BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University has announced that it will add the intercollegiate sport of lacrosse with a men's team beginning competition in the spring of 2014 and the women's team opening the following spring.
“Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the Midwest and is an emerging sport among College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schools,” said IWU athletic director Dennie Bridges. “Offering lacrosse gives a significant number of high school students another reason to consider attending Illinois Wesleyan.”
Bridges indicates that a search for a men's lacrosse coach will begin immediately with a similar search for a women's coach scheduled to begin next spring. Lacrosse home games will be played at Tucci Stadium.
Currently, four CCIW schools - Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst and North Central - offer lacrosse for men or women or both genders.
The number of high school lacrosse players more than doubled in the last decade and 21 states now host championships, including Illinois, effective last year.
Illinois Wesleyan currently sponsors 20 varsity sports.
Go here to read more about Illinois Wesleyan's addition of men's and women's lacrosse.