Silver City, N.M. - Friday, Western New Mexico University Athletics and Executive Director of Athletics Scott Noble has announced addition of Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field, which will begin competition during the 2022-23 academic year.  

The addition of track and field expands WNMU's number of varsity NCAA programs to 13. The track and field programs will compete in the Lone Star Conference and will be one of 13 institutions that sponsor track teams within the LSC. Adding sports also assists the university's 4K Initiative (increasing enrollment) by expanding roster sizes.  

"We are happy to announce that Western New Mexico University will be resurrecting our track and field programs for men and women beginning in the Fall of 2022," said Executive Director of Athletics Scott Noble.  

"It is always our goal to increase sporting opportunities for our student-athletes, while never jeopardizing the resources of our existing programs. These once vibrant teams began in 1940, but were discontinued in the mid-80's. It is time for them to come back. There is no doubt that track and field will only enhance the competitiveness of cross-country. It provides student-athletes new competitive opportunities in the spring semester and at the Lone Star Conference and NCAA Championship events."   

 Silver City is a prime location for runners with an altitude over 6000 feet and sunshine over 300 days out of the year. It is destined to create great middle/long distance runners and naturally gives the aspiration of becoming "Distance U". Western New Mexico University will have an emphasis on middle to long distance runners for the first few years and then expand into additional sprinting, jumping, and throwing athletes. It will also provide the opportunity to bring back the "dual-sport" athletes who were prevalent on campus the last half of the 1900s. 

 "The news is such a welcomed surprise. This gives WNMU the opportunity to elevate our caliber of student-athlete in Lone Star Conference," said Coach Campos. "I want to thank Dr. Shepard, Scott Noble, and our WNMU Athletic administration for their continued support. Go Mustangs!" 

Track and field will be coached by Macario Campos who is currently the Mustangs Cross Country Coach. Campos has been the Mustangs Cross Country Head Coach since 2003. He was a member the Cross Country team in 1994 as student-athlete, and eventually graduated from WNMU in 1996.  

Recruitment for the 2022-23 season is already underway, as the Mustangs prepare to field their first track and field team. Prospective athletes can reach out to Macario Campos, at Macario.Campos@wnmu.edu.  
  
This news article is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics! 

 
 
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 Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram).