OSU to bring back track and field

A new track and field facility funded by alumni and outside donations will expand athletic programs

By: Gail Cole

Posted: 7/23/08

Beaver fans will soon have another reason to cheer.

OSU will build a track and field facility that is expected to be available for use in 2010. Along with the new track facility, there are plans for the expansion of the women's track and field program as well as the eventual reintroduction of the men's program.

The facility will be located next to the softball field on Western Boulevard. The initial facility will hold seating for 1,500 and will also hold large areas for spectators to stand during events.

"Over time the seating can be increased," said Kelly Sullivan, head coach of women's track and field and cross country. "You can actually go up and add another 1,500 [seats]."

"It would allow us to grow as the program grows," said Doug Oxsen, Beaver Athletic Student Fund Regional Director.

With the new facility, OSU hopes to host a variety of track and field events, such as home and state championship high school meets.

The plans for the new track facility have been in the works for several years, "We've reinstated the women's track and cross country program four years ago," Oxsen said about the initial planning for the track and field facility and expanded program.

"To field a complete team requires a facility. Obviously the thought was in the back of [our] minds."

Both men's and women's teams were removed in 1988 for budgeting reasons, according to compiled information about the history of OSU's track and field teams on the Alumni Association website.

OSU hired its first men's track coach in 1905 and began competing in 1906. The women's track and field program was added in the mid-1970s.

The Alumni page stated that OSU's past track and field teams were very successful. The men's teams had very strong years in the mid-1920s and late 1960s and won the NCAA championship in 1961.

Currently the women's team has encountered challenges in not having their own competition facilities, thus having to practice "wherever they can," according to Oxsen.

"From a competition standpoint, they travel and go to various invitationals," Oxsen said.

Practicing for the steeplechase event is especially difficult for the women's team, since the nearest steeplechase training facilities are located in Eugene and Monmouth. According to Oxsen, the steeplechase is a 3,000-meter event in which athletes encounter large hurdle-like barriers and pools of water during the race.

The track facilities and expanded teams will be funded by outside donations, such as from alumni and private organizations. There will be no additional student fees for the new facilities and teams.

"There are some people who are interested in seeing the program come back," Oxsen said. "There are some corporations who are interested in helping us out."

Though the facilities are expected to be completed in 2010, the men's program will not be introduced until later for various reasons, such as for the time needed to recruit athletes and hire a coaching staff.

"We're probably looking at 2012 and 13 for the time we start competing," Oxsen said of the men's team.

Sullivan said the men's team will first begin competing in distance events, much like the current women's team. The expanded women's team will eventually begin participating in shorter distance and field events.

Oxsen said many female students took a great interest in being a part of the women's program when it was first introduced.

"When we started the women's program here, people from around campus just contacted [Coach Sullivan]," Oxsen said. "There were some awfully good runners who were attending Oregon State."

Sullivan, who, according to OSU's track and field website, was hired in 2004 as the first women's head coach in 16 years, is happy to have the opportunity to build up both men's and women's programs.

"To be a part of that has been really exciting for me," Sullivan said. "It's really been an honor."