Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU Department of Athletics announced Friday the reinstatement of men's cross country as its 17th intercollegiate athletic program. The Colonials will begin competition in the sport in the Horizon League beginning with the 2021 season.

Bryan Delsite, who was named head coach of the women's cross country and track & field programs in June, will serve as head coach.

Delsite, a native of Elysburg, Pa., spent the last seven seasons as an assistant at Bucknell prior to being hired to lead the RMU programs. He coached 34 All-Patriot League performers during his tenure with the Bison, and between 2014 and 2019 Bucknell claimed five Patriot League women's cross country championships.

In addition to his time as an assistant coach with the Bison, Delsite served as head coach of the men's and women's cross country and track & field programs at Duquesne from 1998 to 2013. Named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year four times while leading the Dukes, Delsite is a 1993 graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and food management.

RELATED: RMU Men's Cross Country Recruiting Questionnaire

RMU sponsored men's cross country for 28 years from 1986 to 2013, with the Colonials claiming ECAC Metro Conference championships in both 1986 and 1987. In addition to a pair of team championships, RMU finished in the top five at the Northeast Conference (NEC) men's cross country championships 14 times.

Former harrier Steve Uhing, a 1994 inductee into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame, claimed the 1987 ECAC Metro individual championship and was a two-time all-conference (1986, 1987) honoree. In all, a total of 11 Colonials earned All-Northeast Conference (NEC) accolades a total of 15 times between 1986 and 2013.

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