FULTON, Mo. - In addition to the previously announced additions of Football, Flag Football and Competitive Dance, William Woods University will add Men's Lacrosse for the 2024-25 school year, with 2023 KCAC Coach of the Year Seth Matlock joining the Owls as the team's head coach. The team is seeking affiliate membership in the Heart of America Athletic Conference for the spring 2025 season.
"The addition of men's lacrosse is a strategic step in our five-year growth plan," said Director of Athletics Steve Wilson. "Lacrosse is a rising sport in both the NAIA and the Heart of America Athletic Conference. I'm excited to continue this historic growth - at The Woods, in the Heart, and in the NAIA."
"The addition of men's lacrosse at William Woods is another important investment in the future of our University, one that typifies the remarkable growth and vitality of our institution," said President Dr. Jeremy Moreland. "Across the board, we have been growing at The Woods – in enrollment, academics and athletics – and adding lacrosse is the latest demonstration of our eagerness to welcome students to our campus."
Men's Lacrosse is in its eighth year as an Invitational championship in the NAIA, with 31 schools currently declared for the sport. Six members of the Heart currently sponsor men's lacrosse, with William Penn (no. 5) and Benedictine (no. 10) both finishing the 2024 regular season ranked in the NAIA Coaches' Rating.
"We are thrilled to continue enhancement of the student experience at The Woods with the addition of men's lacrosse," said Ted Blashak, Chief Student Experience Officer. "In Seth, we get a coach who understands the importance of student engagement and the experience sport can bring to the whole person. This is a great day to be an Owl!"
For the program's inaugural head coach, Woods adds a 10-year veteran of the sport with experience at both the high school and collegiate level. Prior to joining WWU, Matlock served for seven years as the head coach at Ottawa University, developing 37 all-conference players and 10 NAIA All-Americans during his tenure.
"In Seth we gain a tireless recruiter and a Conference champion who knows how to build rapid success in the NAIA," added Wilson. "We are excited to bring Coach Matlock back to Missouri!"
"I am extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity to start and lead the first men's lacrosse program at William Woods," said Matlock. "I appreciate the amazing support I have received from Director of Athletics Steve Wilson, Dr. Ted Blashak, University President Dr. Jeremy Moreland, Dr. Andy Otto, and Casey Wieder throughout this process. William Woods feels like home already and there is so much to learn and be involved with around campus and the community. I am excited to build this team and culture from the ground up, that I know the surrounding community will be proud of."
Before making his collegiate head-coaching debut at Ottawa, Matlock served as the head coach at Blue Valley West High School, leading the Jaguars to Lacrosse Association of Kansas City postseason play in three straight seasons, earning runner-up honors in 2016.
Across the 2015 and 2016 graduating classes for Blue Valley West, 92 percent of Matlock's senior class continued to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.
On the field, Matlock helped Parkway South High School to the school's first-ever Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association playoff appearance, earning all-conference accolades and a selection in the MSLA All-Star Game in 2001.
