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.