University of Richmond Athletics
SoCon Adds Air Force As Men's Lacrosse Member
10/14/2014 | Men's Lacrosse
“The addition of the Air Force Academy will make us a stronger, deeper lacrosse league,” Iamarino said. “There has been great cooperation by all parties to bring this about. We're very pleased to provide a conference home for Air Force lacrosse beginning in 2016.”
Air Force, currently an independent, will bring the SoCon's men's lacrosse membership to eight in 2016. The league will sponsor lacrosse for the first time this season, with full members Furman, Mercer and VMI joined by associate members Bellarmine, High Point, Jacksonville and Richmond.
Furman, High Point, Jacksonville, Mercer, Richmond and VMI competed under the Atlantic Sun Conference banner in 2014, with the Spiders taking the first and only championship, earning the league's bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The addition of the Falcons to the SoCon will reunite Air Force with Bellarmine, both of whom played in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Lacrosse League from 2010 until it dissolved after last season.
“The warm reception we received from the Southern Conference and Commissioner Iamarino made it obvious that our lacrosse program had found the perfect home,” Air Force Athletic Director Dr. Hans Mueh said. “We are honored to be invited to join the conference in 2016 and will do our best to represent the Air Force Academy and the Southern Conference in NCAA lacrosse competition.”
Air Force went 11-6 last season and made its first NCAA appearance since 1988.
