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NEW ORLEANS — Expansion of intercollegiate athletics continues at ²Ø¾«¸ó, which Tuesday announced the return of baseball and the launch of softball for the 2020-21 academic year.

Jason Horn, ²Ø¾«¸ó assistant vice president for student affairs / director of athletics & recreation, said the university will conduct a national search for head coaches of both sports.

"Xavier is excited to add more competition opportunities for current and aspiring Xavier students," Horn said. "As I have traveled to some non-athletic-specific recruiting events, I have noted that many students want to continue their athletic careers. As a result, sports figures prominently in those college choices.

"Our goal for all our new teams will be the same as our already established programs — to pursue the highest levels of success in competition and in the classroom."

²Ø¾«¸ó will have the only active intercollegiate softball program in New Orleans.

The Gold Rush competed in baseball through 1960, when ²Ø¾«¸ó discontinued intercollegiate athletics for seven years.

²Ø¾«¸ó will compete for regional and national honors in the NAIA, which will have 190 baseball teams and 202 softball teams in 2019-20. Previously announced for 2019-20 were the return of  and a new Ìý±è°ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹³¾.

²Ø¾«¸ó is a longtime member of the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. ²Ø¾«¸ó will sponsor 13 intercollegiate teams in 2020-21.