FROSTBURG, Md. - Frostburg State University will be adding men’s lacrosse as a varsity sport, with competition scheduled to begin in the spring of 2011. The FSU athletic department will hire a head coach in this spring, who will immediately begin to build the program.

Frostburg offered men’s lacrosse from 1970 to 1978. The women’s lacrosse team has been active since the 1960s.

“Not only is lacrosse an incredibly competitive sport for our students, but it is a great recruitment tool,” said FSU President Jonathan Gibralter. “The state of Maryland has a strong tradition in lacrosse, and adding men’s lacrosse to our athletic lineup will allow us to tap into a pool of students who would not otherwise consider Frostburg.”

Men's lacrosse is currently sponsored by 149 NCAA Division III institutions, including seven in the state of Maryland: Hood, Stevenson, Salisbury, McDaniel, St. Mary's, Goucher and Washington. The sport has also seen significant growth since 1981, when 70 teams competed at the DIII level. The number of student-athletes has also increased from 2,059 (81-82) to 5,135 last year.

“When we make a decision to add a sport, we always keep in mind the benefit to the institution and our students,” said FSU Athletic Director Troy Dell. “Lacrosse is a growing sport. We will be able to offer our student-athletes the Frostburg education and a highly competitive athletic experience."

The team will compete as an independent in the spring of 2011 and will play its home games at Bobcat Stadium.

With the addition of men's lacrosse, the Bobcats now boast a 21-sport athletic department with women's lacrosse, softball, baseball, men's tennis and track & field all competing in the spring.

For more information about FSU Athletics, visit www.frostburgsports.com. For more information about FSU, visit www.frostburg.edu or call the Office of Admissions at 301-687-4201.