IU Southeast adds two sports teams set to compete in fall 2025 - Louisville Business First

Listen to this article 4 min

A golf legend is throwing his support behind the new programs.

Indiana University Southeast is expanding its athletic department, adding men's and women's golf teams set to compete next fall.

The addition of the teams brings the count of intercollegiate varsity sports at the school to nine. The last time IU Southeast added a new sport was almost a decade ago in 2006 when it introduced fast-pitch softball.

"These programs will provide opportunities for young men and women who are looking to further their careers," said Director of Athletics Tod Bannister in a news release. "Southern Indiana and Louisville are populated with an ample amount of golf talent that could have an immediate impact on the program. We expect to produce championships at the individual and team level and to provide additional opportunities for the community to engage with the university."

Both teams will have approximately 10 student athletes who will compete in the NAIA River States Conference alongside athletes from 12 public and private schools in the area, 11 of which have a men's golf team and nine of which have a women's golf team.

In the fall of 2025, a non-championship season will include three to four tournaments and the following spring championship season will have seven to eight additional tournaments.

A selection of coaches and staff for either team was not part of the announcement nor was their potential payout.

The teams' home courses are regional golf clubs designed by New Albany native and PGA champion Frank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller, Jr. — Covered Bridge Golf Club in Sellersburg and Champions Pointe Golf Club in Henryville.

"This is an opportunity to shine a light on IU Southeast, Indiana University, and the community we appreciate so much," Zoeller said in the news release. "New Albany and Southern Indiana have always been the backbone of my support, and I feel like we all should give back with support."

IU Southeast appears to be part of the National Collegiate Club Golf Association, according to the association's website, though no students have competed in three regional tournaments that have already taken place this fall.

The school also competes in the NAIA's River States Conference with its men's and women's basketball and tennis, volleyball, baseball and softball teams.

The Grenadiers have won seven of 15 conference commission's cups awarded by the league to the school with the best regular season performance in all sports combined.

USGA course rating: Men's back tee