Sun Devil Athletics receives grant to develop women's triathlon as emerging varsity sport

Thanks to a new grant, ASU will drive toward establishing women's triathlon as a new varsity sport over the next three years.

ASU will receive $140,000 over that time frame to help develop the program, which would be the first among the power five conferences at the Division I level. The Sun Devils were one of eight schools selected to receive the grant.

At the college level, a triathlon includes a 750m swim, a 20k bike and 5k run. To clarify, this is not tied to men's hockey as the added women's sport needed in accordance with Title IX.

"I want to thank USA Triathlon for selecting Sun Devil Athletics as a recipient of the emerging sport grant, but also, I'd like to thank again the donors that made this opportunity possible," Athletic Director Ray Anderson said in a statement. "The donors are obviously passionate about hockey but more important, they're passionate about providing new avenues to advance our student body, and for that we are grateful."

Tempe already hosts four triathlons every year as well an Ironman. USA Triathlon is the governing body which would support ASU if it does adopt the sport.

"We are in an unprecedented time within Sun Devil Athletics,"  Anderson said in a statement. "It is our responsibility to aggressively find unique and creative revenue streams to afford opportunities for students to receive an education from Arizona State and compete for Sun Devil Athletics, like the gift earmarked from the hockey donation."