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READING, Pa. (AP) — A private Roman Catholic university in Pennsylvania is adding a football program with a goal to be on the field by the start of the 2018 season.

The Reading Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/2cWf6kx ) Alvernia University officials announced Wednesday that the Crusaders will play in the Middle Atlantic Conference.

University President Thomas Flynn says the school is adding football to strengthen some academic programs, support modest enrollment growth and help the university obtain a better gender balance among its students.

Football will become Alvernia’s 22nd varsity sport after the inaugural season of men’s volleyball next spring. It’s the 11th football-playing member of the conference.

Flynn says the university hopes football draws a significant number of people to campus for the games.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, http://www.readingeagle.com/