Mercyhurst Lakers

Mercyhurst Lakers
UniversityMercyhurst University
NCAADivision I (FCS)
ConferenceNortheast Conference (primary)
AHA (men's and women's ice hockey)
CWPA (men's and women's water polo)
Athletic directorJoe Spano
LocationErie, Pennsylvania
Varsity teams26
Football stadiumSaxon Stadium
ArenaMercyhurst Athletic Center
Baseball stadiumMercyhurst Baseball Field
Other venuesMercyhurst Ice Center
NicknameLakers
ColorsForest green and navy blue[1]
   
MascotLuke the Laker
Websitehurstathletics.com

The Mercyhurst Lakers are the 24 intercollegiate athletic teams representing Mercyhurst University, located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Lakers compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Northeast Conference for most sports. The men's and women's ice hockey teams are members of Atlantic Hockey America, formed shortly after the 2023–24 season by the merger of the men's former home of the Atlantic Hockey Association and the women's former home of College Hockey America.[2] The men's and women's water polo teams play in the Collegiate Water Polo Association.[3]

All of Mercyhurst's sports officially joined Division I in the fall of 2024 after previously competing primarily in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II.[4]

Teams

The most recently added sports were stunt, added for 2023–24, the same year in which the sport was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.[5] and Track and Field, added for 2024-2025.[6] Women's wrestling will be added in 2026–27.[7]

Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Bowling
Cross country Cross country
Football Field hockey
Golf Golf
Ice hockey Ice hockey
Lacrosse Lacrosse
Heavyweight rowing Rowing
Lightweight rowing Soccer
Soccer Softball
Tennis Stunt
Track and Field Tennis
Water polo Track and Field
Wrestling Volleyball
Water polo
Wrestling (2026–27)

History

National championships
  • 1976: Men's tennis – NAIA
  • 2004: Women's rowing (team champion) – NCAA Division II
  • 2005: Men's rowing (4+ open) – ECAC National Champion
  • 2009: Josh Shields (165 lbs), wrestling – NCAA Division II
  • 2010: Women's rowing (8+ champion) – NCAA Division II
  • 2011: Men's lacrosse – NCAA Division II
  • 2016: Men's Lightweight Rowing: Dad Vail Champions (Lightweight 8+)
  • 2021: Women’s rowing: Dad Vail Champions (8+ open)
  • 2021: Women’s rowing: Dad Vail Champions (4+ open)
  • 2022: Women rowing: Dad Vail Champions (8+ open)
  • 2022: Women’s rowing (8+ open Champion) - NCAA Division II
  • 2022: Women’s rowing (4+ open Champion) - NCAA Division II
  • 2022: Women’s rowing (team champion) - NCAA Division II
National finalist
  • 2007: Men's lacrosse – NCAA Division II
  • 2009: Women's ice hockey – NCAA Division I
  • 2009: Women's rowing – NCAA Division II
  • 2010: Josh Shields (165 lbs), wrestling – NCAA Division II
  • 2011: Women's rowing – NCAA Division II
  • 2013: Men's lacrosse – NCAA Division II
  • 2021: Women’s rowing - NCAA Division II
Mercyhurst University non-varsity sports
American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) – Division I

References

  1. ^ "PSCAC Logos and Brand Guide" (PDF). Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America Join to Form Atlantic Hockey America" (Press release). Atlantic Hockey America. April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Mercyhurst University Men's and Women's Water Polo Teams Rejoin Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference and Collegiate Water Polo Association" (Press release). Collegiate Water Polo Association. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024. The CWPA splits its men's division into two leagues; Mercyhurst competes in the CWPA's Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference.
  4. ^ Uveino, Jeff (November 19, 2024). "'Exceeded our expectations:' Was Mercyhurst's first Division I athletic season a success?". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Great Midwest Collaborates With Conference Carolinas For 2021-22 Bowling Championships" (Press release). Great Midwest Athletic Conference. March 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Kaiser, Ashley; Media, Director of Digital Creative (2025-12-01). "Mercyhurst Goes the Distance: Launches Division I Track & Field". Mercyhurst University Athletics. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  7. ^ "Mercyhurst Adds Women's Wrestling to Division I Profile" (Press release). Mercyhurst Lakers. January 28, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.