Robert Morris (Ill.) to Add Men's Lacrosse in 2013
from press release
CHICAGO - Robert Morris University – Illinois has announced the addition of Men's Lacrosse as a varsity sport at its Chicago campus. Men's Lacrosse will begin collegiate competition in the spring of 2013 and will be competing in the MCLA along with other NAIA and NCAA institutions. The program will offer both academic and athletic scholarships to qualified student-athletes.
Robert Morris has assembled an experienced coaching staff beginning with the hiring of Drew Stevenson (LaFayette, NY) as the school's first Men's Lacrosse Head Coach. Stevenson comes to the Eagles having spent seven seasons at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois. During his time at Ignatius, he coached the program to three Chicago Metro League Conference championships, the Class B State title game twice, and won the Class B State title in 2009. Additionally while at Ignatius, he coached 23 1st team, 16 2nd team, and two Honorable Mention All-Conference players along with three Academic All-Americans. He spent the 2011 season launching the boy's lacrosse program at Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois. Stevenson also founded Chicago Youth Lacrosse in 2008 to provide youth lacrosse opportunities to downtown Chicago. Currently the CYL has over 500 players participating annually and offers programming for both boys and girls, kindergarten through 12th grade.
"I am thrilled to be part of the start of something special. In one of the world's greatest cities, Robert Morris will be poised to develop a great program on the field while our student-athletes grow intellectually, gain valuable real world insight, and explore new challenges. The commitment the administration has showed towards their athletic department as a whole bolds well for the men's lacrosse team and I look forward to the challenge ahead," Robert Morris University head coach Drew Stevenson said.
Stevenson also has hired Colin Ambler (Abington, PA) as his assistant coach. During his undergraduate tenure, he founded a competitive high school and youth travel organization in the Philadelphia suburbs and has grown it to be a regional mainstay. Through this experience, he has focused on the year-round development of over 150 players from ages 4th grade through high school. He also spent one year as assistant coach at Princeton University, working under head coach Chris Bates at the highest NCAA level.
"RMU Athletics is excited in the addition of Men's Lacrosse to the athletic portfolio of the institution. When many athletic departments are cutting funding to men's athletics, RMU stays true to its mission of providing athletic opportunities to our student body. Also finding a coach as experienced as Drew Stevenson insures that not only is there the opportunity to play men's lacrosse, but there is also the opportunity, and likelihood, to win national championships," Robert Morris University Associate Athletic Director Margaret O'Donnell said.
Coach Stevenson and his staff will be hosting an "Open House" on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Robert Morris University Chicago campus. Those interested in attending or have questions may contact Head Coach Drew Stevenson at 312-720-4295 or dstevenson@robertmorris.edu and can visit the Men's Lacrosse website at http://www.robertmorris.edu/athletics/menslacrosse/.
Robert Morris University - Illinois is a not-for-profit, accredited baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution, serving over 7000 students interested in getting an education in business, graphic arts, nursing and health care, culinary and computer studies at its main campus in Chicago, as well as at locations in Arlington Heights, DuPage, Elgin, Orland Park, Bensenville, Springfield, Peoria, Schaumburg and Lake County. For more information, call 800-762-5960 or visit the web site at www.robertmorris.edu.
