ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) welcomes Webber International University as an affiliate member for the sport of men’s lacrosse beginning with the 2020-21 season.
Located in Babson Park, Fla., Webber International was approved for affiliate membership by the AAC Council of Presidents at its spring meeting at the end of May.
“We are pleased to welcome Webber International’s new men’s lacrosse team to the AAC,” said AAC Commissioner John Sullivan. “We anticipate that as the Warriors build their new program, they will benefit from the high level of competition found here in the AAC. This is an exciting sport that continues to grow not only in our league but across the nation. We are proud to be competitive leaders in the sport not only on the men’s side but also the women’s.”
Webber International is the first institution from the state of Florida to be a part of the AAC.
With the addition of Webber International, the AAC will have eight teams competing in men’s lacrosse and 10 in women’s lacrosse. Participating in men’s lacrosse will be Cumberlands, Montreat, Point, Reinhardt, SCAD Savannah, St. Andrews, and Tennessee Wesleyan.
The 2020-21 season is the inaugural campaign for the Warriors.
“Joining the AAC for men’s lacrosse is the perfect fit for Webber as we kick off our first season next Spring,” said Webber International Athletic Director Darren Richie. “Thank you to AAC Commissioner John Sullivan for supporting our growth and making this a smooth transition.”
Currently, Webber International sponsors 23 intercollegiate athletic programs and competes primarily as a member of The Sun Conference.
The AAC now has 16 full members and five affiliate members. The conference membership is spread out over eight states with the full members being Allen (S.C.), Bluefield (Va.), Brenau (Ga.), Bryan (Tenn.), Columbia (S.C.), Columbia International (S.C.), Kentucky Christian, Milligan (Tenn.), Montreat (N.C.), Point (Ga.), Reinhardt (Ga.), SCAD Atlanta (Ga.), St. Andrews (N.C.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Truett McConnell (Ga.), and Union (Ky.). Webber joins Asbury (Ky.), Cumberlands (Ky.), SCAD Savannah (Ga.), and West Virginia Tech.