SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Hampton University will join the Southern Conference as an associate member for men’s lacrosse effective July 1.
 
“We look forward to our new configuration with Southern Conference men’s lacrosse,” SoCon Commissioner Jim Schaus said. “This alignment provides a strong competitiveness and concise geography for travel. We welcome new member Hampton, who will be an excellent addition to the SoCon.”
 
Founded April 1, 1868, as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Hampton, Virginia, Hampton boasts a total enrollment of 3,516 students and will be the first historically Black university to compete in men’s sports in the SoCon. Fellow HBCU Delaware State has been an associate member in women’s lacrosse since the league added the sport for the 2017-18 academic year.

“For our men’s lacrosse program to be accepted into a prestigious league such as the Southern Conference is a special day for Hampton University athletics,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. “To be aligned with these strong institutions will be beneficial to the future growth of not only our program, but HBCU lacrosse, as well.”
 
Independent since the program’s launch in 2016, Hampton’s men’s lacrosse team faced in-state SoCon foe VMI each year from 2016 to 2019 and was slated to play the Keydets in 2020 before the season was canceled in March due to the coronavirus. The

Pirates took on former SoCon program Furman as well as VMI in 2019 and faced four SoCon squads in 2020 before the season was cancelled, playing Furman, Bellarmine, Mercer and Jacksonville in order.

“What an exciting time to be a part of the Hampton University lacrosse family,” first-year Hampton coach Chazz Woodson said. “I certainly appreciate the time and energy that our Athletic Director, Mr. (Eugene) Marshall, has poured into making this happen. The efforts of the players and coaches past who have helped to create the foundation for the program are also due their credit, as well. If not for them, we are not celebrating this particular milestone in the program’s evolution. Additionally, this does not happen without the vision and blessing of our President, Dr. Harvey. Since the beginning, he has been fully supportive of Hampton lacrosse and we are happy that this is taking place on his watch, under his tenure.”
 
Also effective July 1, current SoCon associate members Air Force Academy and Bellarmine University will depart for the newly formed ASUN Conference.
 
The SoCon and ASUN, which have enjoyed a long-term partnership association with lacrosse, will each have six members and an NCAA automatic qualification under the new alignment. Hampton, High Point, Jacksonville, Mercer, Richmond and VMI will comprise the SoCon, while the ASUN, which will operate in conjunction with the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association, will be composed of Air Force, Bellarmine, Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy, Robert Morris and Utah.  

The 2015 season was the first for Southern Conference men’s lacrosse, and since then, the league has made its mark on the collegiate lacrosse landscape, with Air Force, High Point and Richmond appearing in the national rankings over the last several years. SoCon student-athletes have earned USILA All-America honors 13 times, while three SoCon players – High Point’s Asher Nolting, Mercer’s Sean Goldsmith and Richmond’s Ryan Lanchbury – appeared on the final 2020 watch list for the Tewaaraton Award. The SoCon has produced at least one Major League Lacrosse draft pick each year since 2015, with a SoCon-record five drafted in 2019. In total, the SoCon has produced 18 MLL draft picks, seven National Lacrosse League draft picks and two Premier Lacrosse League draft picks. Former High Point goalie Tim Troutner Jr. was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLL draft but was also taken in the PLL draft that year, going on to earn Rookie of the Year honors for Redwoods LC in that league.
 
“Without question, having a conference home is essential to the growth of any collegiate program, so for us, this moment cannot be overstated,” Woodson said. “We look forward to competing in the SoCon with such an established and quality group of programs. I believe the SoCon is both geographically and competitively right where we need to be. This will certainly have a positive impact on our ability to recruit top talent, and as a team, this helps us to be a bit more purposeful and intentional as we look toward competing next year. I can’t wait. Our team can’t wait.”