SAGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO ADD WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM

Albany, NY----The Sage College’s department of athletics plans to expand in the coming academic year as Director of Athletics, Dani Drews has announced the addition of women’s cross country as the newest varsity program. 

Drews said, "Adding women's cross country is a natural extension of our expanding athletics department.” She added, “The success of our men's program in just two years of varsity competition and the increased demand from prospects and our current student-athletes makes this something we want to implement immediately.  We're fortunate to have the institutional support to make this happen so quickly."

With the addition of women’s cross country in the Fall of 2012, Sage will be sponsoring 13 varsity athletic programs, seven for women and six for men. The team will compete as an NCAA Division III program and a member of the Skyline Conference. Sage’s men’s cross country coach, Jim Bowles will expand his role and coach the women’s team as well.

Head coach Jim Bowles said of the announcement, “It is very exciting to be adding women’s cross country to our athletic program in 2012-2013 academic year.” He noted, “The Capital District and the region have a multitude of talented student-athletes, both young men and women, who want to continue their education as well as their running careers. Sage will provide another exciting and local opportunity for these young people to do so.”

Bowles is in his second season as the first coach of the men’s cross country program at The Sage Colleges after spending over 20 years as a collegiate head coach.   In his first season at the helm of the Gator men’s program, Bowles guided the young team to several impressive team showings and set the bar high for academic achievement, posting a combined 3.4 grade-point-average. Sage was just one of 125 collegiate programs honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as a 2010 NCAA Division III Men’s Scholar Team for their outstanding achievements on the course and in the classroom.  In addition, four Gator harriers were cited for academic efforts, earning spots on the 2010 Skyline Conference Fall Scholar-Athlete Team.

Student-athletes interested in learning more about Sage women’s and men’s cross country program can contact head coach Jim Bowles at bowlej@sage.edu or at (518) 292-1821.

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