MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Montclair State University Athletic Department has announced it will add Men’s Cross Country as an NCAA Sport. The team will become the 20th varsity program offered by the University, with it set to begin competition in the Fall of 2027.
 
“We’re happy to re-introduce men’s cross country at Montclair State University,” Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics & Recreation Rob Chesney said. “The addition of the program will help expand and enhance what we are able to offer to prospective student-athletes in both cross country and also track & field.”
 
Montclair’s program will be led by Rich O’Connor, now in his fourth season overall in the department and second leading the cross country and track & field programs. During his time with the Red Hawks, he has sent four qualifiers to NCAA Championships for track & field along with Montclair’s first NCAA qualifier in the program’s modern era for women’s cross country.
 
“This is huge for our program,” O’Connor said. “This will allow us to go out and recruit some of the best distance runners in New Jersey and will bring a big boost to our track and field program as well. Our coaches, athletes, and alumni are excited to welcome back men’s cross country next fall. A big thank you to Rob Chesney, Dean Carter [Interim Vice President of Student Development], President Koppell, and the rest of our administration for helping to bring back men’s cross country to Montclair.”
 
The Red Hawks will become the ninth team in the New Jersey Athletic Conference to sponsor the sport, joining The College of New Jersey, Rowan, Stockton, Ramapo, New Paltz, Rutgers-Camden, Kean, and Rutgers-Newark.
 
Montclair will compete in cross country on the men’s side for the first time since 2004, and will kick off a full season of competition as a varsity program in 2027.