By: KSU Sports Information Department
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State University and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics have begun construction on the new track and field facility this week. The new track, which is scheduled to be completed in December, will be on the same site as the Kennesaw State women’s soccer practice field, adjacent to the KSU Soccer Stadium.
“We are extremely excited to see the start of the construction on our new track,” said Kennesaw State head coach Andy Eggerth. “It has been a long time coming, forged by the sweat and success of many of our recent cross country and track and field graduates.”
The facility will include a standard 400-meter track with eight lanes and will be surfaced by Rekortan, an IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation) certified product on which many world records have been set. The surface will be 15mm thick and is one of the top track surfaces in the country.
The event-ready facility will also have a water pit for steeplechase events and a separate throwing area for shot put competitions as well as high jump and pole vault areas at opposite ends of the track.
“We're forever grateful and indebted to President Papp and the KSU Foundation for making this project happen,” added Eggerth. “I would also like to thank Dr. Jerome Ratchord and everyone at Student Success as well as special thanks to Senior Associate Athletics Director Scott Whitlock for orchestrating this undertaking and of course our Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams.”
One unique feature of the facility is the location of the of the long jump area, which will be situated outside of the track. This placement offers fans a rare, closer viewing perspective during the triple jump and long jump competitions.
“Our horizontal jumps area is a great setup for both athletes and spectators,” continued Eggerth. “As it runs outside and along the homestretch for the races there will be a lot of energy in that area.”
The Kennesaw State men have won five of the last six championships in the Atlantic Sun Conference and also qualified for the NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships the past two years. The KSU women have also added to their success, placing in the top three in the A-Sun in each of the past three years.
