University of Virginia Library

Plans For Proposed New Track Adjacent To U.Hall

Olympic Sized Track In 1970

By Steve Giannini
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

After many years of use,
Lambeth Field's track facilities are
soon to be replaced. The cinder and
dirt track is not quite 440 yards
long and is not in the regular track
shape. Except for the straight down
in front of the stands, it is only
three lanes wide. In the past the
track has often been virtually
useless due to the drainage problem
of Lambeth Field.

Realizing the short comings of
the present track facilities, two
University students, Ed Hardy and
Vince Derr, took the initiative to
do something about it. Because of
their efforts a new Olympic size
track will become a reality in the
spring of 1970.

Last February Derr, a fifth-year
student, and Hardy, a fourth year
student, decided that something
should be done about the situation.
Something had to be done
eventually because of Lambeth
Field's designation for residential
colleges. The plans for a new track
on Athletic Director's Steve Sebo's
desk called for a cinder track.

Hardy and Derr threw out this
plan and began on their own. The
first person they contacted was Dr.
Ed Pullen, head of track officials.
Dr. Pullen said that he could not do
anything but made some
suggestions on whom Hardy and
Derr might contact.

The next stop was Gilly
Sullivan, Head of the Alumni
Association, and William Hobbs,
Director of Development and
Public Affairs. Mr. Robert Gooch,
retired University professor.
Sullivan referred the two students
to Clay Delauney; head of the
Alumni Fund.

At this point things were
looking dim for the prospects of
two students getting the ball rolling
for a new track. But Derr and
y took their own initiative and
went through all old records of
athletics and began to write alumni
who had been outstanding in track
or who had lettered in more than
one varsity sport. Forty-seven
letters were sent out explaining
what Hardy and Derr wanted to do
and the difficulties they
encountered in beginning it. There
were 37 replies, 34 of which were
in favor of the project.

Committee Formed

A committee was set up
and a chairman and vice chairman
elected. Lee M. MacLaughlin, then
head football coach at Washington
& Lee University, became chairman
and Robert K. Gooch was elected
vice chairman.

Then the whole responsibility of
collecting the funds was turned
over to Clay Delauney. Derr and
Hardy remained on the committee
and began to do the actual planning
for the new track.

With Coach Onesty Hardy and
Derr formulated a plan for a 440
yard Tartan all-weather track with
9 lanes. This track would be brick
red with white markings. It would
be a replica of the one used at
Mexico City this past fall for the
Olympics.

In these sessions details were
worked out for the new
facilities-such as provisions for
draining. The track shall be sloped
inward by 1 percent to allow for
runoff as permitted by NCAA
regulations. It shall consist of two
110 yard curves and two 110 yard
straighaways.

Details Formulated

The facilities will also include
pole vault, long jump and triple
jump runways as well as shot put
and discus circles and a javelin
approach. All of this will be in the
track oval. The proposed track
consists of nine 48 inch lanes. Nine
lanes are considered to be essential
for hosting any major competition
in the future. All of this is to be
protected by a chain link fence.

The Tartan track is
manufactured by Minnesota Mining
and Manufacturing Company. Bids
will be taken in the near future for
the construction of the track.

If progress continues at the
present rate, construction should
begin some time in mid 1969.
Completion would be in time for
the 1970 season. The site will be
west of University Hall.

In a letter sent out January 31,
1969 by Mr. Gooch as Vice
Chairman of the Track Advisory
Committee, the financial aspects of
the project were set forth.

Sources For Funds

There were no obvious sources
which might be tapped for the
necessary funds. Their Athletic
Department has pledged $25,000
on the $160,000 project. The
Athletic Department was able to
appropriate this amount from
money they are permitted to
budget for capital improvements.
All of this had to be taken out of
receipts from Athletic events.

Over $17,000 has been
contributed by the Alumni and
track supporters. Following a
suggestion of Mr. Shannon's, the
Alumni Board of the Endowment
Fund appropriated $75,000. With
the plans progressing as they are,
the remaining $43,000 needs to be
raised as quickly as possible.

Alumni Weekend

The Track Advisory committee
is sponsoring a "track alumni day"
on Friday, April 18, Alumni
Weekend. That afternoon there will
be a track meet against the
University of Richmond.
Afterwards, there will be a cocktail
party at Farmington Country Club.
Saturday, the nineteenth, the
Athletic Department will provide
all returning track alumni with
tickets for the Alumni Football
game.

The main reason for the
weekend will be a meeting held to
decide on details, for the
construction to begin.