Following three seasons of competing as a club team, Athletic Director Dr. Marilyn McNeil announced on March 8 that men’s lacrosse will now be the University’s 21st NCAA Division I sport with regular season competition starting in the spring of 2014.
“The final decision came about when the University was considering ways to increase male enrollment here on campus. We’ve been talking about trying to change the demographic here for a couple of years and we thought adding a varsity men’s sport was one way to do that,” said McNeil.
Getting the sport to become an official varsity team on campus took a lot of hard work from the team, especially sophomore president Mike Fedele and vice president Ryan Gergely.
“I’m excited to see the growth of the sport on campus. Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports and to experience that at the Division 1 level is going to be great for Monmouth University,” said Fedele.
“To me, the feeling is bittersweet. I’m currently a junior and I will graduate in the spring of 2013, one year before the team is actually a Division 1 sport. That being said, I was instrumental in starting the club team here at Monmouth my freshman year so in a way it almost feels like myself and my fellow founders are leaving a legacy here at Monmouth from what we started and the success we have had,” said Gergely.
In their first year of competition as a club sport, there were 16 team members and they competed in eight games, while only winning one.
However in their second year, they were able to gain interest among first year students and the team was able to improve with the new members.The Hawks went 5-5 in their second year and just barely missed the playoffs.
This year is their third on campus and so far it has been their best. This past weekend they were able to knock-off an undefeated LaSalle squad 11-5.
Gergely credited the addition of coach Jerry Dohn to the team’s success this season.
“With his help, our level of play has increased tremendously, along with our discipline as a team. As a result of all of his help, we currently are 2-0 after blowout wins over division rivals Rutgers-Camden (12-2) and Rowan (17-4). I feel that the success that we have had played a role in showing the administration that the interest to have a team is here and that it could be beneficial to implement a Division 1 team.” said Gergely.
The team currently has 23 members, however just because one is a member of the club team does not necessarily mean they will be on the University team. According to Fedele, each member will have to try-out for the team in 2014. As of right now, Dohn will not be the coach of the Division 1 team as the University is actively searching for a head coach.
“The job just got posted so I’m hoping we’ll have someone named by the end of April or early May, but their job would not begin until July 1.” said McNeil.
Fedele and Gergely both seemed to be satisfied with their current coach. “Our first season with Jerry Dohn as our coach has been incredible. The team has really come together and played hard for each other as our success so far shows. We believe in each other, which is something that coach has stressed from day one and we’ve become a lot more confident as a team since September. We have a lot of potential and the sky is the limit for us right now with him as our coach,” said Fedele.
The NEC currently has six men’s lacrosse team, who are currently in competition. This list includes inaugural champion Mount St. Mary’s, Bryant, Quinnipiac, Robert Morris, Wagner, and Sacred Heart. All a sport needs is six competitive teams in order to have a conference championship. The Hawks will become the seventh NEC team in the spring of 2014.
McNeil also said that at this moment in time the University does not plan on bringing in any other sport, but it is possible that another one could be added down the road. When any sport is about Lacrosse continued from pg. 1 to be officially added to the list of sports here on campus they must first have a competitive club team in order to be bumped up to a varsity sport.
The Ice Hawks are one of the other club sports on campus, but in order for them to officially become a sport it would take a great deal more than lacrosse. For example, the University currently does not have a big enough budget for the sport and men’s ice hockey is currently not a varsity NEC sport. However, it is always possible things could change down the road.
For now, the members of the men’s lacrosse club team can feel good and take pride in what they have accomplished.
Fedele said, “I’m looking forward to seeing how much more the program will develop in the years following the move to Division 1. I’m confident that the team will become a powerhouse in the Northeast Conference and give students and alumni another sport to be proud of.”
“Having men’s lacrosse come to Monmouth at the Division 1 level is a great thing that I’m surprised took this long to happen. Lacrosse as a sport is growing, especially in this area. Monmouth sits between two huge lacrosse areas, Long Island and Philadelphia,” said Gergely. “I feel that by bringing a Division 1 team here, Monmouth will be able to recruit amazing players that can truly help the team succeed in coming years. It has the ability to bring a strong fan base to get support at games and school spirit. I personally will not hesitate to come back in future years to watch games.”
PHOTOS COURTESY of Ryan Gergely
PHOTO COURTESY of goagame.com
