Eight years after the reinstatement of the Women’s Track and Field program at Sonoma State University, the athletic department should make the jump to add a men’s track and field team.

Track and field is a sport on the rise due to one of the most successful seasons in the program’s 27-year history, finishing with an SSU record eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship in 2023. Standout Sophomore Gianna Bomarito was the lone student-athlete who represented Sonoma State in the NCAA Division-II Championship where she placed 15th of 22 in the 10,000 meter.

However, before talks of an addition can begin there are some hurdles to jump over. “Any time a department adds a sport the goal is to ensure it has the resources to be successful like budget, Title IX Gender Equity and recruitment pool,” says Senior Director of Athletics Dr. Nicole Annaloro, “We want our student-athletes to have an outstanding experience.” 

Although plans for a men’s track and field team aren’t in place currently, in the upcoming years it would be the perfect opportunity to instate the program. Since Coach Lawerence took over the helm in 2020, the notoriety of the Women’s Track and Field program has risen tremendously. “I am more than okay with whatever the administration wants to do moving forward with the addition of a men’s team or not,” says Lawrence, “If it was to happen I would go with the flow of the administration’s wishes.”

Since the outlook for the future of the program is so bright, the addition of a men’s team could bolster an impressive young women’s roster filled with talented student-athletes.

Even though track and field teams are less popular than major sports there are still students on campus that are looking to compete in track and field. “I wish that Sonoma State had a men’s track and field team because I would’ve gone out for the team immediately and I know a couple of my friends would’ve as well,” says fourth-year, kinesiology major Joey Alioto. “I competed in track and field for three years in high school and enjoyed it, so I was hoping a team would’ve been started while I was here.”

If a men’s team was reinstated both teams could compete in the same conference. The California Collegiate Athletic Association has a men’s and women’s division meaning that both teams could compete in the same meets and cheer each other on. 

Although the idea of reinstating a men’s track and field team is desirable, the future does not seem promising. “We are always looking at ways to grow the athletic department and increase athletic participation opportunities for student-athletes,” Annaloro said. “However, now is not the right time to add a men’s track and field program.”