Olympic Gold Medalist & World Record Holder Sunder Nix Two-Time All American Robert Thomas

March 27, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are launching a masters track and field program, for athletes over the age of 30, as part of the club's commitment to meeting the goals of USA Track & Field's Club Revitalization Task Force Initiatives. Founding members of the Invaders Masters Team are Olympic Gold Medalist Sunder Nix and All-American Robert Thomas. Nix and Thomas will represent the Invaders at the USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston, MA on March 28-30, 2003.

Nix, a graduate of Indiana University, has a legendary background as a six time All-American, six-time Big Ten Champion at 440 yards, NCAA Champion at 600 yards ('83), World Championship Bronze Medalist - 400 ('83), US National Champion - 400 ('83), and as a gold medalist as the leadoff leg of the 1600 meter relay team at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. Nix continues to hold the World Record in 440 yards indoors (46.40) set in 1984. Nix was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1994, Nix won the 800 title at the USA National Indoor Championships. Nix commented, "I want to compete really well this weekend and have a good chance of winning. I want to let people know that there are masters programs nationwide and that the Invaders are taking the lead within our community."

Thomas, a graduate of Southwestern Michigan Community College, was a two-time All-American. Thomas, competing in his fourth masters championship, said "My goal this weekend is to win all the races I'm in [60, 200, 400, 800]." Thomas has won both the 200 & 400 in his previous three appearances in addition to winning the 60 last year. Thomas currently works with several of the Invaders' elite sprinters and plays a key role in the Invaders' mission of supporting athletes committed to the pursuit of national and international athletic success.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "This is a historic moment for the growth and development of the Indiana Invaders program and we are very fortunate to start the program with a couple of great ambassadors for our club, our sport, and our community." Harger added, "We will have a fully operational Masters program in place to serve all Masters ages and events by the end of this summer and after we build our roster base, we will look to create and bid for Masters T&F events to be held in Indiana in the near future."

The masters program, which will be implemented by the Invaders this fall will be made available to athletes, over the age of 30, that live in the realm of the Indiana Association of USA Track & Field.

USA Track & Field's Club Revitalization Mission Statement:
"To expand and broaden opportunities for America's track & field athletes to continue their participation and development outside of and beyond our school-based programs through USATF clubs."

For masters development, the initiatives address the needs of older individuals wanting to remain fit and competitive, and provides an environment for these like-minded individuals to train together.

The initiatives support the fitness and competitive needs of all individuals, of all ages, in communities throughout the country via USATF association-based clubs.

The Invaders, in addition to hosting the USA Club Track & Field Championships this July, will release additional details on the team's elite development programs and youth league formation in coming weeks. Additional details on the masters program will be released later this fall.

USA Track & Field Club Revitalization Initiatives:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/releases/02/02-10-04tr.asp

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (email)