USA Triathlon has confirmed that Chicago State University, a Predominantly Black Institution in Chicago, Illinois, will become the 14th NCAA Division I program to offer women’s triathlon at the varsity level.
Chicago State University (CSU) begins collegiate triathlon competition in autumn/fall 2024 and will begin the search to hire a head coach by spring 2024.
“The addition of women’s triathlon at Chicago State represents a major milestone in the women’s collegiate triathlon movement,” said Victoria Brumfield, USA Triathlon CEO.
“USA Triathlon is dedicated to breaking down barriers of entry and increasing the availability and presence of triathlon in all communities. We are thrilled to see new athletic opportunities for female Chicago State student-athletes, who will shape the future of our sport for years to come and drive collegiate triathlon competition to the highest level.”
Dr Monique Carroll, CSU’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, said “We are grateful to the exploratory committee for their work, which has led us to this milestone moment in CSU history and our sports program. We also appreciate the CSU community including alumni for their enthusiasm and support in this journey.
“Launching women’s triathlon and our fundraising campaign for sports expansion represent a major step forward in the future of Chicago State Athletics. It’s a great time to be a Cougars fan.”
Chicago State’s addition of women’s triathlon as a collegiate varsity sport is made possible through a grant from the USA Triathlon Foundation. The USA Triathlon Foundation Women’s Emerging Sport Grant is distributed to NCAA membership institutions to develop, implement, and sustain women’s triathlon programs at the varsity level.
The commitment by Chicago State continues the momentum women’s collegiate triathlon has gathered toward becoming an NCAA Championship sport. With more than 40 schools now offering women’s collegiate triathlon, the NCAA Emerging Sport for Women has met the 10-year window to demonstrate sustainability and success at the NCAA varsity level.
Women’s triathlon now has a few more steps to take on its way to being fully managed by the NCAA as a championship event, including committee, council, divisional and budget approvals.
The women’s triathlon varsity season already includes National Qualifiers, followed by the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships held on November 11, 2023, in Tempe, Arizona. The draft-legal races are sprint-distance, featuring a 750m open-water swim, draft-legal 20km bike and 5km run.
In the draft-legal format, athletes work together in packs on the bike and make multiple loops on a closed course. The spectator-friendly draft-legal format is the same format contested in the triathlon competition at the Olympic Games and on the World Triathlon Championship Series circuit.
