Roane State Community College

October 25, 2021

HARRIMAN, Tenn. – Roane State Interim Athletic Director David Lane has announced the addition of men’s and women’s cross country and half marathon teams to the school’s lineup of competitive sports. Both programs are slated to begin competition in the Fall of 2022.

Lane said, “This is an excellent opportunity for Roane State to expand our athletic program for both men and women.”

In announcing the new sport, Lane also announced current assistant women’s basketball coach Donnie Hall as head coach of the cross country programs. Lane noted Hall “has a great passion for not only for Roane State, but the student athletes and the community. I think this will be a wonderful connection.”

Hall, who grew up in Harriman and is a Roane State alum, is excited about the opportunity to lead the new programs. “Running is something you can do all your life. Whether running competitively or just for fun, it is something a person can do for all their lives.”

Hall said he is anxious to begin the recruiting process and looks forward to talking to high school cross country coaches and senior student-athletes who are interested in extending their competitive running careers.

Hall noted, cross country is both an individual and team sport where runners are judged on individual times and teams are judged on a points system.

The Raiders and Lady Raiders programs will be part of the NJCAA Division II and will compete against familiar, in-state rivals such as Cleveland St. and Walters St. Community Colleges, as well as many other collegiate cross country programs from around the region.

In addition to cross country, Hall noted “there are opportunities for men and women to compete in half marathons, as well.”

Lane concluded, “Adding cross country gets more students involved and also helps create a greater public image. It gives us another venue to expose all the great things here at Roane State.”

In cross country, teams and individuals run on outdoor courses over natural terrain, like dirt, grass or gravel. The typical course is 5 km (3.1 miles) for women and 8 km (4.97 miles) for men, although specific courses could be longer or shorter. Courses may pass through woods, open country, flat lands and hills and be run in various types of weather. The season takes place in the autumn and winter.

High school coaches and athletes interested in learning more about Raiders and Lady Raiders cross country are encouraged to contact Coach Hall by email at halldd1@roanestate.edu or call (865) 354-3000, ext. 4389.