Fairfield to Join CAA in Men’s Lacrosse in 2015

RICHMOND, Va. (June 18, 2013) – The Colonial Athletic Association announced on Tuesday that the Fairfield University men’s lacrosse program will join the CAA as an associate member. The Stags will begin CAA competition in 2015 with the University of Delaware, Drexel University, Hofstra University, the University of Massachusetts, St. Joseph’s University and Towson University.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Fairfield’s men’s lacrosse program to our league,” said CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager. “The Stags have built a tradition of success on the field and in the classroom that will strengthen the caliber and character of our conference. We are excited for them to begin competition in 2015.”

Fairfield completed its eighth season as a member of the ECAC Lacrosse League in 2013 and will compete alongside the Air Force Academy, Bellarmine University, Hobart College, the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University in 2014. The Stags went 8-7 in 2013 and played in the ECAC Tournament for the third time in as many seasons.

“The landscape of Division I lacrosse has been evolving rapidly and we are pleased to be joining the CAA,” said Fairfield Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris. “The prospect of aligning with these like-minded institutions is a tremendous opportunity to have our lacrosse program compete at the highest national level.”

The Stags have won a combined 20 games over the past two seasons, compiling a program-best 12-4 mark in 2012. Fairfield has spent 16 weeks in the USILA national poll over the last two seasons, climbing as high as No. 13 in both seasons. In head coach Andy Copelan’s five years at the helm, the Stags have gone 43-31 and have finished .500 or better every season, the program’s longest such stretch. Included in those victories is the program’s first-ever win over a No. 1 ranked team – a 10-9 victory over Denver this spring – and a 10-8 win over then ranked No. 3 Notre Dame in 2010.

This past season, the CAA sent a pair of squads in nationally ranked Penn State and league champion Towson to the 2013 NCAA Championship. The league has had multiple teams selected to the NCAA Championship in four of the last five seasons.