Sports News: Winter 2001-02

Tuesday, January 22, 2002

MORAVIAN ADDING MEN'S LACROSSE AS 18TH SPORT

BETHLEHEM, PA --- Moravian College will add men's lacrosse as its 18th 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 127 NCAA Division III schools offer men'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."

Moravian will begin a search for a full-time head men's lacrosse and assistant football coach who will develop and kickoff the lacrosse program as well as assist Moravian's football squad.  Moravian will have a club lacrosse team this spring prior to moving to varsity status in 2003.

The Bethlehem school will also be adding women's lacrosse as a varsity sport 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 11TH school of 16 in the Middle Atlantic Conference to sponsor men's lacrosse.  The MAC currently earns one automatic berth in men's lacrosse to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.