UM Athletics to Add Women's Lacrosse

Nov. 16, 2004

Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami Athletic Department will add women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport beginning in the spring of 2007 it was announced today.

Plans call for the hiring of a head coach next summer with that person beginning recruiting immediately and the first scholarship athletes entering school in the fall of 2006.

“In the past 10 years, we have expanded opportunities for women with the addition of soccer in 1998, volleyball in 2001 and now lacrosse in 2007”, Athletic Director Paul Dee said. “It is gratifying that we have been able to add 36 full athletic scholarships with these three sports. Additionally, funding for rowing has increased by 20 scholarships and women’s track has increased from six to 18 during that time. Everyone in the athletic department takes great pride in the fact that all of our women’s athletic programs are fully funded as allowed by the NCAA.”

With the addition of lacrosse, the Hurricanes will field women’s teams in 11 sports with the others being basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has a rich tradition in women’s lacrosse with four teams finishing among the top 12 teams nationally last year including NCAA champion Virginia. Even more impressive is the fact that six of the last eight championships have been won by an ACC school.