HBU HIRES FUQUA TO LEAD TRACK PROGAM
May 15 — Theresa
Fuqua has been hired to lead the NCAA Division I track program at Houston
Baptist University. The announcement was made by HBU President Robert B.
Sloan Jr. and director of athletics Ron Cottrell. Fuqua comes to HBU after
12 years as head cross country and assistant track and field coach at the
University of Houston.
"NCAA membership will provide
exciting opportunities and greater visibility for the University," said
Sloan. "With the addition of the men's and women's track program, six
new sports will be added in keeping with our application for NCAA membership.
The track program will bring added value to our University athletics and to our
student recruitment efforts."
HBU, which made the
announcement last month that it will be rejoining NCAA Division I athletics,
will add cross country and track and field for men and women to begin competing
in the 2007-08 academic year. Fuqua will lead the Huskies’ program which
has been dormant since leaving Division I in 1990.
“We are very excited to
have Theresa join our staff,” said director of athletics Ron Cottrell.
“She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Houston area which
will help her greatly as she recruits entire teams to restart the track program
at HBU.”
Fuqua was named Conference
USA Coach of the Year in 2004 after leading the Cougars to their first
conference championship since 1960. Prior to joining the Cougars’ staff,
Fuqua was head cross country and assistant track and field coach at Houston’s
Episcopal High School.
A record-setting track
athlete herself, Fuqua was a four-time All-America and a two-time track and
field MVP for the Cougars and holds the current UH records in the indoor mile
and the outdoor 800 and 1,500 meters. Fuqua also qualified for the Olympic
Trials in the 800 and 1,500 meter events.
“Not only is it exciting
to be the head coach for men’s and women’s track, but to start a program
from its inception and watch it grow is an incredible opportunity,” said
Fuqua. “To be coaching at a Christian-based institution is great.
There are so many possibilities.”
Fuqua’s husband Jerry was
a track athlete at Rice, and the couple has a nine-year-old son, Miles.
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