St. Joseph’s men’s lacrosse team will join the Colonial Athletic Association as an associate member beginning in 2011. The Hawks will continue to compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference during the 2010 season.

St. Joseph’s joins Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Massachusetts, Penn State and Towson as lacrosse-playing members of the CAA.

“(Saint Joseph’s is) a great fit for the conference geographically and has already established rivalries with several of our current members,” said Commissioner Tom Yeager.

The Hawks won the MAAC men’s lacrosse title in 2000 and placed second in 2003 and 2007. The CAA has sent multiple teams to the NCAA tournament in four of the past seven seasons. Delaware and Towson both reached the semifinals in that time. Massachusetts and Penn State will be first-time CAA members in men’s lacrosse in 2010.

“We are both honored and excited to become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association,” St. Joseph’s coach Pat Cullinan said. “We look forward to continuing our rivalries with Delaware, Drexel and Penn State, as well as establishing new competitive relationships within the CAA.”