Men’s and women’s lacrosse will become the 19th and 20th intercollegiate sports offered at Transylvania, beginning with the 2012-13 season, president R. Owen Williams announced Tuesday.

Transylvania has added five varsity sports in the last decade, reflecting the institution’s effort to provide more competitive opportunities for prospective student-athletes. Women’s volleyball was added in 2002 and men’s and women’s track and field joined the lineup in 2009.

“Lacrosse is growing in popularity in Kentucky and around the country,” said Williams. “We want to give student-athletes who play lacrosse and who are also seeking a top-level liberal arts education the opportunity to consider Transylvania as an alternative. Adding these student-athletes will enrich the campus experience for the entire Transy community.”

A number of colleges and universities in the area play lacrosse, including Hanover, Defiance and Mount St. Joseph, who are members of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference along with Transylvania. Mount St. Joseph sponsors both men’s and women’s lacrosse while men’s lacrosse is offered at both Defiance and Hanover. Defiance has plans to add women’s lacrosse.

“There is no question that lacrosse is spreading across the country,” said Transylvania athletics director Jack Ebel. “It has become one of the most popular sports at every school that has added it. I think prospective players will find Transylvania to be an attractive option and that our students will enjoy coming out and watching the games. It could easily become another HCAC-sponsored sport in the near future.”

Transylvania will immediately embark upon a nationwide search for coaches for both programs and next year will be used for recruiting and club play before varsity competition begins in 2012-13.