The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Receives Approval for New Track and Field Venue
4/6/2018 3:02:00 PM | Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the final stages allowing UAB to build a new outdoor track and field venue Friday afternoon at their quarterly board meeting.
"The UAB Department of Athletics would like to thank the UA System Board of Trustees for approving our new track and field complex which will continue to enhance our program and our university as a whole," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "The continued growth of our campus and athletic department specifically means a great deal to the city of Birmingham as we expand our national footprint. For the first time in our track and field program's 33-year history, it will have a world class, competitive track to practice and compete on. This will allow us to host events of different levels from around the city, state and region. It will also be a great asset to our student body, faculty, staff and citizens of Birmingham who will also have utilization of the track."
The facility will have a Mondo track surface with eight lanes and each lane being 48 inches in width. The track features dual straights with discus, javelin and shot put throwing space on the infield. The hammer cage and jumps will be located just outside the oval track.
The new track will be capable of hosting NCAA, conference and high school level meets. With the approval, construction will begin this summer.
It will be located adjacent to the renovated BBVA Compass Field and the two facilities will share the press box, concessions stand and parking space. Food trucks will also be able to park along the walkway between the soccer field and track.
"We couldn't be more excited about getting our new track and field facility, UAB has never had a track facility," head coach Kurt Thomas said. "It is going to be beautiful and Mark Ingram, President Ray Watts and Allen Bolton have done a wonderful job putting all of this together. The UA System Board of Trustees have given us their blessing and we're looking forward to having a home for track and field."
The project was made possible from a gift pledged by long time UAB Athletics supporter Steve DeMedicis.
"Running on my high school track team was an important turning point in my life. I was fortunate to have trained under a couple of outstanding track coaches, Stan Pitts and Larry Layman, and I have used lessons I learned from them my entire life," Steve DeMedicis said. "Helping UAB with funds towards their new track facility is just a small way I can give back and acknowledge how important running track was to me personally."
"The UAB Department of Athletics would like to thank the UA System Board of Trustees for approving our new track and field complex which will continue to enhance our program and our university as a whole," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "The continued growth of our campus and athletic department specifically means a great deal to the city of Birmingham as we expand our national footprint. For the first time in our track and field program's 33-year history, it will have a world class, competitive track to practice and compete on. This will allow us to host events of different levels from around the city, state and region. It will also be a great asset to our student body, faculty, staff and citizens of Birmingham who will also have utilization of the track."
The facility will have a Mondo track surface with eight lanes and each lane being 48 inches in width. The track features dual straights with discus, javelin and shot put throwing space on the infield. The hammer cage and jumps will be located just outside the oval track.
The new track will be capable of hosting NCAA, conference and high school level meets. With the approval, construction will begin this summer.
It will be located adjacent to the renovated BBVA Compass Field and the two facilities will share the press box, concessions stand and parking space. Food trucks will also be able to park along the walkway between the soccer field and track.
"We couldn't be more excited about getting our new track and field facility, UAB has never had a track facility," head coach Kurt Thomas said. "It is going to be beautiful and Mark Ingram, President Ray Watts and Allen Bolton have done a wonderful job putting all of this together. The UA System Board of Trustees have given us their blessing and we're looking forward to having a home for track and field."
The project was made possible from a gift pledged by long time UAB Athletics supporter Steve DeMedicis.
"Running on my high school track team was an important turning point in my life. I was fortunate to have trained under a couple of outstanding track coaches, Stan Pitts and Larry Layman, and I have used lessons I learned from them my entire life," Steve DeMedicis said. "Helping UAB with funds towards their new track facility is just a small way I can give back and acknowledge how important running track was to me personally."
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