University of Evansville Athletics to add Track and Field

Sports will be added on both the men’s and women’s side

for both indoor and outdoor seasons

University of Evansville Director of Athletics Mark Spencer has announced that the Purple Aces will add four varsity NCAA athletic sports – men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field.  The additions will be effective for the 2017-18 season.

The news became official with unanimous votes of support from the University of Evansville Board of Trustees and the Faculty Athletic Committee.

“The addition of four varsity NCAA sports is a big step forward for UE athletics and the university as a whole and reaffirms its commitment to competing at the highest level,” Spencer said.  “The resources being committed to this program will allow us to fund a nationally-competitive cross country and track and field program while strengthening the support services that will benefit the entire student-athlete population.”

“The addition of these sports is in line with the mission of the University of Evansville and gives Coach Walters and the program the ability to compete year round and will give them the opportunity to set the competitive bar higher,” Spencer added.

Head coach Don Walters is very excited about the addition and the impact that it will have for UE and the athletic department.

“This is something we have been working towards for 17 years and I am very excited that we are able to make this announcement,” UE head cross country coach Don Walters said.  “It benefits the University of Evansville in so many ways.  For our program, it really opens the door for us to recruit student-athletes that we would not have had the chance to in the past.  The future is very bright for our program.”

The addition of the track programs give the Purple Aces cross country teams an added advantage moving forward.  Several student-athletes entered spring track events as unattached participants in order to stay in shape and compete at a high level.  This will allow student-athletes to work as a team during an otherwise quiet period.

“We are excited about adding a program that extends the rich history of Purple Aces athletics and brings strong and accomplished students to UE,” University of Evansville President Dr. Tom Kazee said.

Members of the current cross country team have extensive track backgrounds.  Sophomore Sienna Crews brings plenty of track experience from her high school days including the 1-mile, 2-mile, 800-meter, 400-meter and several relays.