https://herdzone.com/news/2022/10/19/mar...ld-program

Coach Jeff Small to lead program’s rebirth

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University Director of Athletics Christian Spears announced Wednesday the return of the men's track and field program as a Division I championship sport, effective for 2022-23. The MU Board of Governors officially approved the sport addition Wednesday morning.

"I'm so genuinely excited to announce our sport sponsorship once again of Indoor and Outdoor Men's Track and Field," Spears said. "The Sun Belt provides our Track and Field program with a platform to launch from and adding Men's Track and Field back will serve as a great complement to our Women's program.

"The experience our Cross Country programs will now have is surely going to be augmented by being able to compete all year in distance events within the Indoor and Outdoor track seasons.

"Most importantly, we will be the only Division I program in the State of West Virginia with both Men's and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field programs. If you want to compete in these sports, Marshall is ready to welcome you. Come get a great education, compete at the highest level and help us get in the hunt for a Sun Belt championship. We are ready for you to join us at Marshall."

It is a monumental moment for head track and field coach Jeff Small, who has been the leader of the Marshall program since 1995. The men's program, dormant since 2003, won the Southern Conference Indoor Championships in 1997.

"We're thrilled on this decision, we are really happy that West Virginia athletes have the chance to compete in their home state for Division I competition," Small said. "Thank you to the Board of Governors, President Smith, and AD Spears for bringing back men's track and field. We welcome any one who would enjoy the Division I experience."

Marshall head cross country and track and field assistant coach Caleb Bowen agrees that the return of track will help the distance teams in the fall as well.

"Track and cross country go together, and both are equally important to the development of the athlete," said Bowen. "So definitely adding track and field will benefit the cross country team because we can further enhance their development as endurance athletes. Having championships to train for in the spring is huge for their motivation throughout the season. Recruiting wise, this is huge because track and cross country go together and every cross country athlete wants to run track, and every distance track athlete wants to run cross country."

The Marshall track and field teams are scheduled to compete in eight indoor meets and seven outdoor meets during the 2022-23 season. The Marshall Opener is the first scheduled meet on December 9, 2022 at the Jeff Small Track at the Chris Cline Athletic Complex.

This is awesome news. I thought we already had 16 sponsored sports, but apparently, this will make us 16 total? From the new guidelines being talked about, we will need to add an additional 2-3 sports to stay in D1 FBS Compliance if I'm not mistaken.

(10-21-2022 08:16 AM)Surbadger Wrote:  This is awesome news. I thought we already had 16 sponsored sports, but apparently, this will make us 16 total? From the new guidelines being talked about, we will need to add an additional 2-3 sports to stay in D1 FBS Compliance if I'm not mistaken.

The SBC wants to sponsor Beach Volleyball, which would be an easy and cheap sport to add. I'm pretty sure the SBC just announced Swimming and Diving will be added next year. Men's Tennis is absent at Marshall currently. I think Indoor and Outdoor track are considered two different sports.

Here's the list of what the sports SBC sponsors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Belt_C...nce#Sports