Sports sponsorship: Robert Morris University will add field hockey, men's ice hockey, and men's and women's lacrosse to its intercollegiate athletics program in 2004-05. The additions bring the school's total of Division I sports to 22, including an earlier-announced addition of women's golf, which begins its first season this fall. "It's exciting to be able to add new teams and new opportunities for young people to compete," said Robert Morris Athletics Director Susan Hofacre. The women's lacrosse and field hockey teams will be affiliated with the Northeast Conference. Robert Morris is looking for a conference affiliation for the men's ice hockey and men's lacrosse programs, neither of which the NEC currently sponsors.

Facilities: The Morgan State University football team will play its home games on a newly installed state-of-the-art artificial playing surface beginning in 2003. The new synthetic surface was installed by Safeplay Plus International, which also has provided surfaces for football stadiums at the University of Texas at Austin; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; the University of Oklahoma; and Ohio State University, as well as several NFL venues. "This surface will allow us increased opportunities to open our doors to the community," said Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley. "I also believe this will be a strong recruiting tool for our program. Hughes Stadium may also become an attractive training option for an NFL team." The new surface comes with a drainage system capable of handling as much as 20 inches of water per hour. It also is resistant to insect infestation, rot, fungus and mildew.