ROANOKE, Va. --- Hollins University has announced that they will be adding cross country to their roster of sport offerings for 2016-17. Hollins will compete in a full schedule and become the 10thteam competing for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship in the fall of 2016.
Athletic Director Bill Mannino feels that cross country is a perfect fit for the university. “I am truly excited that we are now able to offer varsity cross country to our student-athletes.” Mannino continued, “We have received an increased amount of interest from our prospective student-athletes and current students. Our campus, along with our direct access to the Greenway and Carvins Cove, make the perfect setting for training and attracting excellent runners.”
This will increase the number of athletic offerings at Hollins to nine. Cross country will be joining equestrian, golf, swimming, and tennis as opportunities for individuals to compete within the ODAC. Hollins also sponsors four team sports; basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball.
Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Patricia “Trish” Hammer oversees the athletic department and she echoes Mannino’s enthusiasm. “We are thrilled to announce the addition of cross country to our athletic offerings. Thanks to the hard work of Bill and our coaches and our student-athletes, Hollins athletic teams are moving forward and the addition of cross country builds on this success. This is an exciting time for Hollins athletics!”
The program will get started immediately as co-head coaches Jenny Logan and Brian Kastner will begin the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. Logan, basketball, and Kastner, tennis, will team up and share the everyday duties of the new program in addition to heading their respective teams.
Quoting Mannino, “Coach Logan and coach Kastner have so much passion for running and are eager to make Hollins cross country competitive within the ODAC.”
Both Mannino and Hammer felt that the time was right for Hollins to add cross country. Hammer added, “Hollins is always looking for ways to improve the student experience and now is the perfect time to add cross country. Both Bill and I fully expect cross country to grow and excel at Hollins and to be competitive in the ODAC.”
--- This release is courtesy of the Hollins University sports information department. ---
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