FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sean Farnsworth, Sports Information Director
Office: (315) 498-2379
Email: [email protected]
January 15, 2015
Onondaga Community College to Add Outdoor Track and Field
Syracuse, NY – The Onondaga Community College Athletics Department announces an expansion of its athletic
teams to include men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. These programs will be introduced in the 2015-16
academic year and include hurdles, long jump, and triple jump in the first year with additional track and field
elements to be added over time.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to impact students who have a passion for track and field sports” said Director
of Athletics, Michael Borsz. “Track and field is a natural fit for Onondaga Community College given the College’s
amazing facilities, dedicated coaching staff, and interest from the community. I can’t wait to start competing.”
Onondaga’s premier facilities, including the SRC Arena and Events Center, which boasts a six-lane track and nearly
60,000 square feet of practice space, will allow student-athletes the opportunity to train year round.
Robin Wheeless, currently Onondaga’s Cross-Country Head Coach, has been tapped to guide the outdoor track and
field teams as well.
“I am excited to add track and field to our athletic programs at Onondaga” said Wheeless. “With all the outstanding
high school talent here in Central New York, I believe track and field can experience the kind of success enjoyed by
Onondaga's other outstanding athletic programs.”
Onondaga will become the fourth member of Region III to add track and field, joining Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes
and Herkimer County Community Colleges, all of which compete at the Division III level. Onondaga will now offer 17
varsity sports competing at the National Junior College Athletic Association level.
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Onondaga Community College is Central New York’s second largest undergraduate college with more than 12,000
students. Onondaga is a two-year college operating under the State University of New York (SUNY) system, and is
locally sponsored by Onondaga County. Located on a bustling 280-acre campus atop Onondaga Hill, the community’s
college remains dedicated to serving the needs of students in ways that help them to explore, discover, and
transform. The College is home to the eight-time NJCAA national champion men’s lacrosse team and the two-time
NJCAA national champion women’s lacrosse team. The men’s team won its sixth consecutive national title in 2014.
The women last won the national title in 2012. The Lazers have also earned national titles in men’s tennis and men’s
basketball. Onondaga now has 17 intercollegiate men’s and women’s athletic teams. Follow Lazers’ athletics at
www.onondagalazers.com or on Twitter @OnondagaLazers.