Northern Kentucky University as announced the addition of six new sports programs, the first time the university has added to its roster since 1997.Starting next athletic season, 2024/25, NKU will field men’s and women’s swimming programs, men’s and women’s triathlon programs and a women’s stunt program.The university says men’s volleyball will be added to the school’s roster for the 2025/26 season.According to the school, all programs, with the exception of men’s triathlon, will begin as varsity sports. Men’s triathlon will start as a club sport offering.“This is an exciting day to be a Norse,” said Christina Roybal, NKU Athletics Director. “The addition of these programs furthers our commitment to providing diverse opportunities for students and enriching the overall collegiate experience at NKU.” With the added programs, NKU will see it’s athletic roster grow to 22 varsity teams, more than Cincinnati and Xavier, both of which offer fewer than 20 athletic programs, and in a similar count as Kentucky (23) and Louisville (21). NKU’s addition of women’s triathlon would make it the second program in the state, along with Transylvania University (Division III). The Norse’s men’s volleyball team would be the third such program in the state, along with Thomas More University and Kentucky State University, both of which are Division II programs.When the university’s Stunt program – a discipline of “cheer” that features two programs competing head-to-head in a 45-60 minute game – launches, it’ll be just the second in Kentucky, along with UK.”All of these moves are being done to help NKU increase enrollment, to increase campus vitality and to continue to build excitement surrounding Northern Kentucky University,” the school said in a press release. “It will also greatly expand the chance for high school students throughout the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati tri-state area to have an opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level.”According to the university, all new sports will utilize already existing NKU facilities, both for practice and competition to help minimize start up costs. A national search for coaching staffs will begin immediately.The last two sports to be added to NKU’s roster were women’s soccer and women’s golf.
Northern Kentucky University as announced the addition of six new sports programs, the first time the university has added to its roster since 1997.
Starting next athletic season, 2024/25, NKU will field men’s and women’s swimming programs, men’s and women’s triathlon programs and a women’s stunt program.
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The university says men’s volleyball will be added to the school’s roster for the 2025/26 season.
According to the school, all programs, with the exception of men’s triathlon, will begin as varsity sports. Men’s triathlon will start as a club sport offering.
“This is an exciting day to be a Norse,” said Christina Roybal, NKU Athletics Director. “The addition of these programs furthers our commitment to providing diverse opportunities for students and enriching the overall collegiate experience at NKU.”
With the added programs, NKU will see it’s athletic roster grow to 22 varsity teams, more than Cincinnati and Xavier, both of which offer fewer than 20 athletic programs, and in a similar count as Kentucky (23) and Louisville (21).
NKU’s addition of women’s triathlon would make it the second program in the state, along with Transylvania University (Division III).
The Norse’s men’s volleyball team would be the third such program in the state, along with Thomas More University and Kentucky State University, both of which are Division II programs.
When the university’s Stunt program – a discipline of “cheer” that features two programs competing head-to-head in a 45-60 minute game – launches, it’ll be just the second in Kentucky, along with UK.
“All of these moves are being done to help NKU increase enrollment, to increase campus vitality and to continue to build excitement surrounding Northern Kentucky University,” the school said in a press release. “It will also greatly expand the chance for high school students throughout the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati tri-state area to have an opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level.”
According to the university, all new sports will utilize already existing NKU facilities, both for practice and competition to help minimize start up costs. A national search for coaching staffs will begin immediately.
The last two sports to be added to NKU’s roster were women’s soccer and women’s golf.