JU starting lacrosse teams in '09-10

McCord will be the women's coach; a men's coach isn't picked yet.

By Jeff Elliott, The Times-Union
4/24/08

Jacksonville University will add men's and women's lacrosse as varsity sports, beginning in the spring of the 2009-10 academic year.

"Lacrosse is a growing sport, and we look forward to being a part of its expansion in the Southeast," JU president Kerry Romesburg said in a statement released by the school. "We believe this will generate interest in our institution and help bring awareness of JU to a wider audience."

Mindy McCord will serve as the women's head coach and director of lacrosse until a men's coach is hired. She's currently the women's lacrosse coach at Nease High School and also is the co-founder of Lax Maniax, which has helped promote the growth of women's lacrosse in Florida.

"I can't thank JU enough for the opportunity to build these programs from the ground up," McCord said. "The visionary leadership will pay tremendous dividends to the school and to the thousands of youth and high school lacrosse players in Florida and the Southeast."
Lacrosse increases the number of varsity teams sponsored by JU to 20. It will be the only Division I school in Florida to sponsor men's lacrosse and joins the University of Florida as the only schools to offer D-I women's lacrosse.

"Lacrosse is a wonderful opportunity for Jacksonville University," JU athletic director Alan Verlander said. "All of our athletic programs are building success, and I believe lacrosse will be no different. Starting two programs from the infancy will be a fun challenge, and I believe we have the right leadership in place to build success."

Of the 84 D-I schools that offered lacrosse in 2008, 75 are in the Southern or Eastern United States.

Verlander indicated that JU will seek an affiliate membership in a league based on the East Coast because the Atlantic Sun Conference doesn't offer a men's or women's lacrosse championship.