Sports Clubs

Adelphi believes that athletics are important for every student.

But what if you don’t earn a spot on Adelphi’s highly competitive varsity lacrosse or soccer teams?

This fall, there is a solution.

Beginning in Fall 2026, Adelphi University will introduce premier club offerings in men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse, creating expanded opportunities for students who want to play in a competitive league, with full-time coaching and intercollegiate games.

The move reflects a broader vision for Adelphi Athletics: To ensure participation in competitive sports remains a defining and accessible part of campus life.

Adelphi Athletics has long played a central role in the identity of the University. With 19 NCAA Division II national championships, Adelphi has built a tradition of excellence that resonates well beyond its Garden City campus. The men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse teams account for a remarkable 10 of those titles, making them two of the most storied programs in the University’s history.

Now that legacy is opening new doors.

Building on Adelphi’s Championship Lacrosse and Soccer Tradition

The Adelphi men’s lacrosse team has begun paving the way for a dynasty, entering the 2026 season as the near undisputed No. 1 team in the land, after winning back-to-back national championships in 2024 and 2025, the most recent of which was a 9-8 overtime thriller to stun The University of Tampa in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Interest in the program is at an all-time high, and lacrosse continues to be a hotbed as one of the most popular collegiate sports in the region.

The Adelphi men’s soccer team, which staked its only national championship in 1974 (the University’s first, in fact!), has remained nationally competitive in recent years. Under head coach Gary Book, the Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times and earned a place in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 rankings in five of Book’s eight seasons.

The launch of premier club soccer and lacrosse is not a replacement for that success. Instead, it is an extension of it.

“These premier club sports programs are an extension of the strong campus life that Panther Athletics has always supported,” said Danny McCabe, Adelphi director of athletics and campus recreation. “They will complement our varsity, club and intramural offerings and give students another meaningful way to connect with the University through sport.”

What Makes Premier Soccer and Lacrosse Clubs Different

Unlike traditional student-run club teams, Adelphi’s premier club programs will have full-time coaches, regular practices and competitive schedules against peer colleges offering similar high-level club experiences.

“These premier club sports serve as an elevated experience,” McCabe discussed. “The professional coaching component is the key differentiator. Students will receive high-quality training and structured competition while still enjoying the flexibility that club sports provide.”

For students who want to continue improving and competing at a high level, this pathway offers another avenue to catch the eye of Adelphi’s varsity squads.

“Certainly, for students who want to continually improve at their sport, this provides a unique opportunity to compete after high school and potentially try out for varsity teams.”

Expanding Access and Opportunity in Athletics at Adelphi

At its core, this initiative is about widening access.

Competitive sports are often described as one of the most rewarding aspects of college life. Adelphi’s leadership believes that experience should not be limited to a select number competing only at the varsity level.

“It’s exciting to know that we will offer athletic opportunities to every kind of athlete,” McCabe noted. “From intramurals to club to varsity, our students will have options to stay active and be part of a vibrant campus community.”

A Model for the Future of College Athletics

Men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse will be the first premier club sports at Adelphi, serving as the initial launch of a model designed to expand structured athletic opportunities across campus.

“There are a number of schools offering high-level club experiences like this,” McCabe said. “We look forward to competing with those institutions as schedules are developed and continuing to evaluate how this model may work with other sports.”

The University’s long championship history remains a point of pride. Now, with the launch of premier club sports next fall, that tradition of excellence expands to include even more student-athletes.

At Adelphi, the message moving forward is clear: Competitive opportunity and campus engagement can go hand in hand.

And the foundation remains the same.

Athletics are for everyone.