CASTLETON – Castleton State College President Dave Wolk announced today that the college will introduce football beginning in the fall of 2009.

“An analysis over the past year has convinced us that adding football to our offerings provides many benefits,” Wolk said. “Our investment in student-athletes has been an important part of
Castleton’s growth in numbers and in quality. We expect good sportsmanship and exemplary citizenship, and our student-athletes have higher grade point averages, retention rates, and graduation rates than the general student population.”

With the addition of football, Castleton will offer 20 varsity sports. The college is a member of NCAA Division III and does not offer athletic scholarships.

Castleton competes in the North Atlantic Conference, which recently added football as a conference sport. Castleton becomes the seventh member to sponsor football in the NAC, along with Becker College, Gallaudet University, Husson College, SUNY Maritime College, Mount Ida College, and Norwich University.

Wolk said, “I know the Norwich rivalry will grow and flourish as it as in many other sports. The inauguration of football will generate a new level of interest and excitement on campus, in Rutland County, and across Vermont.”

The decision to add football follows the announcement in October of a 25.7 million project that includes an enlarged and renovated Campus enter and a small stadium with a lighted, artificial turf field, which can be used for many intercollegiate and intramural sports, including football.

Athletic director Deanna Tyson said, “It is exciting to have football added as our 20th varsity sport. It is a good fit all around. Students are interested; we have plans for new facilities; and the North Atlantic Conference has just added football.”

Wolk said that the college plans to hire a head coach in the near future, with a start date of July 1, 2008. “We will search for a top-notch coach who is committed to motivating and educating our student-athletes not only on the playing field, but more importantly, in the classroom and community,” he said.