DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle Director of Athletics John Phillips, has announced that Embry-Riddle will add men's and women's lacrosse to its intercollegiate athletics program. The Eagles will begin intercollegiate competition in lacrosse in 2017-18, which is projected to be ERAU's first season of full NCAA II membership.
 
"I'm really excited to announce the addition of these two new sports to our athletic program as part of our transition to NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference," Phillips said. "Lacrosse is a fast-paced, fan-friendly sport that I know will be a great addition to our athletic program here on the Daytona Beach campus. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation and we look forward to being part of that excitement and growth."
 
The search for the programs' first head coaches will get underway in the next few weeks. The candidates will begin work this summer and then have a full academic year to recruit in preparation for the Eagles' first intercollegiate lacrosse games in the spring of 2018.
 
The successful candidates will be responsible for all aspects of building and directing the lacrosse programs at Embry-Riddle, including the recruitment of quality student-athletes and providing fundamental and advanced instruction of lacrosse techniques and philosophy. The candidates' responsibilities will also include administration of all facets of the lacrosse programs, promotion of the program on campus and in the local community and mentorship of student-athletes with regard to life skills and preparation for life after their sport.
 
The men's program may not have to look far for prospective student-athletes to add to its roster as there is a thriving men's club program already established on campus. Phillips is optimistic that the new intercollegiate athletic lacrosse program will be able to build on the club's past success, and looks forward to building an equally successful women's program from the ground up.
 
Lacrosse is played in the spring and it is expected that ERAU's home lacrosse games will be played on the artificial turf field adjacent the ERAU Track & Field Complex.
 
The addition of lacrosse will give Embry-Riddle 19 intercollegiate sports, including nine men's and 10 women's programs, plus coed cheerleading.
 
Embry-Riddle will compete in the Sunshine State Conference in lacrosse. Other SSC schools with lacrosse include Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lynn, Rollins, Saint Leo and Tampa on the men's side, and Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Rollins, Saint Leo and Tampa in women's competition.