Story Links “We are beyond excited to have LIU join the triathlon community,” said Tim Yount, Chief Sport Development Officer for USA Triathlon. “Not only will they be a successful triathlon program but will do so in one of the most iconic locations in all the world. They will be providing new pathways for females […]
“We are beyond excited to have LIU join the triathlon community,” said Tim Yount, Chief Sport Development Officer for USA Triathlon. “Not only will they be a successful triathlon program but will do so in one of the most iconic locations in all the world. They will be providing new pathways for females to excel and contribute to the movement that triathlon is making as it starts the process with the NCAA of moving from emerging to championship sport status.”
(This story originally appeared on liuathletics.com)
The Long Island University Department of Athletics has announced the addition of triathlon and women’s flag football as intercollegiate sports beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. A national search for the head coach of each program is currently underway.
Triathlon, a multisport test of endurance that incorporates swimming, cycling, and running, became an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women in 2014.
“We are excited about the addition of women’s triathlon and women’s flag football,” said Director of Athletics Elliott Charles. “Both programs present a significant opportunity for the overall growth and championship culture of LIU Athletics.”
Last month, women’s flag football received a recommendation from the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics to Divisions I, II, and III to sponsor legislation adding flag football to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, more than 65 NCAA schools currently sponsor women’s flag football. The sport is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.
The incoming LIU women’s flag football team will compete as a varsity program.
The incoming LIU women’s triathlon team will compete throughout Long Island and New York City as a women’s varsity team. —
The Emerging Sports for Women program – overseen by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics – was established in 1994 based on a recommendation from the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force. Since then, five sports have become championship sports (beach volleyball, rowing, ice hockey, water polo and bowling), while women’s wrestling is on track to become the sixth, pending membership approval at the 2025 NCAA Convention. In 2023-24, emerging sports accounted for over 5,000 participation opportunities for women, an increase of over 30% from 2022-23, based on NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates data.
With the addition of women’s triathlon, LIU Athletics will become the 43rd triathlon program to be added by a NCAA-member institution.
