RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls announces it will be adding women's lacrosse as its 17th varsity sport, with the first team set to compete in the 2018-19 academic year.
UWRF will become the first public institution in the area to sponsor women's lacrosse as a varsity sport in any of the NCAA's three divisions. Currently there are 282 Division III institutions that sponsor women's lacrosse, including approximately 30 in the Upper Midwest.
"We have been exploring the possibility of adding women's lacrosse for a number of years," said Crystal Lanning, interim athletic director. "Given the growth of girls and women's lacrosse in the area and our recent facility renovations, the timing was right to make the move and we will be well positioned to produce a highly competitive team."
A search for a full-time head coach will be initiated in the coming weeks, with the position starting in 2017-18 to allow a full-year to recruit, build a competitive schedule and purchase equipment. The team will practice and compete at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field on the UW-River Falls campus.
For more information, email the Athletic Department at athletics@uwrf.edu
