Power play

This spring, UM-Dearborn will add lacrosse as a varsity sport. Jason Watts ('03 B.S.E.M.E.), who has served as head coach for the club lacrosse team since 2009, will continue as varsity head coach.

“We gained a lot of respect in the conference after making the playoffs last year,” Watts said. “It’s important for us to build off that success to grow the program, and we’re happy to see the university support us.”

The move from club sport to varsity is part of the ongoing expansion of UM-Dearborn’s athletics programs, designed to support enrollment growth and enhance student engagement on campus. The university added varsity men’s and women’s cross country in 2011 and men’s soccer in 2012.

“Students who are active members of the UM-Dearborn community often feel more connected to the university and do better in their coursework,” said Ann Lampkin-Williams, senior adviser to the chancellor for inclusion and special projects and interim athletic director. “We’re continuing to look for creative ways to foster an inclusive campus community that is supportive, welcoming and engaging for our commuter and residential students”.

On the field, Watts hopes to see the team compete for conference championships—the Wolverines will continue to compete in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association (CCLA) and the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)—and return to the playoffs.

Watts is a former UM-Dearborn lacrosse player who joined the team during its inaugural club season in 2001-2002. He began as an assistant coach at UM-Dearborn in 2005 and last year earned WHAC Coach of the Year and Champions of Character Coach honors. He continues to play lacrosse as a member of the Motor City Lacrosse Club.

He will be joined by assistant coach Mike Wagner ('05 B.B.A.), a former four-year captain for UM-Dearborn’s lacrosse team who earned All-CCLA honors. Wagner joined the Wolverine coaching staff in 2006 and is president of the Motor City Lacrosse Club.

Students interested in joining the team are invited to open tryouts Monday, Dec. 9, from 9-11 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.