May 29, 2025
Mike Wajerski
Lake Forest College to add dance, cheer, men’s volleyball in 2026–27
Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Catanzaro announced today that Forester Athletics will grow to 28 programs in 2026-27 with the addition of cheerleading, a dance team, and men’s volleyball.
“Forester Athletics has always been an integral part of campus life and we are excited to increase the opportunities for students at the College to be part of a dedicated and successful team environment,” Catanzaro siad. “Cheer and dance already have a history of performing at home sporting events and men’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports at the collegiate level. These programs are ideal additions to our longstanding Tradition of Excellence.”
Lake Forest Athletics has supported cheerleading and a dance team at the club sport level for several years and the popular groups have performed on the sidelines and at halftime of select football and basketball games. With the elevation to varsity status, their involvement at home sporting events will increase and the co-ed teams will also compete in regional events.
Men’s volleyball will be new to the College and Lake Forest will be added to the 128 schools already sponsoring the sport at the NCAA Division III level. An announcement regarding what conference the Foresters will join will be made at a later date.
A national search for two full-time head coaches, one for cheerleading and dance and the other for volleyball, will begin immediately. Those individuals will recruit throughout the upcoming academic year in preparation for their programs’ inaugural seasons in 2026-27.