Jul 04, 2013 09:15 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Saint Joseph's University will be joining the Northeast Conference (NEC) as an associate member in men's lacrosse, leaving the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The Hawks will begin playing in the 2014 spring season.

"The NEC is a conference committed to academic and athletic excellence and it has demonstrated the commitment to building a premier lacrosse conference," said Saint Joseph's head coach Taylor Wray. "It is clear to me that lacrosse is a priority sport for the NEC and we are excited to be a part of it. We believe this is a great fit for Saint Joseph's and a great move for our program."

The university now becomes the second associate member to join the NEC this week. On Monday, the association welcomed Hobart College as an affiliate; bringing the overall men's lacrosse membership to seven for the 2014 season.

"The addition of Saint Joseph's and Hobart will not only strengthen the NEC men's lacrosse brand, it will continue our upward trajectory in a sport where we are just scratching the surface of our potential," said Noreen Morris, NEC commissioner. "Likewise, these two institutions also bring excellent traditions of academic success and community involvement, two areas in which the NEC strives to be a leader."

The conference's existing members include Bryant University, Mount St. Mary's University, Robert Morris University, Sacred Heart University and Wagner College.

Last season, Saint Joseph's celebrated the 20th anniversary of the sponsorship of men's lacrosse as a varsity sport. The Hawks had competed as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for 14 seasons and then allied with the CAA in 2011.

The lacrosse team tasted tremendous success and recorded more wins in the past two seasons. The Hawks scored 6-9 in 2012 and 5-11 in 2013, which included a 7-6 win over 2012 CAA, champion Massachusetts.

Freshman, Pat Swanick was selected into the 2013 CAA All-Rookie team, becoming the first men's lacrosse player in the program's history to earn a CAA postseason honors.

"The changing landscape of college athletics and conference realignment created this opportunity to join the NEC, providing an option that suits our long-term interests and positions us for future success," said Saint Joseph's director of athletics Don DiJulia. "We are extremely excited to join the NEC and to compete with these fine institutions as we continue to grow our men's lacrosse program."

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