Friday, May 16, 2001

MORAVIAN TO ADD WOMEN'S LACROSSE

BETHLEHEM, PA --- Moravian College will add women's lacrosse as its 17^th varsity sport, beginning with the 2002-03 academic year.

"It is clear that lacrosse, on both the college and high school levels, is expanding (over 125 NCAA Division III schools offer women's lacrosse) and is a sport that will fit very well with our athletics program and the institution," Moravian College Director of Athletics & Recreation Paul Moyer stated.  "The interest from our current student population as well as a number of perspective student-athletes with lacrosse backgrounds is certainly a driving force behind this decision.  We want to be proactive in our promotion of sport programs that respond to student interest and assure that we accommodate the popularity and abilities of the outstanding student-athletes we attract.  Certainly the addition of women's lacrosse helps us do this."

Moravian has begun a search for a full-time head women's lacrosse and field hockey coach who will develop and kickoff the lacrosse program as well as continue to improve Moravian's field hockey program.  The coach will lead a club lacrosse team next spring prior to earning full varsity status in 2003.

The last sport Moravian added was women's soccer in 1994, which posted a 7-3 record in its debut season.  Moravian currently offers basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and indoor and outdoor track & field for both men and women; baseball, football and golf for men; and field hockey, softball and volleyball for women.

Moravian will become the 10^th school of 16 in the Middle Atlantic Conference to sponsor women's lacrosse.  The MAC currently earns one automatic berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.