Nov. 11th, 2002 - Auburn and Georgia picked to win SELC Championships in '03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, GA: The SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) announced their 2003 Preseason Polls today. The two-time defending SELC champion Auburn University Tigers were tabbed as the early favorite in Division A while the Univ. of Georgia Bulldogs were selected as the early favorite for the new Division B within the conference. The league coaches plus selected members of the SELC Executive Board voted on the SELC preseason polls.
Preseason # 1 Auburn will feature a new look this year after graduating several standout players. The Tigers will also offer a new coaching staff, led by new Head Coach Colin Bathory, as they attempt to become the first SELC program in conference history to win 3 consecutive league championships. Auburn (167 points) earned 15 of the possible 17 first place votes in the Pre-Season Division A Poll. After an undefeated regular season, the Tigers suffered a disappointing loss to UC-Santa Barbara in the quarterfinal round of the National Championship Tournament last May. Auburn hopes to improve upon their performance in St. Louis as they vie for their fifth overall appearance in the Gateway City next Spring.
Following Auburn in the poll is the Virginia Tech Hokies. Virginia Tech (152 points) has been the SELC's runner up the last three years. Led by long-time Head Coach Joel Nachlas (2001 USLIA Coach of the Year), Virginia Tech hopes to qualify for the National Championship Tournament for the 6th time in 7 season this upcoming season. The program has made 3 consecutive appearances in St. Louis.
Florida (137 points) secured third place and earned the remaining two first place votes in the poll. Similar to Auburn, the Gators will also feature a new coaching staff led by Stephen Larsen (UCSB, '97) this season. Florida returns a talented, senior-laden squad that hopes to earn their first ever appearance in St. Louis.
Georgia Tech (114 points) and Tennessee (104 points) took 4th and 5th place respectively in the Division A poll. Both squads will attempt to improve upon last year's finishes within the conference and receive national recognition in the USLIA with aggressive out of conference schedules. Georgia Tech is predicted to continue its upward climb within the conference while Tennessee (1999 & 2000 SELC champions) hopes to return to past championship glories after two consecutive SELC third place finishes.
Rounding out the Division A poll were Florida State (6th place; 82 points), Vanderbilt (7th place; 67 points), North Carolina State (8th place; 52 points), Emory University (9th place; 40 points), and Clemson University (10th place; 20 Points).
The University of Georgia Bulldogs were selected as the early favorite in the new SELC Division B. The Bulldogs, who received 11 out of a possible 15 first place votes, expect to improve upon a winless 2002 SELC campaign. Georgia (116 points) will be directed by new Head Coach Waldo Terrell who led the Bulldogs to an SELC championship ('98) in goal.
SELC newcomer Wake Forest (106 points), led by SELC President and ex-Tennessee Head Coach Buff Grubb, was tabbed for 2nd place in the Division B poll. The Demon Deacons earned the four remaining 1st place votes.
The Citadel (86 points) was picked for third place in the Division B poll. All-American attackman Ryan Blakeley will lead the Bulldogs offense this season as The Citadel returns to the SELC after a one-year absence.
The two latest Sunshine State schools in the SELC occupy the next two slots in the poll. The University of Central Florida Knights (73 points) locked down 4th place and the University of South Florida (61 points) has 5th place secured.
Rounding out the final 3 places in the 2003 Division B poll are South Carolina (6th place; 52 points), Alabama (7th place; 30 points), and Winthrop (8th place; 10 points).
SELC Vice-President Sonny Pieper noted the new level of competition within the conference and the growth of the game. "We are very excited about all the new SELC programs and the new Division B level. This is the first time in three seasons that the SELC can offer two separate divisions of competition. It's thrilling to see the fantastic growth of the SELC with the addition of these new collegiate programs from South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. Due to the explosion of the sport down South, talented players from all over the South are filtering into various SELC programs which help everyone on the field. 2003 should be another extremely competitive season in the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference."
The 2003 SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Championship Tournament will be held April 25-27 at North Springs High School in Atlanta, Georgia. The top six Divisions A teams based on regular season results qualify for the SELC Division A Bracket of the Championships. The top four Division B teams will qualify for the SELC Division B Bracket. The winner of the SELC Division A Bracket receives the conference's automatic bid to the 2003 USLIA National Championship Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.
SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC)
2003 Pre-Season Division A Poll
1. Auburn University (15 1st place votes) - 167 points
2. Virginia Tech - 152 points
3. University of Florida (2 1st place votes) - 137 points
4. Georgia Tech - 114 points
5. University of Tennessee - 104 points
6. Florida State University - 82 points
7. Vanderbilt University - 67 points
8. North Carolina State University - 52 points
9. Emory University - 40 points
10. Clemson University - 20 points
SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC)
2003 Pre-Season Division B Poll
1. University of Georgia (11 1st place votes) - 116 points
2. Wake Forest University (4 1st place votes) - 106 points
3. The Citadel - 86 points
4. University of Central Florida - 73 points
5. University of South Florida - 61 points
6. University of South Carolina - 52 points
7. University of Alabama - 30 points
8. Winthrop University - 16 points
SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC)
2003 League Alignment
Division A North
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)
University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA)
Division A South
Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)
Division B
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
The Citadel (Charleston, SC)
University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC)
Division B Mentor Teams
Appalachian State University (Boone, NC)
University of North Carolina - Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Southern Virginia University (Buena Vista, VA)
The SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) is a collegiate lacrosse club league based in the Southeastern United States. The SELC was first founded in the fall of 1987 to provide for regional competition and promote a regional championship tournament in the Southeast. The 2003 season marks the 15th consecutive year of SELC competition. Currently, the SELC membership consists of 21 collegiate lacrosse clubs in 7 Southeastern states. For additional information on the SELC, please visit the official web site:
http://www.selc.org
Contact: SELC Vice-President Sonny Pieper (770) 492-3273.