Mount Mercy to add women's lacrosse in 2023-24

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy University has announced that women's lacrosse will become the 19th intercollegiate sport at the university and will open competition during the 2023-24 academic year. The search to hire a head coach to lead the program will begin immediately.

"Women's lacrosse is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports in the country and was recently added as an officially sponsored sport in the Heart of America Athletic Conference," said Nate Klein, vice president for student success. "We are excited to launch this program and be a partner to help grow interest in lacrosse throughout the community."

In 2021-22, a total of 41 NAIA institutions sponsored women's lacrosse, which just completed its second season as a championship sport within the association. Mount Mercy will be the seventh school in the Heart of America to offer the sport. The others include 2022 NAIA national champion Benedictine, Clarke, Culver-Stockton, Missouri Valley, William Penn, and St. Ambrose, who is an associate member of the league.

Women's lacrosse is the first addition to the athletic department since men's volleyball, competitive cheer, and competitive dance were added in 2016. The season is played out in the spring, with a schedule that runs from March-May.

"I can't wait to start competition for this exciting sport and am committed to building this program with success in mind," said Paul Gavin, director of athletics. "In adding women's lacrosse, we acquire a sport with explosive growth and popularity, one our fans will come to enjoy quickly."