PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Recruitment is about to get under way at Ursuline College for a few good men who want to be part of school athletic history. It was announced Oct. 31 that Ursuline will, for the first time, field men’s athletic teams.
Those teams will compete in NCAA Division II cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field. The men’s teams will begin competition in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in the fall of 2025. Historically a women’s college, Ursuline has enrolled men since 1969.
The College is now seeking to build upon the success it enjoyed with the indoor national championship won in March by nursing student Alaysia Brooks in the 800-meter run. “The addition of men’s teams is a major step in the growth of the Ursuline Arrows athletic program,” said Athletic Director Cindy McKnight, in an Ursuline press release. “Men’s cross country along with indoor and outdoor track & field is a wonderful complement to our current athletic and academic offerings.
“We are excited to bring the Arrows name into men’s sports within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and I am confident that they will continue our Arrows’ tradition within the NCAA.” Ursuline is promoting Alaric Best to the position of director of cross country and track & field, and Joe Caraciolo to head men’s cross country and track & field coach. Best joined the Arrows’ athletics department in 2015, while Caraciolo, an Arrow since 2021, will also continue to serve .