MAAC Website
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and UDM Director of Athletics
Keri Gaither announced today that the Detroit Titans men’s lacrosse program has been accepted as an affiliate member of the MAAC Lacrosse League, beginning with the 2010 season.
“I am excited about the University of Detroit Mercy's men's lacrosse program becoming an affiliate member of the MAAC,” said Gaither. “The MAAC has a rich tradition of athletic and academic excellence by all of its member institutions and these factors were extremely important to the Detroit Titans athletic program as we looked for a good conference fit. I am proud that our men's lacrosse team will be a part of the MAAC tradition.”
“This is great for our program to compete in the MAAC,” said head men’s coach
Matt Holtz. “The conference will provide us with a very competitive environment where we can compete for an opportunity to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament.”
UDM will be immediately eligible for post-season play next season, with the winner of the conference tournament earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Currently, the MAAC Lacrosse League is composed of Canisius, Manhattan, Marist, Mount St. Mary’s, Saint Joseph’s, Siena, Virginia Military Institute and Wagner.
Siena was the MAAC’s regular season champion in 2009, finishing the year at 12-6, 8-0 in the conference. The Saints then won the conference tournament advancing to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, where they fell to the No. 1 team in the nation and the No. 2 seeded team in the tournament Syracuse in the first round, 11-4.
“Being a member of this league is also a great competitive opportunity for the Titan program and student-athletes in allowing us to have a strong and consistent schedule,” added Gaither.
The Titans played one MAAC team in their inaugural season falling to Manhattan, 14-9, on a neutral field at Joe Walton Stadium on the campus of Robert Morris University. Five of the six Titans who scored a goal in that contest are slated to return next season as well as junior goalie
Vince Diana, who made 13 saves in the game.