OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Mid-America Christian University is adding men and women's cross country to its athletic program in the fall of 2008. Jerald Lewis will be the head coach of the two programs.      

"I am very excited to announce we will start cross country in the fall," MACU Athletic Director Willie Holley said. "This will bring our total to 10 intercollegiate sports at MACU."

Lewis, of Newcastle, was a four-year letterman in track and cross country at J.M. Tate High School in Gonzalez, Fla., and recorded the school's fastest time in the mile and half-mile run. He became a three-time state qualifier in the mile, half mile, and cross country, becoming the only runner in school history to win the district and county championship.

The 1999 MACU graduate went to Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. for a year on a track and cross country scholarship, before coming to MACU. He still holds the record for the school's third-fastest freshman in cross country. 

Lewis represented Florida in the 1986 Junior Olympics, and has participated in three marathons during the last four years.

"I am very excited to coach cross country at MACU," Lewis said. "I love the sport, and I love MACU. I have been running cross country since I was in eighth grade, and I have been playing or working at MACU for 15 years. For me, coaching cross-country at MACU is a great combination. Running cross country has taught me discipline and hard work. I want our student athletes to learn these same attributes through this sport."

MACU is the eighth Sooner Athletic Conference institution to offer men and women's cross country.