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January 31, 2008

URI adding women's lacrosse, dropping gymnastics

The University of Rhode Island is adding women's lacrosse to its lineup of varsity sports and dropping gymnastics. The Rams will begin play in the Atlantic 10 Conference in the spring of 2010.

Thorr Bjorn, director of athletics, cited the "explosive growth" of high school lacrosse and URI's club team as motivating factors. He said in a statement that the lacrosse roster will have 28 players, an increase of seven over the current gymnastics roster of 21.

The Atlantic 10 and the NCAA sponsor women's lacrosse as a championship sport. URI will join Duquesne, George Washington, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Sainnt Joseph's, St. Bonaventur and Temple. URI will begin searchinig for a coach on July 1, and the program will start with the fall semester of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Tthe A-10 does not sponsor gymnastics.

Bjorn said URI will honor its athletic scholarships to current gymnasts and commitments made to students who signed a National Letter of Intent. He also pledged the school's assistance to those who want to transfer.

The URI women's lacrosse team will play its home games in Meade Stadium.

Posted by Mike Szostak  at 12:29 PM to College Sports | Permalink

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