Oakland University’s athletics program is set to expand with the school’s announcement today that men’s and women’s indoor track and field will be added to the athletics program. The addition of the two sports will bring the total number of sports offered by OU to 18.

Both sports will compete in the Mid-Continent Conference with the school’s other programs and will begin in the 2007-08 school year. Paul Rice, who is OU’s cross country and outdoor track and field coach, will also coach the indoor program.

The addition of the sport at Oakland University fulfills an interest expressed by prospective and current students.

The indoor track and field teams elevate OU chances for the Mid-Continent Conference All-Sports Award, which is given to an athletics program in the Mid-Con based on points received for titles within a number of sports.

For more information on OU’s Division I sports teams, visit the OU Athletics Web site.