Maryville (Missouri) has announced that it is reinstating men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field beginning in 2010-11.

The additions will boost Maryville’s sport offerings to 17.

“This will allow our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in the 17 conference championships administered by the Great Lakes Valley Conference,” said Director of Athletics Tony Duckworth.

Track and field was established as a varsity program in 2005-06 but was suspended in spring 2008 due to low participation.

“When that decision was made, the goal was to build a base of student-athletes through our cross country programs while offering club track and field,” Duckworth said. “(Cross country coach) Micky Kaufman has done a tremendous job laying the foundation for cross country, which will translate positively to our varsity track and field programs.”

Kaufman will coach the track teams as well.

Maryville, which is in the process of reclassifying its athletics program from Division III to Division II, is currently in the second year of the candidacy period for Division II membership. Institutions that successfully complete the two-year candidacy period are then required to complete a provisional year before achieving full membership status. The Saints will be eligible to compete in all 17 GLVC conference championships and NCAA championships once they have been accepted for full membership in Division II.