FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 9, 2025) – Northern Arizona University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Uri Farkas has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Track & Field/Cross Country Oversight Committee. Farkas will serve as the Big Sky Conference's representative, following a recommendation from Commissioner Tom Wistrcill. His term will run from August 2025 through August 2028.
The NCAA Cross Country and Track & Field Committees are responsible for selecting teams and individuals for national championships, establishing and reviewing qualifying criteria, and overseeing the conduct and administration of championships across their respective divisions.
"I am humbled and honored to represent not just NAU and the Big Sky Conference, but also serve the great leaders and student-athletes in these sports," said Farkas. "I am extremely excited to hit the ground running in this role."
Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill praised NAU Athletics for their athletic success, noting Farkas' reputation as a forward-thinking administrator.
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Uri Farkas will be an excellent addition to the Cross Country/Track & Field Oversight Committee as a representative of Northern Arizona University and the entire Big Sky Conference," Wistrcill said. "NAU has a long, storied history of success in these disciplines, which makes Uri uniquely qualified to serve in this capacity, and the leadership he's shown as a member of the administration in Flagstaff has prepared him for an appointment like this."
NAU's cross-country programs have built a championship-level brand and program. The Lumberjack men's team has captured 15 of the last 17 Big Sky Championships, while the women's program has won six consecutive conference titles. Both programs have consistently ranked among the nation's top 10.
Adding to the Lumberjacks' dominance, the Northern Arizona men's and women's track and field teams each placed first at the 2025 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Championships. With those victories, NAU completed the prestigious calendar sweep, winning conference titles in men's and women's cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.