Sep. 11th, 2002 - SELC Conducts Fall Meeting; Admits 9 New Programs to Conference
September 11, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) held its annual organizational meeting last Sunday at Emory University in Atlanta. A record nine new programs were admitted for membership in the SELC at the meeting as the conference split into two divisions in compliance with USL MDIA regulations. The SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference now spans from Central Florida to Central Virginia and boasts 21 collegiate programs in 7 states.
SELC President Buff Grubb noted the success of the meeting. "It's a tremendously exciting time to be involved with the SELC. This is the 15th year of the conference and the growth in the SELC is both rewarding and challenging. We're proud to welcome the new SELC members and feel that their addition makes the Conference all the stronger and more dynamic."
New teams joining the SELC include the Univ. of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL), Appalachian State University (Boone, NC), Univ. of Central Florida (Orlando, FL), The Citadel (Charleston, SC), Univ. of North Carolina – Charlotte (Charlotte, NC), Southern Virginia Univ. (Buena Vista, VA), Univ. of South Florida (Tampa, FL), Wake Forest Univ. (Winston-Salem, NC), and Winthrop Univ. (Rock Hill, SC).
Alabama, Central Florida, The Citadel, South Florida, Wake Forest, Winthrop will join existing SELC members Georgia and South Carolina in a new SELC Division B. The top four Division B programs will qualify for the SELC Division B Championships next April. The three remaining new SELC programs (Appalachian State, North Carolina – Charlotte, & Southern Virginia) will all compete in the SELC as Division B Mentor Programs. These new programs will play limited league schedules and are not eligible for the SELC championships.
The ten remaining SELC schools will all compete in the new SELC Division A. Division A North programs include Clemson, NC State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech while Division A South is comprised of Auburn, Emory, Florida, Florida State, and Georgia Tech. The top six Division A programs will qualify for the SELC Division A Championship next Spring. It is expected that both the '03 SELC Division A and Division B championship events will be conducted April 25-27th at one neutral site in Atlanta.
A SELC Division B Mentor Committee has been established to help new SELC programs adjust to the rigors of SELC/ USL MDIA regulations and procedures. The committee will be chaired by SELC Division B Director Bill Kendall, former Head Coach at The Citadel. The new SELC Division B structure will emulate the success enjoyed the last 10+ years by the WCLL Division 2 programs.
Grubb commented on the new divisional structure in the conference. "Speaking on behalf of the SELC Executive Committee, we're particularly appreciative of the spirit of compromise and cooperation shown by both our existing and new members. With all the changes, the Conference will continue to transition as we sort through issues that are specific to our area and those that are before us on the national level. However, I think we're off to a great start with a sound foundation to build from. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and expect great competitiveness in both divisions of the SELC."
In other SELC news, several new coaches have emerged within the conference for the coming season. Ex-Assistant Coach Waldo Terrell supplants Mark Christenson as Georgia's Head Coach in Athens. Terrell, a perennial SELC All-Star, was a Goalie for the University of Georgia from 1996 – 1999. Terrell hopes to restore Georgia (1998 SELC Champions) as a top collegiate program in the South.
Ex-Tennessee Head Coach Buff Grubb (Rutgers, '74) takes over as Head Coach of the Wake Forest Program in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Grubb led the Volunteers to 4 SELC championships before his job was relocated last year to the Triad Area of North Carolina. Grubb is excited about the challenge of a new SELC Division B and the new job at Wake Forest. "With fantastic facilities and school support, the Demon Deacons have great potential as a USLIA & SELC program. I'm thrilled that Wake has joined the SELC and I look forward to competing with the other Division B programs for another league title next Spring."
Colin Bathory replaces Dave Czernecki as Auburn's Head Coach. Bathory, an assistant coach for the Tigers last year, hopes to defend Auburn's SELC league title and return the Tigers to St. Louis for a third straight year. Auburn hopes to become the first program in SELC history to win three consecutive league championships next season.
Stephen Larsen (UC-Santa Barbara '97) takes over for Tim Ray as Head Coach for the University of Florida. Jeff Rant (Ohio Wesleyan 94') will return for his second straight year as assistant coach. Larsen hopes to lead the Gators back to the SELC playoffs for a third straight year. Florida returns numerous talented players from last year's squad and the Gators will be eyeing a slot in St. Louis.
The 2003 SELC season begins Friday night, January 31st as Auburn trips to Knoxville to battle Tennessee. The complete SELC schedule will be posted shortly on the SELC web site at www.selc.org.
CONTACT: Sonny Pieper (SELC Vice-President); (770) 492-3273; (770) 346-7641.