BY JENNIFER ROBACK- NEWS EDITOR
Long Island University has announced the addition of two new sports, men’s Ice Hockey and men’s Swimming.
President Dr. Kimbery Cline and LIU Athletics Director Dr. William E. Martinov Jr., announced April 30th, the addition of the Men’s Hockey team. In a statement Martinov said, “NCAA Division I men's hockey is one of the most exciting sports out there, and we are pleased to be able to provide another opportunity for young hockey players nationwide. Coach Rob Morgan and his women's ice hockey team proved this season that there is a real hunger for a chance to play hockey on Long Island, and winning a championship in their first season has been a great experience for our entire Shark family. We look forward to the same success for our men's team, competing in the classroom and on the ice, representing LIU as truly exceptional student-athletes!"
As of right now there is a search going on to find a head coach and recruitment is set to begin within the 2020-21 academic year. Students who are interested in being recruited should fill out the questionnaire on LIU Athletics page.
Just four days after the announcement of the addition of the men’s Hockey team, President Cline and Martinov announced the addition of a Men’s swimming team, today, May 4th.
“We have a rich history of success with our women's program, and we look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence with our men's program. We are proud to have Coach Donovan lead the men's program, after his proven record of winning and development of our student-athletes during the past four seasons. We look forward to continued success in the pool, in the classroom, and in the community,” said Martinov.
Women’s head coach Matthew Donovan has been selected to lead the new men’s team, as well as still remaining the head coach of the women’s team. Donovan has experience coaching both men’s and women’s teams during his coaching career.
“I want to thank Dr. Bill Martinov and Lloyd Ribner for all of the hard work that they did to get us to this day and for giving me the honor to lead this new Division I program. I am confident that we can build on the great success we already have here in the water with the women's team, and bring a highly successful men's Division I program to the region,” said Donovan in a statement for LIU athletics.
Students who are interested in being a part of the new men’s swimming program should fill out the questionnaire on LIU Athletics page.
With the addition of these two new sport teams, LIU’s athletic field is now up to 32 Division I teams across the Post and Brooklyn campuses.