Cleary Announces Lowery as New Men's Lacrosse Coach

(Howell, MI)-- Cleary Vice President of Student Affairs and Athletic Director Heather Bateman has announced that Craig "CJ" Lowery will be the next head coach of the Cougar Men's Lacrosse Program.
Lowery spent the past season at Cornell College in Iowa and was an assistant coach for the Rams.  Prior to this most recent season, Lowery was the assistant coach at Caledonia High School.

"I'd like to thank Athletic Director Heather Bateman and the entire Cleary Athletics department for this opportunity to coach.  I took the job to be able to come back and be closer to the community I grew up in.  I want to to be a part of something bigger, and I truly believe that Cleary lacrosse has the opportunity to grow into a very special program."

Of the newest addition to the Cougar coaching staff, Bateman says "Craig brings a wealth of lacrosse knowledge and enthusiasm to the Cleary family.  He has a vision that is consistent with our goals as a university and an athletic department.  We know he is a hard-working individual, and we know that will translate to his teams here at CU.  We are very excited that Craig has joined our Athletics family."

Lowery says there is a lot of work to be done, and it starts with recruiting the right people to join the program.  He says, "We are building this program basically from scratch, and the goals each season will definitely change as we continue to lay our foundation.  We are looking for guys that are going to invest not only into the team, but also into the University and the community we serve.  Our program will make a difference and we will do whatever we can to make a positive impact on campus and in the Howell area.  We're also looking for guys that are willing to put their heart and soul into the program.  I truly believe that if we have a team committed to being the best in the classroom, on the field, and in the community, then winning games will take care of itself."

Lowery also says that there are many benefits that should attract prospective recruits to the Cleary lacrosse program, and that was another reason this position was so attractive.  "Howell is halfway between Lansing, Ann Arbor, and the Detroit suburbs.  There are so many strong high school programs in those areas.  I think kids that want to stay closer to home, earn some scholarship, and have that support from their homes will only help in building the program.  For those not local, we've been able to offer virtual visits that show the true Cleary experience, and that shows that we are the best fit for each recruit."

CJ Lowery played collegiately and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of the Cumberlands in 2019.  He graduated with a Master's in Criminal Justice from Indiana State University in 2021.