Aug. 14, 2007

OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- After a seven-year hiatus, William Penn University will once again sponsor women's golf, beginning in the fall of 2008.

The last time Penn sponsored the program was during the 2000-2001 school year, but the sport was not continued when the institution transitioned from NCAA Division III to NAIA the following year.

Like the men, the women will compete at Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa as well as using the practice facilities at Harvest Point Golf Course.

The sport becomes the 16th intercollegiate varsity team at William Penn, joining baseball, competitive dance, football, men's and women's basketball, men's golf, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track, softball, volleyball, and wrestling.

"The decision to add women's golf was a very easy one," Acting Athletics Director Mike Christner said.  "This has been in the works for some time, but we now feel very confident that everything is in place to have success in this program.  There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this decision, on campus and off."

The addition of the sport by Penn makes it that all nine Midwest Classic Conference schools will now be able to compete in women's golf.  The NAIA currently sponsors 125 women's golf programs with the national championship contested in May.

"By adding women's golf, William Penn continues to show their commitment to athletics," MCC Commissioner Rick Sanders said.  "I am excited that we now have a full slate of teams competing in both men's and women's golf."

Current men's co-coaches Wade Steinlage and Steve Tucker will assist with the initial recruiting, while the search for a head coach will begin immediately.