DES MOINES, IOWA – Greater Des Moines has a long and storied
legacy as a track and field destination.
That legacy is being honored and solidified for generations to come with
the unveiling of Track Central USA.
With
the $15 million renovation of Drake Stadium in 2006, Drake University and
Greater Des Moines have become a mecca in hosting high caliber track and field
events in the United States.
In
addition to serving as home of the Drake Relays, with more than 100 years of
rich tradition, Greater Des Moines and Drake University, have hosted the 2007
NCAA Midwest Regional Outdoor Track and Field Championship, the 2008 NCAA
Outdoor Track and Field Championship and more recently the 2009 AAU Junior
Olympics.
Drake
University and the Des Moines Area Sports Commission (DMASC) will combine
efforts in hosting the 2010 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships at Drake
Stadium June 23-27. Drake was also
awarded the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Track Central USA is a comprehensive branding strategy
that will forever change the fan experience at future track and field events in
Greater Des Moines. The DMASC, an organization under the Greater Des Moines
Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB) umbrella, and Drake University are
proud to make this collaborative announcement.
The
cornerstone of this exciting new initiative is an innovative and interactive Track Central USA Fan Zone adjacent to
Drake Stadium. This area will
include interactive video kiosks, a “hands on” track and field exhibit space,
an area designated for fitness/wellness, a stage for athlete interaction,
improved merchandise exhibit area, food and other vendors.
“One hundred
years of the Drake Relays and our success in recent years landing and hosting
world class track and field events has cemented our place in the world of track
and field. The Track Central USA initiative allows us
to take it to the next level as we pursue the Olympic Trials for track and
field in the future,” said Greg Edwards, GDMCVB President and CEO. “Our community, with the guidance and
leadership of Drake University's Athletic Department, continues to gain
nationwide attention as a premiere track and field destination. Track
Central USA and the Track Central USA
Fan Zone capture the essence of our commitment to track and field in
Greater Des Moines.”
"Drake
University, in partnership with the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, is
excited to unveil the Track Central USA
Fan Zone at Drake Stadium," said Drake Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb. "This project will build on a well established track and
field tradition and has tremendous synergy with other initiatives within our
department focused on enhancing the fan experience."
"Certainly the warmth of the
community, the knowledgeable fans we've had over the years have brought
together a lot of this excitement, but without a true partnership that we have
with the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Sports
Commission none of this would have come to fruition," Hatfield Clubb said. "Over the last few years we've had the opportunity to work
with Doug (Logan) and his staff to really further our relationship with USA
Track and Field."
"We consider this city, the
university and the people like Greg (Edwards), Al (Lorenzen), Brian (Brown) and
Mark (Kostek) that we deal with on a regular basis to be part of our extended
family and you've made us feel like we're a part of yours," Logan, CEO of USA Track and Field commented.
"We think there is important
business to be done here from the standpoint of our sport, our sport that is
ubiquitous to our country. Every
place I go everybody has a story because everyone has done it. Everyone has tried to race their little
sister, everybody has tried to jump a bigger puddle than their neighbor, and
everyone has tried to do some of the simple feats that form the basis of our
sport. We're looking forward to this
summer, it is going to be a very exciting one."