One of UMass Boston’s most storied athletic programs returns for the spring of 2007.

Men’s and women’s outdoor track and field will make its return after a six-year hiatus from competition.

The women’s program was nothing short of dominant during the mid 1980’s with four top-five team finishes at the NCAA outdoor championships from 1985-88, including a national title in 1986. The women’s outdoor program has also produced 47 All-America performances and 10 individual national titles in less than 20 years of existence. The Beacons currently still hold a pair of NCAA outdoor championship records with Genesia Eddins’ 53.45 time in the 400 meters and the 1988 1,600 relay team’s mark of 3:40.76 each standing the test of time.

The men’s program has also enjoyed its share of successes, placing 30th at the 1997 NCAA outdoor championships, paced by All-American shot putter Rob Grieco.

The outdoor track and field program was discontinued following the 2001 season, but in 2005 there was a groundswell of support and interest in resurrecting the program at UMass Boston. A club team was started and in 2006, the UMB track club grew to 35 members, which included multiple top-ten performances at the Northeastern Solomon Track Meet, competing against Division I, II and III teams. The Beacons have a strong core of sprinters and jumpers and are comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, which bodes well for the stability of the program as it looks for a return to national prominence.