"Our intercollegiate athletics program will welcome our 23rd sport offering with the addition of men's lacrosse starting competition in the 2019-2020 season," Planek said. "I am glad to announce that Joe Perruzzi will be our inaugural head coach. His successful experience at the Division II level along with his energy level will serve us well as we begin to establish our lacrosse program at Lewis University."

Lewis Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Planning Ray Kennelly was equally as excited about the new Flyer sport addition.

"The addition of men's lacrosse, will enhance student life on campus as well as provide additional opportunities for intercollegiate athletic competition," Kennelly said. "This will also help spread the Lewis name to new markets."

Perruzzi comes to Lewis after spending the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. During his tenure with the Crusaders, he helped guide them to a 38-13 record and back-to-back appearances in the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship game. Perruzzi helped mentor 17 Conference Carolinas All-Conference selections, 10 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans and two USILA Scholar All-Americans.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Flyer family at Lewis University," Perruzzi said. "I would like to thank Dr. (David) Livingston and Dr. (John) Planek for this exciting opportunity to begin the lacrosse program at Lewis University.

"From the moment I stepped on campus, I was blown away by the strength of the academics, the department's commitment to athletics and integrity of the college community. I look forward to building this program from the ground up and competing at the highest level in the GLVC."

This past season he helped lead Belmont Abbey to a school-record 14 wins, the Conference of Carolina regular season and postseason championships and a Top 15 finish in both the USILA Coaches Poll (9th) and the Nike/Lax Magazine Poll. Liam Osborne was the Conference Carolinas Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Perruzzi coached six All-Conference Carolinas selections, four USILA All-Americans and two USILA Scholar All-Americans.

The Crusaders ranked second in Division II in clearing percentage (90.9 percent), fifth in man-down defense (81.8 percent) and ninth in scoring defense (7.94 goals against average).

In 2017, The Abbey established a 12-5 record and advanced to the Conference Carolinas Championship game for the first time since 2010. Adam Wiedemann was chosen as the Conference Carolinas Co-Offensive Player of the Year.