Old Westbury, N.Y. – New York Institute of Technology Director of Athletics Duane Bailey, has announced that NYIT will add women's lacrosse to its intercollegiate athletics department as of June 3, 2016. The Bears will begin competition in the 2016-17 academic year, as a NCAA Division II member of the East Coast Conference.
"Today we celebrate the addition of women's lacrosse to our Bears Athletics family," Bailey said. "This exciting sport allows NYIT to expand women's athletics opportunities at the Division II level. Women's lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and participation here in the northeast and throughout the country. We are confident that Bears fans will enthusiastically support our new team as we build the program over the next several years."
A search for the program's head coach will begin immediately. Successful candidates will be responsible for all aspects of building and directing the lacrosse program at NYIT, including the recruitment of quality student-athletes and providing fundamental and advanced instruction of lacrosse techniques.
There are currently 116 schools that offer women's lacrosse at the Division II level, including eight from the East Coast Conference, in which the Bears will compete next season. Other ECC schools with lacrosse include LIU Post, Mercy, Molloy, St. Thomas Aquinas, Roberts Wesleyan, Queens (N.Y.), Bridgeport, and the District of Columbia.
Women's lacrosse is played in the spring and will share field time at President's Stadium with the NYIT men's lacrosse program. The addition will bring NYIT's number of intercollegiate sports to 13, including six men's and seven women's programs, plus cheerleading.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
