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The University of Denver will join the Big East Conference for lacrosse starting in 2014 according to a school release.
Georgetown Athletic Director, Lee Reed, noted,
On behalf of the BIG EAST Conference I would like to welcome the University of Denver in the sport of men's lacrosse. Coach Tierney and Director Bradley-Doppes have done an incredible job building Denver lacrosse into a premiere program. The addition of a program fresh off consecutive Final Four appearances clearly makes us one of the strongest lacrosse leagues in the country. The combination of the teams from the BIG EAST with Denver as an affiliate member strengthens our brand in lacrosse.
As Syracuse and Notre Dame bounce for the ACC, the addition of Denver will immediately provide the conference with a stable membership of six schools along with Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's, Providence, and Marquette after Rutgers leaves in the Summer of 2014.
Coached by Bill Tierney, who led Princeton to 6 national titles, the Pioneers have appeared in two Final Fours in the past three years including a 9-8 loss in this year's national semifinals to Syracuse.