CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Lesley University Director of Athletics Dan Campagna announced today the addition of Women's Golf and the relaunch of Men's Volleyball as NCAA varsity intercollegiate programs beginning competition with the 2027-28 academic year.

The addition of women's golf and return of men's volleyball reflects the institution's continued commitment to strategic enrollment growth, enhanced student-athlete opportunities, and a broad-based NCAA Division III athletics experience. National searches are currently underway for head coaches to lead both programs.

"These additions represent an exciting step forward for our department and institution," said Campagna. "Women's Golf and Men's Volleyball both align with our strategic vision for sustainable growth while creating new opportunities for student-athletes to compete, develop, and thrive academically and athletically. We are committed to building programs that provide an outstanding Division III experience from day one."

The launch follows the successful addition of the Men's Golf program in 2024, which has already generated strong enrollment interest and competitive momentum within the department. Campagna noted the early success of that program as a key indicator of the potential impact additional sport offerings can have on campus engagement and recruitment.

"In just its second year of varsity competition, the Men's Golf program at Lesley had a full, competitive roster, finished third in this year's conference championship, and had several individuals compete for medalist honors throughout the season," said Campagna. "I'm confident that with the right approach and leadership, the Women's Golf program won't be far behind at the sport continues to gain in popularity in the region."

In addition to expanding varsity offerings, the department recently enhanced its volleyball infrastructure through the creation of a full-time head coaching position overseeing the institution's Women's Volleyball program while also preparing for the return of Men's Volleyball competition. The move was designed to elevate the overall student-athlete experience through increased support, recruiting, skill development, and program visibility.

Vice President of Enrollment Initiatives Thomas Englehardt noted the important connection between athletics expansion and institutional enrollment goals.

"As we continue to grow enrollment and broaden opportunities for prospective students, athletics remains an important part of that strategy," said Englehardt who also serves as the Athletics Direct Report. "The addition of Women's Golf and Men's Volleyball will help us reach new student populations while strengthening campus life and community engagement. We are excited about the momentum these programs will bring to Lynx Nation."

Women's Golf will immediately begin the process of recruiting its inaugural class ahead of competition in 2027-28, while Men's Volleyball returns after previously competing at the varsity level. Conference affiliation and competition schedules for both programs will be announced at a later date.

Additional information regarding future program updates will be available at www.lesleyathletics.com. Prospective student-athletes can immediately fill out a Recruiting Questionnaire or reach out directly to Campagna (daniel.campagna@lesley.edu) with any questions about either program.