LHU reinstates men’s indoor track & field
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Lock Haven University has announced the reinstatement of the men’s varsity indoor track & field program.
The men’s indoor track & field team will be reinstated for the 2021-22 academic year and will compete at the NCAA Division II level and within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
“It is with great pride that I officially welcome back the men’s indoor track and field team,” Dr. Tom Gioglio, LHU director of athletics, said. “Reinstating this team as a sponsored NCAA Division II and PSAC sport, creates a holistic experience for prospective students that wish to participate in outdoor track & field, as well as cross country. Offering this sport will also enhance enrollment and increase retention, while staying within the existing budget.”
Prior to the 2020-21 season, the men’s indoor track & field team competed at the club level during each of the three previous academic years (2017-20) after it was eliminated as a varsity sport in March 2017.
The PSAC began holding an indoor track & field championship in 2002 and from 2002 to 2017, the Bald Eagles finished among the top-10 at all 16 championship events in which they competed. The LHU men finished among the top-five 14 times and claimed five indoor team titles, the second-most of any PSAC institution. Back in 2017, Lock Haven placed fourth out of 12 teams at the PSAC Indoor Championships.
Veteran coach Aaron Russell will serve as head coach for the men’s indoor track & field team. He will return as the head coach for all of LHU’s track & field programs, serving as the head coach for the reinstated men’s indoor team, the men’s outdoor team and both women’s teams (indoor & outdoor).
The reinstatement of men’s indoor track & field program will push LHU’s overall sport sponsorship to 21 teams.
