DES MOINES, IOWA — The $15 million investment in the renovation of
Drake Stadium five years ago by Drake University and the Greater Des Moines community
continues to pay dividends.
Drake University has been selected by the NCAA Track and Field
Committee to host the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
The 14,467 seat Drake Stadium hosted a successful AAU National
Junior Olympics Track and Field Championship this past summer and will host the
2010 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 23-27.
“The committee has worked really hard over the last several months
to ensure we were awarding the championship to the best sites possible,” said
Holly Sheilley, chair of the Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field
Committee and assistant athletic director for student development and
championships at the University of Louisville. “Drake has shown in the past they put on world-class meets
and we are confident they will do a great job hosting our future NCAA outdoor
championships.”
"It is an honor for Drake University to host the 2011 and
2012 NCAA Track and Field National Championships," said Drake athletic
director Sandy Hatfield Clubb. "This event makes a significant financial
impact on the Des Moines community and it would not be possible without an
outstanding partnership with the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors
Bureau."
Drake Relays director Brian Brown echoed Hatfield Clubb's
sentiments.
"It is a direct compliment to the selfless team that we've
assembled consisting of Drake University leadership and staff, Des Moines Area
Sports Commission, dedicated officials and a tremendous volunteer base,"
said Brown. "I am extremely excited for the many track and field
enthusiasts and devoted Drake Relays fans in and throughout the Midwest as they
will again be treated to our nation's best track and field student-athletes
competing in Drake Stadium."
"The awarding of the 2011 and 2012 NCAA National Outdoor
Track and Field Championships is further affirmation of the promise of the
revitalization of Drake Stadium as a world-class venue, and of Des Moines'
commitment and support in attracting events of this stature to our
community," said Drake President David Maxwell.
"My congratulations and thanks to our staff, and to Greg
Edwards and his colleagues at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, for their
hard work in making these events a reality. We are very grateful that the NCAA
has recognized yet another time what we bring to these events: a superb
facility, highly experienced and dedicated staff, a knowledgeable and
enthusiastic fan base and total community engagement."
Drake hosted a highly successful 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field
Championships which saw 19 stadium records set, while drawing a record four-day
crowd of 41,187 despite flooding in central Iowa.
That 2008 attendance figure more than doubled the four-day
attendance of 20,664 at the 2009 NCAA Track and Field Championships in
Fayetteville, Ark.
It also surpassed the four-day record total of 31,000 fans that
watched the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene,
Ore.
"The record attendance coupled with the positive feedback
that we received for hosting the 2008 NCAA meet contributed to Drake receiving
strong consideration to host future meets," said Hatfield Clubb. "Our
gratitude goes out to the NCAA selection committee."
"Drake University and Des Moines worked hard to host a first
class championship event for the NCAA student athletes in 2008," added
Drake assistant athletic director Mark Kostek, who will serve as co-meet
director. "This announcement validates that the efforts of so many
individuals have been recognized. Drake and Des Moines wish to establish
themselves as the track and field hub in the Midwest and this is a very
positive step."
"We have a proven track record of high attendance in hosting
national caliber meets along with great meet management. That's something that
we've been proud of for more than 100 years dating back to the first Drake
Relays in 1910."
Approximately 1,100 athletes are expected to compete in the
four-day event, which is estimated to have an economic impact of $25 million on
the Greater Des Moines area.
"This is awesome news!" said Greg Edwards, president and
CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This
community has worked hard to land the NCAA National Track and Field
Championship again and we did it. We are thankful for the expertise,
leadership, vision and outstanding reputation of Drake University.
"The renovated Drake Stadium is now paying back dividends to
our community," Edwards added. "This puts us on the map as a national
collegiate sports destination. Add
that to the world-class athletes that have run at the Drake Relays for 100
years and we had quite a package to present to the NCAA Track & Field
Committee."
It will mark the third time Drake has hosted the NCAA Outdoor
Track and Field Championships since 1970, when track and field immortal Steve
Prefontaine, competing as a freshman for Oregon, won the first of four straight
individual distance titles in dramatic fashion despite having a dozen stitches
in his foot after a diving board accident days before. Then Drake senior Rick
Wanamaker also won the NCAA decathlon title that year.