ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DROPS CROSS COUNTRY, ADDS WOMEN'S GOLF

Old Dominion University will revise its athletic curriculum by adding women's golf and dropping women's cross country, effective with the start of the 2002-03 academic year.

"In reviewing athletic success within the Old Dominion University sports curriculum, the availability of quality facilities is an important aspect of each team's success," explained athletic director Jim Jarrett. "The availability of quality golf courses in Hampton Roads and the potential financial scholarship support are are all strong factors supporting the Old Dominion University sports curriculum's addition of women's golf."

There are currently 212 NCAA Division I schools competing in women's golf, and four in the CAA which include Hofstra, James Madison, UNC Wilmington, and William and Mary. The athletic department will conduct a national search for a women's golf coach during the next few months and utilize the upcoming academic year for recruitment of student athletes. The program will conduct its first year of competition in the fall of 2003.

"In order to add golf and retain selective excellence from both a financial and an equity perspective it is necessary to reduce the athletic curriculum by one women's sport," added Jarrett. "Our review determined women's cross country to be the logical sport to drop due to the lack of a quality track facility on the campus."

Student-athletes who have cross country scholarships will retain their financial aid. Advice will be provided to athletes who desire to transfer and a club sport program opportunity will be available at Old Dominion University through the Recreational Sports Department.

Old Dominion has fielded women's cross country teams since 1984-85. The sport was an outgrowth of track and field, which was dropped from the curriculum in 1982-83, followed by the elimination of men's cross country in 1994.