Valpo Begins Construction on New Track and Field Facility

vu72 · September 23, 2014, 11:45:42 AM

Awesome!!

VULB#62 · September 23, 2014, 12:48:58 PM

Great shot!

Quote from: valpopal on September 23, 2014, 11:40:13 AM
An overhead view of the finished track. The track team will host its first event in the spring.

Quote from: momofalex on September 22, 2014, 09:23:03 AM
We were on campus this past weekend to visit our son and also visited the track. The lines, etc. look great. Our only concern is whether there is room between the pole vault box and the 1st lane for the pit. Our son said the team has a standing argument between the sprinters and the vaulters as to what to do about it (give up lane 1 vs no vaulting)... seems like a basic booboo - our guess was that the pv boxes (one for each direction) will have to be moved "in" so as to make enough room for the new pits to fit, and still leave room for lane 1. A tape measure and some simple math is all that's needed.

Based on this photo, it would appear that, from the planting box to the first lane/steeple chase lane at the curve, there is roughly 30' (10 yards).

This is from Everything Track for NCAA requirements:
Minimum size 19'8"W x 21'5"L x 32"H with 16'5" padding behind plant box. Front portion of pit must be same width as back plus front sections must extend 5' toward runway from base sections. Common cover must cover the entire pit.

momofalex · September 23, 2014, 01:05:56 PM

I don't know what pit was purchased so don't know the dimensions, but looking at the UCS Spirit website (which may not be the correct brand but gives an idea) the length can range from 23' to 33'. I couldn't post a link, but the website is ucsspirit.com. Hoping it fits with no problems.

VULB#62 · September 23, 2014, 02:46:05 PM

Yes, I went there too prior to doing my reply to check on dimensions. I was shocked to see that pits are in the $10K-$23K price range and covers are $1K-$2K. My guess is that VU will go middle of the road in both price and size. If that is the case it should not compromise the running lane.

valpopal · November 12, 2014, 05:33:24 PM

The first home meet for Valpo to host at the new track has been scheduled. The inaugural Crusader Open will be held April 25.

valporun · November 12, 2014, 05:38:43 PM

It will be interesting to hear what teams are coming to this meet. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of teams sending kids that are not going to be making their conference team rosters, or small schools from around the region.

valpopal · December 31, 2014, 11:34:08 AM

Brandon shares some good news about 2016 as we get ready to begin 2015!

[tweet]550343211005538304[/tweet]

FWalum · December 31, 2014, 04:22:59 PM

That is great news!

valpotx · January 01, 2015, 04:15:14 AM

That's pretty cool to hear. Definitely a recruiting tool that we are now able to host the conference championships from time-to-time!

valporun · January 03, 2015, 08:28:20 PM

Quote from: valpotx on January 01, 2015, 04:15:14 AM
That's pretty cool to hear. Definitely a recruiting tool that we are now able to host the conference championships from time-to-time!

This is the reason why Coach Wingard kept trying to get Bill Steinbrecher to do something about a track. He wanted to be able to host a home meet or two, and then host the conference meet, but Steinbrecher wouldn't budge. Thankfully, Mark LaBarbera has found the importance in facilities for all of our programs. Conference championships can be an economic help to the area, with all the teams coming in for a weekend. It means restaurants, hotels, and entertainment benefit from these events. Just ask some of the restaurants and hotels around Valpo about the boom when VU hosts the softball or men's basketball championships. Even soccer helped with this, but not as much as softball and basketball.