Rockhurst University to Boost Athletics With Addition of Seven New Teams
Friday, October 28, 2022
Over the next two years, Rockhurst University will expand its athletics program with the addition of seven teams. Men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field will join the Hawks lineup as varsity sports for the 2023-24 academic year.
Men’s volleyball will also be added as a varsity sport beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. The addition of the seven programs will increase the university’s total number of varsity sports to 22. The teams will compete at the NCAA Division II level and in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
In addition, Rockhurst will be adding Competitive Cheer and Dance teams in 2023-24.
“We are thrilled to add sports that will enhance the student-athlete experience, provide collegiate opportunities to a new population of prospective students, and help with university enrollment initiatives,” said Kristy Bayer, Rockhurst University athletics director. “These sports have continuously appeared on interest surveys and will allow us to meet students’ needs and interests while creating opportunities for future Hawks.”
The university will immediately start a nationwide search for its inaugural swimming and diving and track and field head coaches to build a competitive roster to begin competition next year, Bayer said.
Rockhurst University has a strong tradition of attracting academically successful student-athletes. For 11 consecutive years, the university has received the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence for achieving four-year academic success rates of 90 percent or higher. In addition, Rockhurst is one of 10 schools to have earned the Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence every year since the award started in 2011.
“Expanding our sports offerings means that many more high school students can now confidently choose Rockhurst knowing they can play their sport and pursue their academic goals simultaneously,” Bayer said.
Prospective student-athletes who are interested in joining the new teams for the 2023-24 season should contact Kristy Bayer at kristy.bayer@rockhurst.edu.
