WEST HARTFORD, CONN. – University of Hartford Director of Athletics Anton Goff announced today that the University will add the sport of women's lacrosse for the 2017-18 season and will discontinue its men's and women's tennis programs at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. The actions are a result of an examination of Hartford's budget, fundraising, and facilities alongside of trends in intercollegiate athletics since Goff became Director of Athletics in May 2014.

"Women's lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation," Goff said. "Seven schools in the America East Conference already have teams and we are committed to being successful competitors in our conference. Our goal in adding women's lacrosse is to move to full compliance with Title IX."

Goff's announcement was made after he met personally with third-year head tennis coach Victor Terranova and current tennis team members, which totals 21 student-athletes. The tennis programs will be discontinued at the end of competition in the spring of 2016. All student-athletes who have remaining eligibility at that time will be granted full releases should they want to transfer to other schools. Those who receive athletics financial aid will have their scholarships honored through their matriculation if they stay at the University of Hartford.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," Goff said. "I consulted with University leadership, our Athletics Committee of the Board of Regents, and other University department leaders. We value all of our student-athletes and coaches and what they contribute to Hartford Hawks athletics. However, with the challenges that weather presents in the Northeast and our current facilities, the financial commitment needed to be competitive on a national level is not feasible for us. We will do everything in our power as a department to help minimize the impact on the student-athletes affected by this decision."

Hartford plans to welcome its first class of women's lacrosse recruits in the fall of 2017 with the first season of competition planned for the 2018 spring season. A head coach is expected to be hired in July of 2016, giving the new staff ample time to recruit. The team will play its home contests on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium, the home of the Hartford men's lacrosse, men's soccer, and women's soccer programs.

With the addition of Hartford, all America East schools will have women's lacrosse except the University of Maine. Nationally, nine Division I schools started or announced their intent to add women's lacrosse programs between 2016 and 2018. There are over 100 women's lacrosse programs currently and it is one of the fastest growing sports among high school programs in the nation.

"We are committed to ensuring student-athletes have the best experience possible at the University of Hartford, from academics to facilities to athletics," Goff said. "As we continue in this new era of Hawks Athletics, I look forward to seeing Hawk Nation continue to grow toward being one of the top mid-major programs in the country."