Hampton University is making history as the first HBCU to have a varsity women’s triathlon team.

The program was announced on Halloween and will begin during the Fall 2019 semester, according to The Washington Post. The team will be funded by a $225,000 grant from the USA Triathlon Foundation.

“The USA Triathlon Foundation is proud to present Hampton University with grant funding to build a sustainable women’s varsity triathlon program,” USA Triathlon Foundation President John Cassimatis said in a press release.

“The Foundation’s mission is to open pathways to triathlon for all, and a key component of that is increasing racial and ethnic diversity in our sport," Cassimatis continued. "Hampton’s presence in the NCAA triathlon family means that young women with dreams of attending an HBCU can now consider triathlon as a collegiate sport option for the first time, which opens new opportunities both academically and athletically.”

The money will be used to hire a coach, fund scholarships, traveling and other costs. The team will bring some much needed diversity to a sport where Black people only make up 0.5% of athletes.

“Hampton University’s addition of a varsity women’s triathlon program is cause for celebration for many reasons,” USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris said. “USA Triathlon is in the process of working with HBCUs on a variety of upcoming initiatives to increase diversity in triathlon at the youth and collegiate level, and this is an important step in that journey. The academic and athletic administration at Hampton have proven to be leaders by committing to this unique opportunity for female student-athletes, who will shape the future of our sport for years to come.”

“This is another example of Hampton University leading the way,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. “I am proud of the Department of Athletics team that made the Hampton University Women’s Triathlon program a reality.”

The NCAA dubbed triathlon an Emerging Sport for Women in 2014. The Hampton team will be a Division I member and will have a decade to prove its sustainability.

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Hampton University triathlon

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