Loyola University will be adding women’s and men’s golf during the following academic years.

Women’s golf is expected to be included in the sports lineup for the 2012-2013 season, with the men’s team following in the 2013-2014 academic year.

The addition of both programs form part of the 2009 university strategic plan, which includes a part to enhance the athletics program by increasing the number of intercollegiate sports offerings. This plan also included the addition of men’s and women’s tennis during the past two years.

Michael Giorlando, director of Athletics and Wellness, said golf is a good fit for Loyola.

“One has to demonstrate some real core values that a Jesuit education emphasizes, such as respect and integrity,” Giorlando said. “In golf you report your own mistakes, so you’re basically the jury and the judge of your actions. Thus, players will be exposed to an education of the whole person.”

The new programs will bring the number of athletic offerings at Loyola to 14. The university also offers baseball and volleyball, as well as men’s and women’s basketball, indoor and outdoor track, cross country and tennis.

Giorlando also said he hopes to have a head coach hired during the following months.

“Once we find a head coach, the recruiting process for the team will immediately start,” Giorlando said. “In addition to this, we’ll hopefully secure our home field somewhere in New Orleans for softball and soccer programs, which are also down the line.”

Judith Corro can be reached at [email protected]