July 28, 2011 - 6:45pm
Michigan men's lacrosse becomes eighth program to join ECAC
BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT
The Michigan men's lacrosse team is joining forces with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the Athletic Department announced Thursday. The Wolverines will be the eighth member of the conference.
According to the press release, Michigan "will be an affiliate member during the 2012 season and will become a full-fledged member in their second season (2013) in the ECAC." The fledgling varsity program will play a partial league schedule this first year, then a full slate of conference games in the program's second season.
“We're very excited about joining the ECAC,” Michigan coach John Paul said in the statement. “We wanted to find a way to incorporate the best rivalry in college sports into our conference schedule, so the ECAC was in our sights from day one because Ohio State was already a member. Top to bottom, the ECAC provides an opportunity to play an outstanding conference schedule against great programs. We feel like it's a perfect fit.”
Added Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon: “The ECAC lacrosse conference is competitive and balanced and we are thrilled to be accepted for membership. We plan to schedule as many of the league schools as possible for the upcoming season while understanding the challenges of scheduling competitions this late in the cycle.”
Michigan joins Ohio State, Air Force, Bellarmine, Fairfield, Hobart, Lloyola (Md.) and lacrosse powerhouse Denver as a member of the ECAC.
“Michigan will be an exceptional addition to the ECAC Lacrosse League. After having been one of the strongest club teams in the country,” ECAC Commissioner Rudy Keeling said in the press release. “Michigan is now committed to making its varsity men’s lacrosse team one of the best in the nation. The ECAC is excited to welcome the institution as our newest member.”
