Triathlon An NCAA Emerging Sport Proposal
Triathlon is defined as a three-part sports discipline comprised of swimming, cycling and running. The three sports are contested as a continuous event without a rest.
History Triathlon history dates back to the early 1970s and originated with the San Diego Track Club. Triathlon was designed to be an alternative to hard track training. The first triathlon event was held on Sept. 25, 1974. In 1989, the sport was awarded Olympic status and was featured for the first time at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity. In 1989, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) was founded in Avignon, France, and the first official world championships were held. USAT held its first Collegiate National Championship in 1992 in Paso Robles, Calif., at the Wildflower Triathlon Festival. USA Triathlon USA Triathlon (USAT) is the National Governing Body for the sports of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States and falls under the umbrellas of the International Triathlon Union and the U.S. Olympic Committee. USA Triathlon coordinates grassroots and elite multisport events across the country and works to create interest and participation in those programs. USA Triathlon also writes the competition rules and trains officials for the races. USA Triathlon is the owner of the USA Triathlon National Age Group Championship and the National Collegiate Championship for triathlon. COLLEGIATE Triathlon Distances Intermediate / Olympic Format Swim: 1500 meters Bike: 40k (24.8 Miles) Draft Legal Run: 10k (6.2 miles) The collegiate triathlon distance is also the official distance used at the Summer Olympic Games and the ITU World Championship.
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logistics
existing Venues USA Triathlon has an established core of potential venues for future collegiate national championship events across the United States. Potential sites include: Austin, Texas Burlington, Vt. Clearwater, Fla. Cambridge, Md.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Denver, Colo. Des Moines, Iowa Ithaca, N.Y.
Lake Havasu, Ariz. Las Vegas, Nev. Lubbock, Texas Madison, Wis.
Myrtle Beach, S.C. New Orleans, La. Paso Robles, Calif. Pinehurst, N.C.
San Diego, Calif. Tempe, Ariz. Tuscaloosa, Ala.
scholarship USAT is proposing that triathlon be an equivalency sport with 3.5 scholarships per school. Competition would take place in the fall. The ideal squad size would be seven members, five of which would compete in an event for the team, while two spots would be reserved for injured athletes and future development. Draft legal CYCLING format that is spectator friendly The cycling portion of collegiate races would incorporate the popular draft legal format that is used in all current Olympic and ITU events. This style of racing emphasizes team tactics on the bike and is very spectator friendly as courses feature multiple loops that enable fans to easily see the athletes numerous times during the race. general public competitions, creating income and exposure Collegiate events can be held in conjunction with races for the general public, creating income and exposure for the sport. This format is popular in the elite ranks, with the open race held in the morning and the elite race starting afterward. The public competitors create a natural fan base.
photo by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Equipment and bikes will be regulated for safety and cost efficiency All equipment, including bicycles, will be regulated for safety and cost efficiency.
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Female participation numbers and the growth trends
USAT Membership Activity (full-year licenses)
150,000
USAT Sanctioned Competitive Events
1,500
2,804 2,300
2,000
3,115
129,227
2,500
58,073
53,254
30,000
47,373
40,299
60,000
3,000
2,000
84,787
90,000
100,674
120,000
120,407
3,500
1,000
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1995
1994
0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2009 USAT Membership Activity (full-year licenses)
Age Group
Female
% of Age Group
Male
% of Age Group
Total in Age Group
% of Membership
Under 16
13,131
47%
14,743
53%
27,874
22%
16-19
1,444
38%
2,339
62%
3,783
3%
20-29
6,146
41%
8,920
59%
15,066
12%
30-39
12,503
37%
21,116
63%
33,619
26%
40-49
10,939
33%
21,746
67%
32,685
25%
50-59
3,813
30%
8,909
70%
12,722
10%
60-69
620
21%
2,401
79%
3,021
2%
70-79
61
15%
344
85%
405
0%
80 +
9
17%
43
83%
52
0%
TOTAL
48,666
38%
80,561
62%
129,227 photo by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
1993
500 0
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USAT COLLEGIATe PARTICIPATION
USA Triathlon’s female membership has increased from 11 percent in the early 1990s to 38 percent in September 2009 (48,666). Female participation is even higher at the collegiate level as 42 percent (372 of the 880) of the athletes at the 2010 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship were women. Top Female teams from 2006-2010
University of California, San Diego University of Colorado, Boulder University of California, Berkeley United States Naval Academy University of California, Santa Barbara University of Montana University of Florida United States Military Academy Stanford University Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Colorado State University 2010 College Female Team Results
1.
Army
2.
Colorado
3.
Navy
4.
Cal
5.
Duke
6.
Texas A & M
7.
UC San Diego
8.
Cal Poly
9.
Wisconsin
2010 Women’s Undergraduate Collegiate Championship
1.
Name, School Jessica Broderick, Colorado
Swim Bike 6:36 1:13:23
Run 42:14
Time 2:05:18
1:12:32 1:15:43 1:10-:47 1:14:19 1:16:22
44:05 41:17 49:47 46:06 43:32
2:06:52 2:07:00 2:10:23 2:10:40 2:10:41
1:16:15 1:14:27 1:19:02
45:21 45:22 43:11
2:11:03 2:11:26 2:13:06
2. 3. 4.
Ashley Morgan, Army Lauren Goss, Clemson Meghan Lapeta, Illinois
5. 6.
Kathrine Warren, University of Cal, Santa Barbara Brittany Day, UCLA
7:21 6:57 7:06 6:41 7:09
7. 8. 9.
Alexandra Weber, Texas A & M Brittany Braden, Cal Poly Alexandra Gass, Navy
6:40 7:47 7:37
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
Morgan Anderson, Duke Tess Amer, Colorado Marcie Nordt, Army Elizabeth Milewki, Navy
8:47 8:26 7:26 8:02 Allison Johnston, University of Cal, Santa Barbara 7:36 Lauren Capone, University of Cal, Santa Barbara 7:22 Sarah Haight, Army 9:35 Samantha Clark, Auburn 7:21
18. Stacy Hauge, Illinois 19. Jessica Hafey, Navy 20. Kristiina Hill, University of Cal, Santa Barbara
1:17:21 42:22 2:13:23 1:15:41 43:06 2:13:47 1:16:48 42:55 2:13:58 1:19:01 43:17 2:15:17 1:18:24 45:53 2:15:34 1:22:06 41:35 2:16:43 1:17:37 46:13 2:18:07 1:16:43 50:58 2:18:41
7:49 1:21:18 45:04 2:19:00 7:49 1:19:20 48:10 2:19:29 6:41 1:19:10 49:44 2:20:02
10. Stanford
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photo by mario cantu / Šcimages
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photo by mario cantu / Šcimages
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official usa triathlon teams (clubs) & CONFERENCES
USAT Collegiate Conferences Florida Collegiate Triathlon Conference Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Triathlon Conference Midwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference Mideast Collegiate Triathlon Conference Northeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference
Northwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference Mountain Collegiate Triathlon Conference Southeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference South Midwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference West Coast Collegiate Triathlon Conference
USAT Club teams Arizona State University Cycling & Triathlon Club Auburn University — Auburn Triathletes Ball State University Triathlon Club Baylor Triathlon Club Boston University Triathlon Team Brigham Young University — BYU Triathlon Club Cal Poly Triathlon Team California State University of Long Beach Triathlon Team California State University, Los Angeles Triathlon Club California State University, Northridge California State University, San Marcos Centenary College Cycling Club Cerritos College Triathlon Club Clemson Triathlon Club Coe College Triathlon Team Colorado State University Triathlon Club Columbia University Triathlon Drake University Triathlon Club Drexel University Triathlon Team Duke University Edgewood College Triathlon Club Emory University Cycling and Tri Club FGCU Tri — Eagles (Florida Golf Coast University) Fresno State Triathlon Club Furman Triathlon Club George Mason University Georgetown University Triathlon Team Georgia Tech Triathlon Club Hope College Triathlon Club Indiana University Triathlon Club Iowa State University Triathlon Club James Madison University Triathlon Club Keene State College Triathlon Club LMU Triathlon Club — Loyola Marymount University LSU Tri Club — Louisiana State University Marquette University Triathlon Club Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Triathlon Club Miami University Triathlon Club Michigan State University Triathlon Club Middle Tennessee State University — MTSU Triathlon Club Minnesota State University Triathlon Club Missouri Triathlon Club New Mexico State University — NMSU Race Club North Carolina State University Triathlon Club
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Northeastern University Triathlon Team Northern Arizona University Tri — Jacks (NAU TriJacks) Northern Illinois University Triathlon Team (NIU) Ohio Northern University Multi — Sport Club Ohio State University Triathlon Club Ohio University Triathlon Club Oklahoma State University Triathlon Club Oklahoma University — Tulsa Triathlon Club Oregon State University Triathlon Club Penn State Triathlon Club Pitt Triathlon Club — University of Pittsburgh Point Loma Nazarene University Purdue University Triathlon Club Rice University Triathlon Club Riddle Tri Club — Embry Riddle San Diego State University Triathlon Club Santa Clara University Triathlon Team Sonoma State University Triathlon Club Southern Methodist University Stanford Triathlon Club Stevens Triathlon Club — Stevens Institute of Tech Syracuse University Triathlon Club Texas A & M Triathlon Team Texas Tech University Triathlon Team — Red Raiders Texas Triathletes — University of Texas at Austin Tri Frogs — Texas Christian University Triathlon Club at Central Michigan University Triathlon Club at San Jose State University Triathlon Club at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Trinity University UMD Triathlon Club — University of Maryland UNCW Triathlon — U of North Carolina, Wilmington United States Air Force Academy Triathlon Team United States Coast Guard Academy United States Naval Academy Triathlon Team University of Alabama — Alabama Triathletes University of Alabama, Birmingham — Tri Blazers University of Arizona Tri Cats Triathlon Club University of California, Berkeley Cal Triathlon University of California, Davis Triathlon University of California, Irvine Triathlon Club University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) University of California, Riverside Triathlon Club University of California, San Diego Triathlon Team
University of California, Santa Barbara Triathlon Club University of California, Santa Cruz Trislugs University of Central Florida Triknights Triathlon Club University of Colorado, Boulder Triathlon Team University of Colorado, Colorado Springs — UCCS University of Dayton Triathlon Club University of Florida Tri — Gators University of Georgia Triathlon Club University of Houston University of Illinois — Chicago University of Iowa Triathlon Club — Tri-Hawks University of Louisiana at Lafayette Triathlon Club University of Miami Triathlon Club Tri Canes University of Michigan Triathlon Club University of Minnesota Triathlon Team University of Montana University of New Mexico, Tri Lobos University of North Alabama Triathlon Club University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Triathlon Club University of North Texas Triathlon Team University of Richmond Triathlon Club University of South Florida — USF Tri Bulls University of Southern California (USC) Triathlon University of Tennessee Triathlon Club University of Texas at Arlington Triathlon Club University of Texas at El Paso University of Texas, Tyler — UT Tyler Multisport Club University of Vermont University of Virginia Triathlon Club University of Washington, Husky Triathlon Club University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Triathlon Club University of Wisconsin, Madison Triathlon UT Southwestern Triathlon Team Vanderbilt Triathlon Club Virginia Tech Triathlon Wartburg College Tri Team Washington University — WashU Triathlon Club West Point Triathlon Club Western Illinois University Triathletes Whitman College Triathlon Club Wolf Pack Triathlon Club — University of Nevada, Reno Yale Triathlon Club
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Currently, collegiate triathlon club teams compete within regional conferences. Each conference season is composed of races organized by several university teams. These races are also open to the public and often used as fundraisers for the host team. The public is encouraged to support collegiate triathlon by participating in these races and contributing to their alma maters. An example of the serious advancement of triathlon at the collegiate level can be found at the University of California, Los Angeles, which provides the first-ever scholarship program for triathlon in the nation. This program provides support, resources and expertise to talented triathletes who wish to develop their athletic ability while completing a first-class education. Current UCLA students Brittany Day and Brady O’Bryan were the recipients of the two scholarships available for the 2009 season. Brittany was a member of the UCLA swim team before switching to triathlon. Brittany finished fourth overall among females at the 2009 National Championships. Brady is a teen triathlon sensation from Texas whose goal is to become the youngest-ever winner of the Hawaii Ironman World Championships. The athletes attend many of the local Southern California events, including the Los Angeles Triathlon, the Malibu Triathlon and the new Playa Del Rey Triathlon, which is a benefit race for the UCLA and USC teams. They target success in the WCCTC, the USAT Collegiate National Championship and USAT Age Group National Championship. The scholarship provides each athlete with a personal coaching program from team head coach, Gareth Thomas, which includes regular lactate testing and video analysis. Furthermore, they are supported with regular physical therapy treatment from Pro Physical Therapy, receive pro bike fits and a full package of equipment including: nutrition products from PowerBar, Xterra wetsuits, eyewear and helmets from Rudy Project, and Powertap powermeters. They also receive a race expense budget. The scholarship program has been five years in the making. Over that time the UCLA team has grown from just a handful of members to a group of 60-plus athletes who regularly train together. Each week the team has between 6-9 hours of coached workouts, and each athlete does more training on their own. UCLA now has a performance development program and administrative support. The program’s aim is to attract funding to allow six more scholarships with even deeper support for the coming years. Future plans include building a triathlon-specific training center on campus and the acquisition of a vast range of equipment so that everyone who joins the team can train and race at an elite level. The launch of the program firmly establishes UCLA as a school to attend for the aspiring triathlete.
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Estimated Collegiate Triathlon Program Start-Up Costs
Administration/Office
Salary (Head & Assistant) Benefits IT (Computer, Peripherals) Telecommunications (Land line/mobile) Paper, Copies, Office Supplies Total Admin/Office Recruiting Travel Campus Visits Total Recruiting
COST:
$70,000 $8,000 $1,500 $2,000 $500 $82,000 $5,000 $3,000 $8,000
Scholarships Tuition $4,000 Fees $1,750 Room $5,500 Board $3,500 Books $450 Total Scholarship Cost (per athlete) $15,200 Team Scholarship Cost (3.5 Scholarships) $53,200 Equipment (per athlete) Bike Expenses Bike: Allowance $500 Race Wheels * $500 Maintenance/Mechanic Allowance $175 Indoor Bike Trainiers * $150 Travel Bike Box * $150 * One Time Expenses General Team Gear
Race Uniform Training Apparel Warm-ups Swim Gear / Wet Suit Cycling Shoes Running Shoes (Training & Racing) Misc. Equipment Total Equipment Cost (per athlete) Travel Airfare Ground Transportation Bike Fees Lodging Meals Total Travel Cost (Per Person Per Trip)
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$100 $150 $100 $225 $100 $200 $100 $2,450 $450 $50 $150 $100 $120 $870
TOTALS
Administrative Administration/Office: $82,000.00 Recruiting: $8,000.00 ADMINISTRATIVE TOTAL: $90,000.00 Scholarship Scholarships (3.5 per team): $53,200.00 SCHOLARSHIP TOTAL: $53,200.00 Team (Based on 7 Athletes) Equipment: $17,150.00 Travel (2 Flying Trips) $12,180.00 Travel (3 Driving Trips (.35 x Flying)) $6,394.50 TEAM TOTAL: $35,724.50 ESIMATED START-UP COST: $178,924.50
CONTACT INFORMATION
USA TRIATHLON Jeff Dyrek USAT National Events Director P: 719.955.2815 jeff@usatriathlon.org
Scott Schnitzspahn USAT Sport Performance Director P: 719.955.2817 scott@usatriathlon.org
Brad Hecker Director / ACC Women’s Basketball P: (336) 854-8787 bhecker@theacc.org
photo ITU/Delly Carr
1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 250 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907 P: 719.597.9090 F: 719.597.2121 www.usatriathlon.org
Jasmine Oeinck Former University of Georgia studentathlete. 2009 Elite National Champion.
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Prepared by USA Triathlon June 2010