Amanda Moore
Reporter

Milligan students will find a few more athletes on campus next year as the track and field and tennis programs expand.

Chris Layne, head coach for the cross country and track and field teams, said “We hope to bring in six men and six women for the first year and build from there.”

The additional athletes will compete in the sprint, jump, hurdle and throwing events, in addition to the distance events that Milligan has successfully participated in for several years, said Mark Fox, vice president of student and sports development.

Rohsann Griffin, a two-time NCAA champion at Louisiana State University and a professional track athlete, was hired to assist Coach Layne in recruiting and coaching sprinters, hurdlers and throwers.
However, even with the expansion of the track and field program, Layne does not foresee the addition of a track to Milligan’s campus anytime soon.

“I think it would be fantastic to have a track,” said Layne. “But that’s not necessary.” The team will continue to use the city facilities at Liberty Bell track in Johnson City.

The decision to expand Milligan’s track and field program stems from its success in the past as well as the addition of a number of track events to the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

“If our conference offers a sport, Milligan wants to be competitive in that sport,” Layne said. “The conference now offers a number of track events; so Milligan wants to offer them as well.”

With the completion of the new tennis courts, Milligan’s tennis team also plans to recruit about five more students for next year’s team. In addition, one full-time coach will be hired to work with both the men’s and women’s teams.

“(Men’s coach) Rich Aubrey and (women’s coach)Marvin Glover will finish coaching the tennis teams until the year is over, then we’ll hire a new tennis coach,” Fox said.

Along with the addition of new athletes and coaches, the track and field and tennis programs will receive increased amounts in scholarship funds.

“These programs will fund themselves by the additional students coming to Milligan,” said Fox. “The scholarships will be awarded the same as any of the other teams, but we’re not sure how many scholarships will be added.”

Fox said this athletic expansion is all part of a process to remain competitive in sporting events. “By adding on to the tennis and track and field programs, this will allow us to remain competitive for the Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy, which we’ve won for the past six years.”

Next in line for expansion are the men’s soccer and baseball teams. “We’re looking at expanding men’s soccer and baseball to include a JV team,” said Fox. “That’ll be next year.”