Athletic Success Signals Broader Cultural Transformation at Saint Leo University

ST. LEO, Fla. – A year of heightened school spirit, student leadership, and campus engagement is reshaping the Saint Leo University experience, driving a significant cultural shift across the institution. That momentum is most visible in a historic 2025-26 spring athletic season, which has positioned multiple Saint Leo programs among the nation’s elite.

History-making spring season

Nationally ranked Saint Leo programs include softball (No. 1), women’s lacrosse (No. 4), men’s tennis (No. 4), beach volleyball (No. 7), acrobatics & tumbling (No. 9 nationally, No. 4 in NCAA Division II), men’s golf (No. 13), men’s lacrosse (No. 16), and women’s golf (No. 20), along with a No. 2 national doubles ranking in men’s tennis. This remarkable success reflects the continued upward trajectory of Saint Leo Athletics as one of the premier NCAA Division II athletic departments in the country.

“This is an incredibly proud moment for Saint Leo University,” said Vice President of Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation Marcal Lazenby. “To have this many programs competing at a national level simultaneously speaks volumes about the culture we have built here. Our coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, support staff, spirit committee, game operations staff, and every individual behind the scenes have embraced our vision and are committed to excellence.”

Excellence in the field and classroom

University leaders said that this spring’s athletic success transcends wins and rankings, pointing instead to an overall emphasis on student achievement. “It is part of a much larger story, a story about an athletics program that wins the right way, that develops the whole person, and that embodies exactly what a Saint Leo education is meant to produce,” said Dr. Jim Burkee, university president.

Burkee added that the impact of the athletics program is evident in student-athletes’ academic accomplishments and campus involvement. Nearly 40 percent of the university’s Honors program is made up of student-athletes.

“Walk anywhere on our campus and you will find our athletes. In the classrooms. In the library. Serving in our community. Leading in student government and campus organizations,” he said. “The world needs more Leos, and these student-athletes are exactly what that means.”

A campus culture on the rise

In his first year as president, Burkee has made elevating the student experience a central university priority. The athletic department’s “One Pride, All In” mantra has played a key role in advancing that effort, helping to build school spirit and increase participation in athletic competitions. New campuswide events and longtime traditions, including Moonlight Madness, pep rallies, bonfire gatherings, Lions Bash, service days, and community awareness activities, have created a renewed sense of excitement across University Campus and helped fuel the university’s cultural shift.

“What started as words has truly become our culture. There is an energy on this campus right now that is unlike anything we have seen in years,” Lazenby said. “Our student body has shown up in a major way this year, transforming our home environments and helping to create one of the best student-athlete experiences in Division II athletics.”

This momentum has been bolstered by continued investment in athletic facilities, including a new track and field facility following the sport’s return, new soccer locker rooms, the official naming of the Jody Luihn Family Stadium, and the installation of a Saint Leo Athletics Hall of Fame board inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center. The athletics department also introduced a multimedia projection system designed to enhance the game-day experience for the entire Saint Leo community.

“These additions symbolize our commitment to investing in our student-athletes and our future,” Lazenby said. “Saint Leo is growing and evolving every day. We are creating something special here.”

What’s next

With postseason competition approaching, Saint Leo teams are positioned for potential championship runs across multiple sports this spring.

To help support the continued success of its programs and student-athletes, Saint Leo Athletics will host its Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, at the university’s Wellness Center. The event will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by gaming from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and are available online at saintleolions.com/casinonight.

“We invite alumni, supporters, and the community to celebrate this momentum with us,” Lazenby said. “The future is bright, and we are just getting started.”

To learn more about Saint Leo Athletics, visit saintleolions.com.