Lynn University Fighting Knights adds women's track program
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lynn University Director of Athletics Devin Crosby today announced the addition of women's track as an NCAA Division II Fighting Knights athletic program. This marks the first sport expansion since Lynn added lacrosse in 2012, and it increases the number of NCAA varsity sports sponsored by the university to 15—nine women and six men's programs.
"Lynn experienced quick success in its most recent sports expansions, with three NCAA individual championships in swimming and national rankings for lacrosse," said Crosby. "Complementing our established women's cross country program, women's track is a natural fit for the Fighting Knights and helps advance our student athletes' competitiveness."
Lynn's new women's cross country coach Chris Wood will lead the women's track program, which will begin NCAA long distance competition during the 2017–18 championship season.
"Chris, who developed two highly competitive collegiate track and field programs in his career, understands higher education, sport performance and leadership. Furthermore, his advanced style and background are aligned with the Fighting Knights' mission of spirit, service and strength," added Crosby.
Over the past four years, the Fighting Knights expanded to include women's track, men's lacrosse, women's swimming and women's cross country. Men's lacrosse reached the Sunshine State Conference Championships in its second year of existence, women's swimming won three individual national championships and cross country sent a runner to the NCAA regionals in three of the last four years.
"There are few things in college sports as exciting as building a new team culture, and I am thrilled to add women's track to Lynn's extensive athletics program," said Wood. "South Florida's well-known strength in track makes it an ideal location for recruits. I will be looking across the country for runners who are excited to take part in our holistic focus and year-round training, as we build another successful Fighting Knights program."
With the scheduled addition of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Palm Beach Atlantic University as full members to the SCC 2017–18, Lynn will become the eighth school in the SSC with women's track. It will join Florida Southern College, Florida Institute of Technology, Nova Southeastern University, Saint Leo University and Tampa University.
About the Fighting Knights
Lynn University's national champion Fighting Knights compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, tennis, softball, soccer, swimming and volleyball. The university's 14 intercollegiate teams are home to nearly 300 student athletes. Lynn is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution and winner of 23 national championships and 36 Sunshine State Conference titles. Representing spirit, service and strength, the Fighting Knights strive for greatness through athletic performance and academic excellence. For more information, visit lynnfightingknights.com.
Contact: Chad Beattie (561) 237-7341, [email protected]
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADLp7O1j0og&feature=youtu.be
SOURCE Lynn University
Share this article