was one of the founding members of the Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1900, as well as the Division I Southern Conference in 1921.

In 1988, the men's tennis team won the NCAA Division III National Championship title.

In 2007, the women's tennis team claimed the NCAA Division III National Championship title.

Washington and Lee participated in seven NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship tournaments: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980.

Since 1987, Washington and Lee have won twelve Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Lacrosse Championships: 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2016, 2019, and 2023.

Washington and Lee have participated in fifteen NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship tournaments: 1987, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.

W&L had a 28 game regular season winning streak and had not lost at home in three years at the time.

The Classic was held every spring as part of the main lacrosse season until 2007 when it moved to the fall as an exhibition game.

Since 2022, the game has been held as a scrimmage and has been part of the HEADstrong Fall Events Series hosted by VMI.

The rivalry is fueled by a long history of competition; conference affiliation, and geography also plays a role in this rivalry as both schools are charter members of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and are located about 50 miles from each other along Interstate 81.