Mount Olive College to add track and field

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on May 11, 2007 1:48 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College director of athletics Jeff Eisen announced that will men's and women's outdoor track and field will be added in 2007-08.

Beth Green, who serves as the men's and women's cross country coach, has been selected to coach both track teams. The addition of men's and women's track increases Mount Olive's varsity sports sponsorship to 16 sports -- eight each for the men and women.

"I'm very excited about adding a new program," said Green, who just completed her first year at Mount Olive. "Being able to train and compete year-round helps us be more consistent and more competitive in the conference."

Mount Olive becomes the fifth NCAA Division II Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference member to sponsor track and field, which is not a conference sport at this time. Track and field can become a conference sport if one more CVAC member adds the sport.

Trojan cross country runners competed in track events this past spring. Green foresees utilizing cross country runners in track initially, but looks to expand the number of participating student-athletes as the program grows.

"Starting off, there will likely be an overlap between cross country and track," said Green. "But we will try to build off from there and add student-athletes for additional track events."

Green, who did not have an assistant coach during her first year at Mount Olive, is expected to name an assistant coach this summer. Green also serves as assistant sports information director for the college.

Eisen echoed Green's excitement over the addition of track and field.

"With cross country already established here and the growth of track and field among the conference schools, I think adding track and field is a natural fit for Mount Olive," said Eisen. "We're very excited about next spring."

Mount Olive had seven spring sports -- baseball, men's and women's tennis, softball, men's volleyball, men's and women's golf -- prior to Eisen's announcement.