Concordia University Texas will add men’s and women’s track and field to its roster of varsity sports during 2009-10.

The school, which already sponsors men’s and women’s cross country during the fall, said the addition of track would boost year-round sponsorship of sports while giving cross country student-athletes an opportunity to also compete in track.

Concordia currently sponsors 13 sports – six for men and seven for women.

“As an athletics director, I feel that part of my responsibility to the university is to seek and maintain sport sponsorships that are productive in recruiting and retaining student-athletes, as well as provide a positive experience for the university’s student-athletes, fans and community,” said AD Dan Huntley.

“It is our responsibility to build a vibrant and comprehensive athletics program that will provide opportunities for students to participate and represent Concordia in a positive manner.”

The university also pointed to its recent move from downtown Austin, Texas, to a larger campus in the northwest part of the city as supporting the action, as the school now has more space for athletics facilities.

Administrators considered budgetary needs, the number of students required for the programs and facility needs in recommending approval of varsity track and field to the university’s administrative council.

“The addition of track and field to our sport sponsorships will have a direct effect on the quality and number of cross country student-athletes we can recruit and will allow them to become dual-sport athletes,” said part-time cross country coach Alex Aldaco, who will also lead the track and field program in taking on a full-time role.

“We plan on recruiting and filling all areas of our track and field programs with student-athletes immediately in order to prepare them for participation in sprint, distance and field events next spring.”

Concordia will become the sixth American Southwest Conference member to sponsor track and field and the league member to add the sport in three years, following Texas-Tyler last year.