COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Triathlon Foundation today announced the recipients of $17,000 in total grant funding through the first-ever USA Triathlon Foundation Collegiate Club Grant, distributed to select new and existing collegiate triathlon clubs to support their growth, development and sustainability for the 2019 season and beyond. 

Part of an ongoing recruitment and retention strategy for USA Triathlon collegiate clubs, the grant may support team travel, access to training facilities, equipment, coaching fees, race entry fees and other relevant costs.  

“USA Triathlon’s collegiate club program offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for student-athletes to race alongside their teammates and peers across the country. We know, however, that the training and travel can become expensive,” said David Deschenes, USA Triathlon Foundation Executive Director. “The Foundation is proud to support these deserving athletes and clubs as they chase their goals, and we hope to create lifelong triathletes in the process.”

Approximately 140 colleges and universities in the U.S. offer triathlon as a club sport, and 120 participated in the 2018 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The 2019 Collegiate Club Nationals are slated for April 5-6 in Tempe, Arizona. Collegiate club athletes also compete throughout the year in regional races taking place across USA Triathlon’s 10 Collegiate Triathlon Conferences.  

“The funding from this grant will be an invaluable resource to us, especially as we prepare to travel to Collegiate Club Nationals,” said Sophie Zilak, President of the Husky Triathlon Club at the University of Washington. “The club will now be able to support more triathletes, especially those with fewer financial resources, in traveling to and competing in this race. We could not be more excited for this opportunity."

“Collegiate students face a stiff financial burden that might prevent them from being exposed to triathlon, so it helps tremendously to have this support from the USA Triathlon Foundation,” said Tim McCurry, member of the newly-formed Parker Endurance Sports Club at Parker University in Dallas. “In only a few months, we've managed to bring nearly a dozen athletes to a major conference race, as well as build a consistent base of new and experienced triathletes attending weekly workouts. This grant will go a long way to enabling the club to grow and be successful.”

For additional information about the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club program, including how to start a club at your school, visit usatriathlon.org/collegiateclubs or contact Jessica Welk at jessica.welk@usatriathlon.org. 

2019 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club Grant Recipients 

New Clubs
Parker University Endurance Sports Club (Dallas, Texas)
Western Washington University Triathlon Club (Bellingham, Wash.)

Existing Clubs
Boston University Triathlon Team (Boston, Mass.)
Cal Poly Triathlon Team (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
Georgia Tech Triathlon Club (Atlanta, Ga.)
Husky Triathlon Club (University of Washington — Seattle, Wash.)
Maryland Triathlon (College Park, Md.)
Minnesota Triathlon Team (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Northeastern University Triathlon Team (Boston, Mass.)
SC Triathlon Club (University of Southern California — Los Angeles, Calif.)
Texas A&M Triathlon (College Station, Texas)
Texas Triathlon (University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas)
The University of Chicago Triathlon Club (Chicago, Ill.)
Triathlon Club at NC State (Raleigh, N.C.)
TriCats (University of Arizona — Tucson, Ariz.)
TriGators (University of Florida — Gainesville, Fla.)
UMass Triathlon Club (University of Massachusetts Amherst — Amherst, Mass.)
UNC-Chapel Hill Triathlon Club (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
University of Colorado Triathlon Club (Boulder, Colo.)
University of Delaware Triathlon Club (Newark, Del.)
University of Iowa Trihawks Triathlon Club (Iowa City, Iowa)
Wisconsin Triathlon Team (Madison, Wis.)
 
About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon, and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $1.9 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).