AUGUSTA, GA -- The Peach Belt Conference is excited to welcome Virginia State University as an associate member for men’s lacrosse. Membership for Virginia State will begin immediately, and the Trojans will be added to the conference schedule for the 2026 season.
 
"We are pleased to welcome Virginia State as an associate member" said PBC commissioner Diana Kling. "The Trojans have demonstrated their commitment to success within the men’s lacrosse program since its formation two years ago and we are eager to see them continue to grow as a program and compete within our conference”. 
 
Located in Ettrick, Virginia, Virginia State competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in all sports. The CIAA does not sponsor men’s lacrosse as a conference championship, and VSU men’s lacrosse have played as an independent team in NCAA Division II since the program’s inaugural season in 2024. 
 
 "Virginia State University is proud to join the Peach Belt Conference as an associate member in men’s lacrosse,” said Tiffani-Dawn B. Sykes, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “This partnership gives our student-athletes the opportunity to compete for championships, earn recognition for their academic and athletic achievements, and share the Trojan story in new markets. It aligns directly with VSU’s strategic priorities while enriching the overall student-athlete experience. We are grateful to Commissioner Diana Kling and the Peach Belt Board of Directors for extending this opportunity, and we look forward to building a strong relationship while contributing to the conference’s tradition of excellence."
 
Inaugural Head Coach Shaun Church continues to lead the Trojans as they enter their third season in 2026. Coach Church is well-versed in the lacrosse community with nearly a decade of coaching in the youth lacrosse community as well as NJCAA. Church led Monroe Community College to top ten NJCAA finishes every year from 2018 to 2022 before taking on the role of Head Coach at Virginia State.

"We are excited for this next chapter in our Men’s Lacrosse Program, joining the Peach Belt Conference” said Head Coach Shaun Church. “We would like to thank Commissioner Diana Kling for this amazing opportunity for our student athletes. Greater is truly happening."
 
The addition of Virginia State will return the total number of PBC men’s lacrosse teams to five. PBC members Flagler and Lander are joined by associate members UAH and Montevallo. Virginia State will be immediately eligible to participate in the PBC men’s lacrosse tournament and for conference awards.