With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day. The event introduced Florida Poly’s men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.
“I’m thrilled to be here. I love the team, the culture, and I can just feel the brotherhood growing,” said Marioandres Alvarez-Lopez, a Tarpon Springs, Florida, native and a freshman on the men’s soccer team. “I want to go to med school, so when I saw there was a biomedical sciences degree, I thought it would be a great opportunity to play soccer and get my degree at the same time.”
Florida Poly announced the launch of eight collegiate athletics teams in March, adding a new dimension to the institution’s all-STEM mission. Beginning this fall, Phoenix fans will cheer on men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. As Florida Poly’s athletics program takes shape, the University is pursuing membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Sun Conference.
Clay Roberts, head coach of the men’s soccer team, said the student-athletes are eager to play a schedule against opponents at all levels, including NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA programs.
“We’re ready to get started, and we understand the responsibility to perform well and represent our student body as strongly as we can,” Roberts said. “We want to play challenging games that make us better and allow our fans to experience the best college soccer in the country.”
Coaches across the new programs say the addition of athletics complements Florida Poly’s rigorous STEM focus and campus experience.
“The athletics program is an incredible opportunity to bring a new perspective to the Florida Poly community while retaining what makes us unique with high-level STEM academics and state-of-the-art facilities,” said Stephanie Bylander, head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams. “The squads are looking forward to representing the school well as we compete in this inaugural season.”
That dual focus on athletic progress and rigorous academics resonates strongly with the incoming roster.
“I’m really excited to take classes at Florida Poly,” said cross country athlete Wileily Labori, a junior from Davenport, Florida, who is majoring in biomedical science. “I feel like it’s going to be challenging, and I’m ready to give myself a challenge. I’m excited to see what I can do this year and just go out and race.”
The high energy also extends to the pitch, where the soccer programs are preparing to make their own history.
“It’s surreal because I’m going to be 80 years old and be that one grandpa who’s like, ‘I was a part of the first men’s soccer team at this school,’” said Jude Mason, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Atlanta, Georgia. “I’ve never been part of something like this – it’s crazy and a lot of fun.”
Make Plans
Florida Poly’s inaugural athletic events
Men’s Soccer
- Game: Webber International
- When: Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.
- Where: Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Rd. in Auburndale.
Women’s Soccer
- Game: New College of Florida
- When: Aug. 20 at 4 p.m.
- Where: NCF Bayfront Field, 5800 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota
Cross Country
- Meet: Uncle Nick’s Swan City Bagel Classic
- When: Sept. 5 (men’s race begins at 7:25 a.m.; women’s race begins at 7:50 a.m.)
- Where: Holloway Park, 3050 Holloway Park Dr, in Lakeland
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
