BENNINGTON, Vt. – Southern Vermont College Director of Athletics Michael McDonough is excited to announce the addition of an NCAA Division III men’s track & field program beginning for the spring 2015 season.

Men’s track & field will be the 12th varsity sport at SVC joining baseball, men’s basketball, cross country, soccer, and volleyball and women’s basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, and softball. It will compete in at least six meets during the spring season.

SVC’s current men’s and women’s cross country coach Kathleen Newton will head up the newly-formed program. Newton has been coaching the boys’ and girls’ indoor and outdoor track & field teams for the last 16 years locally at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington and is a certified USA Track & Field Level 1 coach. She was named the Vermont High School Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2003, 2012, and 2013.

“This addition reflects the excitement Kathleen has brought to running at SVC,” commented McDonough. “We see a synergy between our fall and spring running seasons, and continued growth in the coming years.”

In addition to her coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels, Newton is also a well-recognized runner in New England. She still holds the SVC records for both 5K and 6K races by a female Mountaineer.

“It will be exciting having a men's track & field program at SVC,” said Newton. “Not only will it enhance our cross country program, but it will also create a niche for incoming student-athletes, as well as those already on campus.”

Southern Vermont is just the third member of the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) to have a track & field team. While the NECC currently does not sponsor the sport, SVC will be able to compete in the New England Division III Championships and Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship at the end of the season in May.

SVC female students interested in participating in track & field will also be able to do so, however only in a non-varsity, non-traditional season, as the women’s side grows to eventual varsity status.

Please visit svcathletics.com for future updates about the program including the team’s 2015 schedule.