The Saints are about to come marching into San Antonio.

Sorry, local NFL fans, not those Saints.

Our Lady of the Lake recently announced that the name of its new men's soccer and women's volleyball teams will be the Saints. Starting in the fall, both teams will begin competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. According to university officials, the Saints name was selected via a vote of OLLU students, faculty and alumni.

“This is an exciting time for the athletic program at OLLU, and we are very happy with the new team name that was chosen by the OLLU community,” said Jack Hank, university athletic director and vice president of student life.

OLLU's soccer and volleyball teams will mark the university's first intercollegiate athletic teams in 22 years.

When the soccer and volleyball teams commence, they will compete as independents while applying for inclusion in the Red River Athletic Conference, home to schools such as UT-Brownsville, Houston Baptist and Texas Wesleyan. The first home game for the OLLU soccer team is Aug. 30, while the Saints' volleyball team makes its home debut on Sept. 15.

“We have two talented coaches on board — men's soccer coach Shane Hurley and women's volleyball coach Mark Lee,” Hank said. “They are currently recruiting student-athletes for competition this fall, and we look forward to the new excitement that the program(s) will bring to the Lake.”

According to OLLU officials, the university will consider the addition of more sports in the future.

Clint Hale | 210SA