BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings announced on Tuesday, January 23^rd that it will discontinue the sport of triathlon at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year. Enrolled student-athletes who currently compete in the sport will retain their triathlon scholarships throughout the remainder of their anticipated four-year triathlon athletic eligibility, or completion of their degree (whichever occurs sooner).
 
The decision to discontinue women's triathlon, an emerging sport in the NCAA, will help realign Montana State University Billings to better support its current and long-term goals and to provide better financial stability moving forward.
 
"First and foremost, I would like to thank coaches Kevin Bjerke and Dan Lavy, and all of our triathlon student-athletes over the past five years for the effort and commitment they poured into our triathlon program," said MSUB Director of Athletics Michael Bazemore. "Through careful analysis and discussions of the athletic department's resources over the past few years, it is with great sadness that we have come to this difficult decision. While we are constantly evaluating the metrics to provide a quality experience for all of our student-athletes, this tough decision better helps our department align with the resources we currently have at our disposal to better meet this goal."
 
MSUB announced the decision to add women's triathlon in 2018, with the first season beginning in the fall of 2019. As a new member of this emerging sport, MSUB triathlon was operating under a five-year grant which partially funded the program during this trial period. In 2014, the NCAA and USA Triathlon reached a 10-year agreement to add women's triathlon as an emerging sport. This summer, the conclusion of the 10-year trial window, the NCAA will evaluate the viability of women's triathlon and will decide upon its future. After 10 years, the sport was given the goal of 40 varsity programs throughout the NCAA or maintaining 'steady progress towards that goal' in helping decide the future of women's triathlon.
 
Per NCAA rules, the student-athletes impacted by the discontinuation of the sport at MSU Billings can be immediately eligible if they transfer to another institution.
 
"As we enact this decision, we remain committed to supporting our impacted student-athletes holistically to ensure their continued success," added Bazemore.
 
Although MSUB Triathlon may have a shorter history, Madisan Chavez from Crow Agency, MT was one of the cornerstones of the program. Chavez was the first triathlete in program history as she joined the team in 2019 under new coach Kevin Bjerke. She was also the first student-athlete to qualify for the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships and to compete in three total NCAA Championships. Chavez graduated from MSUB in May of 2023 with a degree in Environmental Studies.