Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics

Cal Poly Humboldt athletics announced on Monday that the Jacks will be adding men’s and women’s indoor track and field programs.

The new teams will begin competing this winter and will be made up of existing members of the university’s outdoor track and field teams.

“I want to thank (athletic director) Dr. Nick Pettit and our administration for supporting us to take advantage of this opportunity for the 2023-24 season, and all the high performing student-athletes throughout the years who have excelled in outdoor track and field at the conference and national level and paved the way for this new era,” head coach Sarah Ingram said in a press release.

The addition of the two teams brings the number of Lumberjacks teams competing at the NCAA Division-II level to 14.

“We are thrilled for this advancement of our program to offer a more robust student-athlete experience, to compete with the rest of the top performing teams in the country in the indoor season, and offer additional championship opportunities for our student-athletes,” Ingram added.

Competing at indoor events in the winter months is expected to benefit the athletes for the outdoor spring season.

“This preparation positions them to achieve better performance marks early in the outdoor season, thereby enhancing their chances of qualifying for postseason outdoor championships,” the press release read.

Humboldt becomes just the second university in the California Collegiate Athletic Association to field a men’s indoor team, joining Cal State LA. 

The Jacks will be one of seven CCAA schools to field a women’s team, joining Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, San Francisco State, Stanislaus State, Cal State San Marcos, and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“We are thrilled with the additional sponsorship of men’s and women’s indoor track and field,” Pettit said. “This addition reflects our commitment to offering a diverse array of sports, promoting development, and enhancing the overall student-athlete experience. We look forward to supporting our new indoor track and field teams and watching them excel both on and off the track.”

The Lumberjacks will kick off their inaugural indoor season in Spokane, Washington, on Dec. 9 at the Spokane Invitational.