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TUCSON, Ariz. – Dave Heeke, vice president and director of athletics at the University of Arizona, has announced the addition of women’s triathlon as the Wildcat’s newest sport. Arizona will begin official triathlon competition in the 2023-24 academic year.
“Following a thorough evaluation of our 21-sport model, we are excited to add women’s triathlon as our newest program as we continue to fulfill our Wildcat Way mission of developing academic, athletic and lifelong champions,” said Heeke. “Triathlon is a growing NCAA sport that enjoys tremendous popularity locally in southern Arizona and nationally across the country. Additionally, our community is a marquee training ground for triathlon, making this an ideal addition to our department. This announcement comes as we celebrate the milestone anniversary of Title IX, and I look forward to seeing the Arizona Women’s Triathlon grow as another pride for the University of Arizona.”
Arizona Athletics will begin a national search for the program’s first-ever head coach. The program will utilize existing athletics facilities as well as local venues in Tucson.
Women’s triathlon is a fall sport, and the collegiate season includes national qualifiers, followed by the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships, held in November. The conscript-eligible races are sprint distances with a 750-meter open water swim, a conscript 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run. Triathlon was recognized by all NCAA institutions as the next emerging sport for women in January 2014. Over 40 institutions at all levels of NCAA competition sponsor the women’s triathlon. Division I institutions in the region that sponsor the sport include Denver, TCU, San Francisco, and Arizona State. The current NCAA scholarship maximum for women’s triathlon is a 6.5.
“The addition of women’s triathlon at the University of Arizona represents a major milestone in the women’s collegiate triathlon movement,” said Rocky Harris, CEO of USA Triathlon. “The state of Arizona is a world-renowned triathlon paradise. With access to a variety of trails and roads offering quality year-round training, the school is sure to attract top athletes. USA Triathlon Excites Increased Competitive Opportunities for Student Athletes at the NCAA Division I Level – More Opportunities Will Help Elevate College Triathlon Competition to the Highest Level.
Women’s triathlon is Arizona’s first new sport since beach volleyball, which has been competitive since 2014. The 22nd program, sponsored by Arizona Athletics, features Division 13 women’s sports, making Arizona one of the Pac-12 conference leaders in the number of women’s collegiate sports sponsored.
TEMPORARY SCHEDULE
Fall 2022 – Head Coach National Search
Spring 2023 – National Recruitment of Student Athletes
Spring 2023 – autumn planning
September 2023 – The official competitive season begins
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