Franklin College Adds Indoor Track And Field To Intercollegiate Sports Lineup
October 8, 2008
FRANKLIN, IN -- Franklin College has added men's and women's indoor track and field as official intercollegiate athletic programs, effective this academic year. The announcement was made today by Director of Athletics Kerry Prather.
The indoor track competitive schedule begins in early January and ends with the NCAA national meets in mid-March. "The decision reflects our support for a program that has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of level of participation, and has proved itself worthy of additional support," said Prather. "I'm pleased because it is another step that broadens opportunities for athletics participation on campus - to involve as many students as we possibly can."
"We're able to do more than we have in the past," said Franklin men's and women's track and field heads coach Paul Sargent '91, a former Grizzly athlete in his 12th year guiding the FC program. "Our biggest advantage is that our practice opportunities go up from 19 weeks to 24 weeks, so we'll be able to start during the first semester. Before, we've not had that option. "
Prather noted the move has been discussed for several years. Now the time is right with continued growth of indoor track and field in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
"We've done this on a timeline based on Paul's judgment and our roster growth," Prather added. "More conference schools now have a viable indoor season. We've begun discussing the possibility of an indoor conference championship."
Franklin College, whose men's outdoor track and field program dates back to 1918 and whose women's intercollegiate team began in 1978, has been approved by the NCAA to officially field an indoor program.
During his tenure, Sargent has guided All-America athlete Robyn Burns '06 to berths in the NCAA Division III national track and field indoor championship meet (three times) and the NCAA outdoor competition (twice). She earned All-America honors in the 2003 outdoor nationals. Burns also earned the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's Most Valuable Runner honor in track and field in 2003.
Sargent also coached field events standout Brad Epperson '03 to two appearances in the NCAA men's outdoor championship meets. Present Franklin College senior athlete Brandon Welti '09 was the conference's Most Valuable Runner in the May, 2008, league meet.
Franklin presently offers a combined 18 varsity sports (nine each for men and women). About 35 percent of the college's students compete in varsity athletics. Last winter, Franklin announced the additions of men's and women's swimming and diving programs, which are currently functioning as club sports.