ASU To Reinstate Men’s Cross Country

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Wednesday that it will reinstate the varsity sport of men's cross country for the 2010-2011 academic year, becoming the 11th sport sponsored by ASU.

Men's cross country will fulfill the NCAA requirement that each school sponsor at least one men's and women's sport in the three seasons of competition -- fall, winter and spring. ASU sponsored men's cross country through the 2002 season, when it was dropped due to gender equity considerations.

"I am extremely excited about this new opportunity to expand our program with the addition of a men's program,” said ASU head cross country coach Adam Ward. “I think with the talent in the CSRA and surrounding areas, we could develop a competitive men's team. It is my hope to develop this program into a national-caliber program, just as we have tried to do with our women's program. I know it will take time, but with the support of our administration, university and community, I know we can continue to build a great tradition in distance running at ASU."

ASU will be the ninth PBC team to sponsor men's cross country, joining the six institutions that competed in 2008 -- Columbus State, Clayton State, Francis Marion, Georgia College & State, North Georgia and UNC Pembroke, along with PBC newcomer Flagler. Armstrong Atlantic State announced it will re-start its men’s cross country program late last month.

Under Ward’s direction, the Jaguar women’s cross country program has enjoyed unprecedented success. ASU has posted four consecutive top-three finishes in the PBC Championships, including three straight runnerup showings.

The Jags have advanced to the NCAA Regional in three consecutive seasons. They have progressed from a ninth-place finish in 2006, to a fifth-place effort in 2007 to a second-place finish in 2008, earning the program’s first-ever berth in the National Championships, where they finished 24th.

Ward has been named the PBC Coach-Of-The-Year in three consecutive seasons dating back to 2006 and he has mentored 12 all-conference selections, one all-region pick and three academic all-region selections.

Runners interested in competing for the Jaguars should contact Adam Ward.