AIC to Introduce Women’s Triathlon as Varsity Sport

With the backing of USA Triathlon, American International College will become the 24th team in the nation to introduce a women’s varsity triathlon program to its athletic department. Director of Athletics Matthew Johnson expects competition to begin in the fall of 2019.

“We are thrilled to expand our athletic opportunities for female student-athletes here at AIC,” Johnson said. “Triathlon is an NCAA Emerging Sport that has experienced tremendous growth recently. In 2017, new triathlon programs were added in double digits throughout the country, and we are proud to join this trend. We feel the addition of triathlon is a natural fit for the AIC community as our women’s cross country and track programs have been very strong.”

AIC has received a three-year grant from USA Triathlon to implement the program. The USA Triathlon Foundation Women’s Emerging Sport grant is distributed to select NCAA member institutions to develop, implement and sustain women’s triathlon programs at the NCAA varsity level.

Currently an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women, Triathlon is endeavoring to become a championship sport with a goal of reaching 40 schools by 2024.

As a new NCAA triathlon team in New England, the Yellow Jackets program will join Johnson State in Vermont. Regionally, Daemen College, St. Thomas Aquinas and Wagner College, all in New York, have recently started triathlon programs.

Go, Yellow Jackets!