Catawba College Athletic Director, Larry Leckonby, has announced that Catawba will sponsor Track and Field beginning for the 2017-18 athletic season. The addition of both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field will increase Catawba's varsity sport total to 22 programs.
"This is an exciting time for Catawba athletics with the addition of these new programs", stated Leckonby. "To reinstate men's track and introduce it for the women allows Catawba to compete in all sports that are sponsored by the South Atlantic Conference."
Catawba currently competes in 16 of the 18 sports sponsored by the SAC. The conference added track and field in 2013. Indoor track and field will become league sports next season.
Catawba fielded a men's track and field team for 60 years previously, but the sport was dropped in 1987. During those years the men claimed nine conference championships with four coming in the 1960s. This will be the first time women will compete in track field and will also be the first time for an indoor track program.
Bryan
Current Catawba Cross Country Coach, Jason Bryan, will coach the teams. Practices will be held at a local high school.
"I'm excited to be a part of bringing track and field back to Catawba," said Bryan. "In addition, this will help our cross country program because track and field is a needed component to compete at a regional and national level."
Catawba College President Brien Lewis echoed the enthusiasm of Coach Bryan and Athletic Director Leckonby. "Given our strong history and our outstanding coaching staff, the addition of track and field is a natural next step for our intercollegiate program. We look forward to preparing these new student athletes to reach their highest potential as leaders in their communities and professions."
