From SGU Sports Info.
Brad Collins, Sports Information Director
SHAWNEE – St. Gregory’s athletic director John Martin announced Monday that the university is suspending operations for men’s lacrosse for at least the 2016-17 academic year. A review will be conducted to determine the long-term viability of the program.
Financial sustainability and retention numbers within the program were key factors considered in arriving at the decision, Martin said. SGU announced the addition of lacrosse as its 17th varsity sport in 2013 and just completed its second full season of competition.
“This was an extremely difficult call to make,” Martin said. “We seek to provide our student-athletes with a high-quality experience that includes enough resources and opportunities to put them in the best position for success, and in a short time, our lacrosse program has become very competitive.
“However, the upcoming year presented us with the challenge of maintaining an adequate roster. With such a young program in an area where the sport is not as widely promoted, we didn’t see another way around it.”
Scholarships for current lacrosse student-athletes will be honored through the 2016-17 academic year, should they choose to continue their education at SGU. Student-athletes who wish to transfer to a different institution will be granted a full release.
Cavalier head coach Bryan Seaman recently was hired to lead the lacrosse program at Indiana Tech. He guided SGU to a 14-5 mark in 2016, including a second-place finish in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season standings. SGU advanced to the Lone Star Alliance Division II championship game in 2015.
“I am very grateful to our players, Coach Seaman and Assistant Coach (Kevin) Mulvey for their hard work,” Martin said. “This decision is in no way a reflection of their efforts. I wish them the best as they move forward.”