Lacrosse To Become Varsity Sport in Spring of 2015

Luigi59

Luigi59

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'bout time.

NEW LONDON, Conn.--The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Division of Athletics announced today that it will elevate the men’s and women’s club lacrosse teams to varsity status, effective with the 2014-15 academic year. The teams will compete officially for the first time as Division III intercollegiate squads playing in the NEWMAC Conference in the spring of 2015.

“This is a very significant stride for the CGA athletics program,” said Director of Athletics Tim Fitzpatrick. “It’s a great thing to be able to accommodate the interests and talents of so many cadets by bringing two very strong club programs to the varsity level. The popularity and growth of lacrosse both regionally and nationally in the recent past is very well documented. We look forward to the addition of the two lacrosse programs helping us attract more of our nation’s best and brightest student-athletes to the academy.”

The men’s lacrosse club was started by John Senyard (USCGA, Class of 1983), and competed for the first time in the spring of 1984. In 1989, having risen to the rank of Lieutenant, Senyard died tragically in an aircraft accident in Ihithi, Kenya.

The current edition of the men’s club team has enjoyed a historic season, advancing to the MCLA National Collegiate Lacrosse Championship for the first time. The Bears will play Sam Houston State today in the opening round of the MCLA tournament in Greenville, S.C. The MCLA is a national organization of non-NCAA, men's college lacrosse programs.

“The decision to elevate the men’s and women’s lacrosse programs from club status to the varsity NCAA Division III level is a dream come true,” men’s coach Gary Weller said. “Our players are extremely excited. The strong athletic and academic reputation of the NEWMAC and its member institutions is a great fit for both programs. As a coach, you couldn’t ask for better competition.”

Fran Shields, former Chair of the NCAA Division III Lacrosse Committee and Director of Athletics at Connecticut College, also was pleased to learn about lacrosse soon becoming a varsity sport for men and women at CGA.

“This is an exciting announcement for Coast Guard’s student-athletes, but just as exciting for the growth of the sport,” Shields commented. “Army, Navy and Air Force have been powers in lacrosse throughout the sport’s collegiate history. It’s great to see Coast Guard begin that same tradition.”
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This is great news! DS is a lacrosse player and will be applying for the USCGA in the fall for the class of 2018
 
Just because it was/is a club sport doesn't mean they weren't playing other colleges--they were, and had a great season (11-2 overall, and 4-0 in the conference).

In fact, they're playing today (in the Sweet 16 round of the MCLA National Championships) against Sam Houston State.

http://mcla.us/national_tournament/2013/2/

Go Bears.
 
Coast Guard players savor 'last hurrah'

On a sun-splashed, breezy Tuesday afternoon at Wenwood Park, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy lacrosse team had a singular focus: scoring more goals than St. Thomas and advancing in the MCLA Division II national championships.

They were as unburdened as they have been in their college careers – and perhaps for years to come.

Coast Guard coach Gary Weller stresses three priorities to his team – family, academics and lacrosse, in that order. Add in the unique demands of a service academy, including the mandatory five-year post-graduation service requirement, and this has been a special trip for the Bears – especially for the 13 seniors who will begin their commitments shortly after next week’s graduation.

An 18-8 loss to No. 1 seed St. Thomas did little to diminish that feeling.

“They’re living the time of their lives,” Weller said. “This is what they’re going to remember for the rest of their lives. They’re getting support from admirals on down, seeing pictures taken in front of the Capitol with lacrosse sticks, helicopters, boats in Kodiak Bay. This is different. It’s awesome.”

This is the Coast Guard’s first MCLA appearance since its formation in 1984. Conflicts with the academy’s graduation date kept the Bears out of the tournament in 2010 and 2011, making this trip all the more special.

“This is the ultimate success for our program,” said senior midfielder Steven Danseglio. “It’s something we’ve been working on for four years. It’s a success not just for our school but for the whole service. We have service-wide support.”

The Coast Guard is the smallest U.S. service academy, with only 960 students attending the New London, Conn., campus. Senior attacker Austin English says he knows the first names and most of the hometowns of everyone in his class.

“I can stomp my foot, and 10 seconds later they’ll feel it across campus,” Weller said.

It’s not for everyone. Assistant coach Dan Ursino – who is also the school’s assistant dean of academics and a civil engineering professor – says players are required to take 15-18 credit hours per semester, and players spoke of early mornings and late nights balancing academics, athletics and military commitments. Time management is crucial.
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As a player on the team, we can proudly say that we are very pleased with our season and all the support from alumni and onlookers. We got to the Quarterfinals down at Nationals before being bested by the 1 seed, but overall, it was the best season that the program has ever had. Next year will be a transition year (MCLA and NCAA teams will be played) and we are looking forward to it! :thumb:
 
SamKrak said:
As a player on the team, we can proudly say that we are very pleased with our season and all the support from alumni and onlookers. We got to the Quarterfinals down at Nationals before being bested by the 1 seed, but overall, it was the best season that the program has ever had. Next year will be a transition year (MCLA and NCAA teams will be played) and we are looking forward to it! :thumb:
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What an awesome life! ...from what your coach says: family, academics and lacrosse.:shake:
 
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