Trojan News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Trevecca Nazarene University announced today that it is adding men's and women's cross country as a varsity program beginning in fall 2010. These additions bring the total number of NAIA programs offered at the Nashville campus to 11.

Trevecca's new harriers will compete in the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TSAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

This will be the second time in Trevecca's athletic history that the school has fielded a men's cross country team. Trevecca sponsored men's cross country for four years in the 1970s. Trevecca has never fielded a women's cross country program.

Trevecca president Dan Boone noted that adding these teams is a way to offer students more opportunities:, "As Trevecca continues to grow, we are excited to add another athletic opportunity for our students. We are a Christian community providing education for leadership and service. Cross country competition will engage our student athletes in this vital mission."

Director of athletics Brenda Patterson spoke for the Department of Athletics: "We are excited to add these two new teams to our intercollegiate roster. At this time the university has decided that cross country is the best path for us to take in athletics. These teams will fit into our growth as a university and as an athletic department."

Recruiting for the squad will begin immediately for runners for the inaugural season. The search for a person who will coach both teams begins with this announcement.

For more information contact Dr. Patterson at bpatterson@trevecca.edu or call the athletic office at 615-248-1271.

On April 19, 1974, the Intercollegiate Athletic Board approved men's cross country as a sanctioned part of the intercollegiate athletic program. Beginning with the fall of 1974, TNC started scheduling home and away cross country meets with member schools (SCAC) as well as participating in the league meets.

These men ran for Trevecca during the four seasons of Trevecca cross country: Jim Hiatt, Fred Stewart, Dennis Conrad, Jim Ward, Rick Wagoner, Bob Jared, Jerry Jared, Brian Allison, Steve Bortner, Randy James, Rick Morgan, Steve Blakeman, Bill Neal, Gerald Norrington, Charles Toland, Dale Walker, Danny Driskell, Joey House, and Steve Peigh. The men were coached by Jerry Hull.

The first round of cross country team's at Trevecca are still paying dividends. Jim Hiatt (J.D., M.B.A.) was on the first Trojan cross country team. He now serves as the dean of Trevecca's School of Business.

Hiatt commented on the return of cross country to Trevecca, "As a cross country runner on Trevecca's first team (1974-75), I am pleased to see its return. In those days we sometimes had a van for travel, but just as often, we packed everyone into two cars and headed off to a meet. It was a great time of personal growth and fellowship! I continue to maintain regular contact with three of my old teammates and sporadically hear from several others."

"I view the addition of both men's and women's cross country as a very positive move for Trevecca's future. There are presently Nazarene college students running for other universities who would have been interested in attending Trevecca had we fielded cross country teams. I am excited at the prospect of allowing them to represent us! "

"Closing on one more nostalgic note, I recall the atmosphere of those early years where all the schools were small and on very limited budgets. Often the visiting team would eat a meal in the host school's cafeteria to save on expenses. Blessings on future teams and wishing them great success."

Trevecca's first intercollegiate meet was on September 21, 1974 at David Lipscomb College at a triangular meet with Covenant College.

Trevecca's first intercollegiate meet at home (Shelby Park) was on October 4, 1974, with Tennessee Temple.

Trevecca's first intercollegiate win was on October 22, 1974, at Shelby Park at a triangular meet with Lee College.

Covenant College hosted the SCAC Cross Country Championship on October 12, 1974. Five teams were involved: Bryan College, Covenant College, Lee College, Tennessee Temple, and Trevecca College. Trevecca missed 3rd place by one point while Trojan Bob Jared finished 4th.

Trevecca participated in the NCCAA National Meet at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., on November 9, 1974. The team finished 10th. Bob Jared placed 16th with a time of 27:44 out of 66 runners.

In 1975 the home meets were held on campus. The team participated in three invitational meets and the NCCAA national meet.

The program was cancelled after the 1977-1978 season.