Siena Heights

[UMD Lax]

I know it was announced awhile ago on CollegeLAX that Siena Heights was adding a team. Not sure if this was already mentioned but it looks like they are all set with a coach now and ready to apply to the CCLA. Wondering if they will be more of a Varsity Club team similar to Davenport as far as school funding goes?

Ed Maloney Named Siena Heights Lacrosse Coach
Posted by Scott Oliver - Tue, Jan 29, 2008 - [ WHAC ] - Viewed 105 times

The Siena Heights University Saints have finished the search for their first ever Lacrosse Coach. Ed Maloney will become the Saints Lacrosse program pioneer. The Saints will start Men's Lacrosse in the spring of 2009, with the plan to add women's the following season.

ADRIAN, Mich. – A man who has a history of building lacrosse programs was recently hired to do the same for Siena Heights University.

Ed Maloney, the current boys lacrosse coach and athletic director at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard High School, has agreed to guide the Saints’ new men’s lacrosse program, according to SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith.

Full Article:
http://www.whac.net/article/884.php

[lgriemsman]

I believe the school funding issue is similar to the strategy of both Davenport and Aquinas. The administrations are betting on lacrosse. I see it as a sign of the growth of our great game. A new respect for our game's popularity. I am really happy and fortunate to be apart of it.

[UMD Lax]

With Siena Heights now in the mix, that means that 4 out of the 8 members of the NAIA-WHAC Conference will be offering lacrosse (UMD, Siena Heights, Davenport, and Aquinas). Three of those schools appear to be getting a lot of financial support from their athletic department. Just wondering how long it will be until the NAIA adds lacrosse. I know it takes a commitment from numerous schools before the NAIA will declare it a recognized sport with a national championship. Only time will tell there.

A lot of the smaller NAIA schools are definitely taking advantage of the slow growing NCAA lately. I explained the benefits of funding lacrosse at UMD….but as is the case with most schools; money is always in short supply.

Should definitely make things interesting in the CCLA-2 should Davenport, Aquinas, and Siena Heights be admitted.

[Gvlax]

Siena will probably need to have atleast one season of playing many MCLA teams to show to the CCLA that they should join. Teams dont usually get admitted the first time they apply because they dont present a good case as to why they should join if they havent proved themselves.

[detlaxhead]

Should definitely make things interesting in the CCLA-2 should Davenport, Aquinas, and Siena Heights be admitted.

Good job against Augustana man.

What I would push for is a realignment of the D2 North. We would split the NCAA D2 teams into their own division and then the NCAA D3 and NAIA school into a seperate division. That probably is the best way to go anyways this upcoming year.

[UMD Lax]

Thanks Owen.

If the North was split like you are proposing it would look like this:

CCLA North – Division 2

NCAA DII
Ferris State
Northern Michigan
Grand Valley
Saginaw Valley

NCAA DIII / NAIA
Calvin
Hope
Michigan-Dearborn
Davenport (Pending Admission this fall)
Aquinas (Pending Admission this fall)
Siena Heights (Pending Admission – probably not till fall 2009)

If Davenport and Aquinas are admitted this fall and the above split is incorporated, it would be pretty even as far as distribution of teams. Might be worth discussing this fall depending on what teams get admitted.