Fresno State will add women's swimming and diving and women's lacrosse during the 2008-09 academic year. Women's swimming and diving last competed for the institution in 2003-04. Women's lacrosse is a new sport for Fresno State.

The additions were part of recommendations made by the Gender Equity Plan Task Force, which developed a five-year gender equity plan for athletics at the behest of President John D. Welty.

"The addition of these sports reflects Fresno State's commitment to Title IX compliance and strengthens the institution's position in meeting Prong 1 of the Interests and Abilities requirement of the law," athletics director Tom Boeh said. "Additionally, these sport selections will infuse additional women's scholarship dollars into the program which will ensure the university's compliance with equitable athletic scholarship distribution as required by Title IX."

The swimming and diving team will compete and practice at Clovis Unified High School, though the school's master plan includes phased construction of an aquatics center.

Lacrosse will practice west of Bulldog Stadium and compete in the stadium until the completion of a planned soccer/lacrosse venue.