Atlanta, GA—The Emmanuel Lions men's lacrosse coaches and a group of players traveled to Georgia Tech to represent Emmanuel College at the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Annual Meeting where the Lions presented their application for acceptance in front of the forty-two team conference. After discussion and member voting, Emmanuel College was introduced by the SELC Executive Committee as a full member of the SELC Division II for the 2012-2013 year. The Emmanuel College Lions will compete in the South Division's West Region along with the Emory University Eagles, the Kennesaw State University Owls, the Reinhardt University Eagles, and the Tennessee Wesleyan College Bull Dogs.

The SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference plays in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association which is the national governing body for all NAIA schools and non-NCAA varsity programs. The SELC encompasses ten states and is currently the largest conference in the MCLA. Division I members include: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, George Washington, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami (FL), North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Richmond, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and West Virginia. Division II members include: Appalachian State, Citadel, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, Davidson, Elon, Emmanuel College, Emory, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, Liberty, North Florida, Palm Beach Atlantic, Reinhardt, UNC-Charlotte, SCAD, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Tennessee Wesleyan, and Wofford. The SELC also just celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2012 where the Virginia Tech Hokies emerged as the Division I Champions and the Elon Phoenix rose as the Division II Champions.

Lions Head Coach Patrick Johnston commented, "The SELC is a first-class league and a competitive group of teams, and we're certainly proud to be part of its storied history. I'm excited for our players, coaches, and college community to have the opportunity to represent Emmanuel on a regional and a national level as a member of the SELC. We definitely have some challenges ahead in a tough region paired with the chance to play six of the eight play-off teams from last year including the reigning conference champions, but I know our student athletes are up for the challenge and are prepared to compete."

The Lions will kick-off conference play on February 10 at Wofford College and will start regional play with the inaugural home opener on February 16 versus Emory University.