CALIFORNIA (Aug. 19) – With the purchase of 98 acres in May by the Student Association, Inc. (SAI), California University of Pennsylvania will be utilizing a new cross country course on campus starting in the 2010 season.

“The University is a tremendous supporter of the cross country and track & field teams, and this has been proven yet again by the construction of our new cross country course,” said head men's and women's cross country coach Daniel Caulfield. “This year, we are very excited to not only host our annual cross country meet, which will from this point forward be named in honor of longtime Cal U coach and educator Marty Uher, but we're extremely proud to be able to host the PSAC Championships in November.”

The 98-acre purchase came at a cost of $1.1 million and increases the overall size of the Cal U campus by 50 percent.

"Cal U's enrollment has reached record levels for 12 consecutive years, and we anticipate further growth in the years ahead," said President Angelo Armenti, Jr., in May. "Expansion of Cal U's main campus is limited by its location between the river and the town, but this parcel expands the recreation area available for our students.”

The course starts and finishes at Roadman Park, but includes new University property which has been constructed specifically for cross country. The terrain is a mixture of rolling hills on grass and slag with one road crossing which will be covered by artificial grass.

The Vulcans are set to debut the new course in the coming weeks, as they host four races as part of the Marty Uher Invitational on Sept. 4.

Note: Uher was a 2009 inductee into the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.