EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday that Track & Field and Cross Country head coach Dave Hartman is leaving the university to accept an assistant coaching position at Lamar University.
 
“The unfortunate timing of Coach Hartman's departure does not erase the positive things he has accomplished with both the Track & Field and Cross Country programs during his tenure,” UTPA Director of Athletics Chris King said. “We appreciate his efforts with the Broncs.”
 
Assistant coach Xavier Richardson, who is in his third year at UTPA, will assume leadership of the indoor and outdoor Track & Field programs as the interim head coach for the Spring 2012 semester.
 
“We are very proud of the outstanding student-athletes in both our Track & Field and Cross Country programs,” King said. “We will do whatever is necessary to make sure they continue to have a positive experience and compete successfully for the Broncs.”
 
The Broncs open the indoor season on Friday and Saturday at the Texas Tech Invitational.
 
The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics competes at the NCAA Division I classification. UTPA, formerly known as Pan American College and Pan American University, is a part of the University of Texas System of Schools. The Broncs compete in 14 varsity sports; men's and women's basketball, golf, tennis, track and field, and cross country, along with women's volleyball and men's baseball. In 1963, then known as Pan American College, the Broncs men's basketball program won the NAIA National Championship with a 73-62 victory over Western Carolina. In 2008, UTPA joined the new all-sports division of the Great West Conference.