BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University Senior Vice President for Administration Gregory Malfitano has announced the addition of men’s lacrosse as a NCAA Division II athletic program at Lynn.  This will be the third sport expansion for the Fighting Knights in the last nine months and will increase the total number of NCAA varsity sports sponsored by the University to 14; eight women and six men. “Sport expansion is part of Lynn University’s overall strategic plan,” said Malfitano.  “We have already added women’s swimming and women’s cross country and this is the next piece of the puzzle.  It is a very exciting time because more and more opportunities have now opened up for student-athletes.  Already lacrosse players are spearheading a new program and a new stadium.  What more excitement could you ask for then by adding a new sport and stadium in the same year?” The men’s lacrosse program is slated to begin NCAA competition during the 2014 championship season and will take the field at the newly announced Robert (“Bobby”) Campbell Stadium.   A national search is underway to identify head coaches for each sport. “As a former lacrosse player, I am particularly excited about the addition of men’s lacrosse to our roster of teams,” President Dr. Kevin M. Ross added.  “Our championship athletics program and talented student-athletes have always been points of pride for our university, and we look forward to expanding our offerings through the adoption of this growing sport.” Lynn joins 46 NCAA Division II schools in sponsoring varsity men’s lacrosse, including five Sunshine State Conference schools, Saint Leo, Tampa, Florida Southern, Rollins and Florida Tech.  With Lynn’s addition and the approval by the member President’s in late November, the SSC would officially adopt men’s lacrosse as a conference sport for the 2014 season.  Previously, league members participated in the Deep South Conference in lacrosse. Lynn reinstated women’s cross country and added women’s swimming on February 1, 2012, with both teams competing in 2012-13.  Prior to adding three teams in nine months, LU’s last sport expansion was in over a decade with the addition of men’s and women’s rowing on September 1, 1999. For more information about the program or how to join the inaugural team, please visit our website at LynnFightingKnights.com.