BARRY UNIVERSITY EXPANDS ATHLETICS WITH MEN'S AND WOMEN'S LACROSSE

By Litzy Grijalba

Barry University is making history with the addition of men’s and

women’s lacrosse programs, marking a significant step forward for Buccaneer Athletics. A clear signal of the university’s continued commitment to providing new opportunities for student-athletes, both teams will begin competing in the spring of 2027, joining the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) and expanding Barry’s varsity sports lineup to 23 programs — the most in school history.

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“At Barry, we are committed to creating opportunities for student-athletes to grow on the field and in the classroom. The addition of men's and women's lacrosse to our expanding roster reflects our dedication to fostering excellence through athletics and providing students with the resources they need to become dynamic leaders in their communities," Dr. Mike Allen, Barry University’s president stated on the Go Barry

Bucs website in July.

The introduction of lacrosse coincides with its rapid growth in popularity both nationwide and globally. Lacrosse has gained greater visibility through televised college and professional leagues and international tournaments. In Florida alone, participation has surged in recent years, creating a new generation of talented players eager for collegiate opportunities. Barry’s introduction of lacrosse opens its doors to potential athletes from all backgrounds, including many who may be the first in their families to attend college.

Barry recently named Alex Williams as the first-ever head coach of the men’s lacrosse program. Williams brings nearly a decade of NCAA Division II coaching experience to Barry, most recently serving as associate head coach and offensive

coordinator at Lander University in South Carolina. At Lander, Williams played a pivotal role in building one of the top offensive units in his division, helping the Bearcats finish

among the top ten nationally in assists, scoring offense and shooting percentage. His leadership helped the team capture the Peach Belt Conference regular-season title and

reach the conference championship game in 2025.

Williams shared with Barry Athletics that he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the university’s first men’s lacrosse program, expressing excitement about building the team from the ground up and his commitment to recruiting high-character student-athletes who will represent Barry with pride and passion. His vision aligns with Barry’s mission of providing students with opportunities to succeed both athletically and

academically, while fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

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For years, Barry’s athletics program has prioritized academic success alongside athletic achievement. The Buccaneers have earned 29 national championships and crowned over 450 All-Americans across 15 sports. The university also boasts more

than 750 Scholar and Academic All-Americans, 15 Sunshine State Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year, and an impressive 10-year Academic Success Rate of over

90%, earning the NCAA President’s Award each year. These accomplishments highlight the guiding principles that will help Barry students excel in and out of the classroom. In addition to these accomplishments, Barry continues to expand athletic opportunities through grants and scholarships, now offering financial aid for students pursuing lacrosse, with no application fee required. The university plans to begin a national search for the women’s lacrosse head coach during the 2025–26 academic year, allowing both programs time to recruit and develop their first rosters before

official competition begins in 2027. Once the teams take the field, Barry will join a strong network of SSC institutions that already compete in lacrosse, including Tampa, Florida Southern, and Lynn University on the men’s side.

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As the 2027 season approaches, excitement is already building on campus. Students, alumni, and faculty are eager to rally behind the new teams, adding even more energy and pride to Barry’s close-knit community. When the Buccaneers take

the field for the first time in 2027, it won’t just mark the beginning of a new sport. It is Barry’s enduring promise to its students: to provide opportunities that empower them to lead, succeed and make an impact both on and off the field.