Colby-Sawyer College will add two varsity sports programs in fall 2025 — softball and men’s lacrosse.

Both programs will compete in NCAA Division III, which emphasizes the importance of academics alongside athletics. This expansion of the college’s athletic offerings reflects its commitment to providing a comprehensive experience to student-athletes and promoting student engagement through diverse sports programs.

“The addition of these two highly competitive and popular varsity programs will be a tremendous benefit both for our student-athletes and for the campus community at large,” Director of Athletics Jeanette McKillop said. “The introduction of softball and men’s lacrosse will not only enhance the college’s athletic portfolio but also create new opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a collegiate level.”

Both sports are popular among college students in the region. According to McKillop, the number of men’s lacrosse programs in Division III has surged in the Northeast as schools have recognized the sport's appeal and its ability to draw student interest. As of 2023, more than 200 colleges field men’s lacrosse teams. This growth reflects a broader trend in youth sports, where lacrosse has gained popularity particularly among high school athletes. Because of its current popularity, lacrosse will return to the Olympic games in 2028.

College softball, exclusively a women’s sport, has seen an uptick in popularity over the past five years with the increased branding and marketing of the Women’s College World Series. More than 400 Division III schools offer softball, with over 45 of those in the New England region. Colby-Sawyer has a robust club softball team, which reinforced the need for the addition of a varsity program.

“These new programs will enhance the Charger campus culture and provide students with more avenues to excel and grow,” McKillop said. “Colby-Sawyer College is committed to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among its students. The addition of these two programs exemplifies the college's dedication to enriching the student experience in partnership with Athletics.”

For more information on these new programs, please contact Colby-Sawyer Athletics at athletics@colby-sawyer.edu or 603.526.3610 or Admissions at admissions@colby-sawyer.edu or 603.526.3700.