(St. George - Aug. 7, 2025) – Utah Tech Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer announced on Thursday the addition of a men's track & field program ahead of the 2026-27 academic year when the Trailblazers join the Big Sky Conference.  
 
With the addition of men's track & field, which begins on July 1, 2026, UT will now sponsor 16 intercollegiate athletic programs.  
 
"We are extremely pleased to bring on men's indoor and outdoor track & field," Beazer said. "We have the ability to provide student-athletes with the opportunities to compete and succeed at a high level, while getting a quality education in a remarkable environment."  
 
In an era where many institutions have made decisions to drop sports and eliminate opportunities, Utah Tech is in the enviable position to add a program that will transform the institution as a whole, providing the university with engaged student-athletes who will have positive impacts on campus culture in the classroom and on the track. 
 
The men's track & field program will begin competition in distance events during the 2026-27 indoor and outdoor seasons. Utah Tech will proceed with incremental additions in events and coaching staff in the coming years on the program's path to becoming a full-fledged men's track & field team. 
 
 
Utah Tech will join a strong track & field cohort in the Big Sky Conference with the Trailblazers representing the 11th men's track & field squad, joining Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Southern Utah and Weber State.  
 
Josh Thompson will serve as the first head coach of the men's distance track & field program, as well as head coach of the men's cross country team. Meanwhile, Justin Decker will remain as head coach of the Trailblazer women's cross country team and will continue to coach the women's distance track events.  
 
"I'm grateful to Utah Tech and the athletic department for the opportunity to lead the men's cross country and track programs, and I'm truly honored to step into this role," Thompson said. "My goal is to build a culture where athletes strive for greatness on the track, in the classroom and in life. We'll pursue excellence with passion, discipline and purpose, while also working to positively impact the Utah Tech community. The best is still ahead!" 
 
A former collegiate distance runner at Oklahoma State, Thompson won five individual Big 12 titles, qualifying for the NCAA Championships five times. In February 2016, Thompson became the first native Nevadan to run a mile in under four minutes, posting a time of 3:58.33 at the Husky Classic before going on to take fourth at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  
 
"I'm really excited about Josh Thompson, he's a high-caliber coach with remarkable experience and knowledge in the sport," Beazer said. "He has a great rapport with the student-athletes and fantastic contacts throughout the industry. I'm confident in his ability to build our men's team and lead them to success." 
 
After his collegiate career, Thompson signed a professional contract with Nike and joined the Bowerman Track Club in Portland, Oregon. Over his seven-year professional career, Thompson has competed in two World Championships and was a World Finalist in both the 2022 Indoor World 1,500 meters in Serbia and the 2022 Outdoor World 1,500 meters in Eugene, Ore.  
 
Earlier this month, Thompson competed at the 2025 USA Track and Field Championships in the 1500 meters, clocking a time of 3:52.04 in Eugene. 
 
Thompson's notable achievements include winning the 1,500 meters at The Match Europe vs. USA in 2019, the 2019 ISTAF Berlin and the 2020 USATF Indoor 1,500 meters. Thompson also earned silver in the 1,500 meters at the 2022 USATF Indoor Track & Field Championship. Thompson placed third in both the 2019 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2022 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He has qualified for 13 USATF National Championship meets and competed in the 2021 USA Olympic Trials, where he placed sixth in the U.S. 1,500 meters final. Thompson holds personal bests of 3:34.77 in the 1500 meters and 3:52.49 in the mile. 
 
Utah Tech cross country opens its 2025 season at the NAU George Kyte Classic in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Saturday, Aug. 30.