While still searching for a head coach, Loyola’s first season of women’s golf will begin at the start of the 2012-13 spring semester.

The move was first announced in late February with athletic director Micheal Giorlando saying the coaching search was to begin immediately.

“We’re still searching and we have some candidates coming on campus in the near future,” he said.

Women’s golf will be the 13th Wolf Pack sponsored varsity sport made available once it starts in the spring semester. The addition of golf to the list of varsity sports may surprise some students who thought a sport like soccer would be added next. But Giorlando said that adding golf was the most practical move right now.

“It’s just one of the sports that’s offered in our conference, and it would be easier for us right now

initially, I think from a recruiting standpoint and financial standpoint, it made sense.”

Not including Loyola, there are currently eight schools with women’s golf teams in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Since 2009, Loyola has added men’s and women’s tennis. With preparations for the inaugural season of women’s golf underway and plans to start a men’s golf team next year, Loyola will have added four new varsity sports in three years’ time.

Giorlando explained the sudden expansion saying, “In 2009, we were part of a 2012 strategic plan and athletics is part of that plan to increase our athletic department by adding sports.”

Giorlando also added that Loyola might also offer varsity softball and soccer in the near future.

Hasani Grayson can be reached at [email protected]