Big news coming out of St. Cloud, Minnesota! St. Cloud State University is bringing back men's and women's golf, along with men's cross country, for the 2026-27 season. This is a major win for the Huskies' athletics department, which will now offer a total of 20 sports—eight for men and twelve for women.
The school is on the hunt for a new head coach to lead both golf programs, as well as an assistant coach for track & field and cross country to support the distance runners. "We are excited to be bringing these programs back to SCSU along with some roster enhancements that will provide additional opportunities for our students," said athletic director Holly Schreiner. "We are extremely appreciative of the university's support and commitment to providing a great experience for all St. Cloud State student-athletes."
This revival is especially meaningful for the golf programs, which were cut in 2020. Men's golf has a storied history at SCSU, having been sponsored for 84 seasons (from 1931-32 to 2019-20, with a pause during WWII). The team racked up 11 conference championships, including back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate titles in 2013 and 2014, and made 13 straight NCAA regional appearances from 2002 to 2014. They even advanced to the NCAA Championships twice, in 2004 and 2006.
The women's golf team, sponsored from 1975 to 2020, also left its mark with three NCAA regional appearances from 2002 to 2004 and a standout eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 2004. Meanwhile, men's cross country—sponsored from 1964 to 2015—boasts 11 conference titles and national runner-up finishes at the 1967 NAIA and 1983 NCAA Division II finals. Individually, 11 Huskies earned All-American status 22 times, with Van Nelson (1965-67) and Kurt Threinen (1982) achieving the highest individual finishes at third overall.
With these programs back in action, St. Cloud State is clearly committed to building on its rich athletic legacy. Whether you're a former Huskies golfer, a cross country alum, or just a fan of college sports comebacks, this is a story worth celebrating. And for those of us who love the gear, you can bet we're looking forward to seeing those Huskies colors back on the course and trails!