Triathlon | 4/23/2015 5:28:00 PM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation announced today that the University of West Alabama is one of the first eight collegiate institutions that will benefit from a share of the $2.6 million, multi-year Women's Triathlon Emerging Sport Grant, created to drive the establishment of NCAA women's varsity triathlon programs.

"We are very excited about receiving this special USAT grant, but even more excited about being able to offer another great reason to be a UWA Tiger," said UWA Director of Athletics Stan Williamson.  "Our campus is a great place to train and compete and offers a unique opportunity for competition in Triathlon which the NCAA has identified as an emerging sport.  

"This grant will provide a more cost-effective way for UWA to add a new sport program bringing new students to campus that might not otherwise come to UWA."

The Tigers will begin competing in women's triathlon in the fall of 2015 and are expected to host their own triathlon event at a date and time to be determined.

In addition to West Alabama, other athletic programs that are recipients of the grant and will begin competing in women's triathlon are Arizona State, East Tennessee State, Black Hills (S.D.) State University, Drury (Mo.) University, Queens University of Charlotte (N.C.), Concordia University Wisconsin, and North Central (Ill.) College.

"Adding women's triathlon is a tremendous opportunity for UWA, our area, and for me personally. I have several years of experience competing in triathlon and coaching triathletes," said UWA coach Ray Stanfield. "It is a great sport and the effort put in by (UWA President) Dr. (Ken) Tucker and (Director of Athletics) Stan Williamson for UWA to get the grant will reap great benefits."

This funding program — the first of its kind ever offered to an NCAA Emerging Sport — is being provided by the USA Triathlon Foundation, with approximately $480,000 to be awarded this year and a total of $980,000 through the 2017-18 season.

"This exceptional funding opportunity from the USA Triathlon Foundation helps to support our campaign to make triathlon an NCAA championship sport," said Rob Urbach, USA Triathlon CEO.

Triathlon was approved as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women at the NCAA Convention in January 2014, receiving overwhelming support from DI, II and III schools. Emerging sports have a 10-year window in which to establish 40 programs. The first-ever Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships were held on Nov. 2 in Clermont, Florida. USA Triathlon has led the effort to include triathlon as an NCAA sport since 2010.

For more information go to usatriathlon.org/ncaa.