The Idaho track and field program has been revamped and the Dan O’Brien Track and Field Complex underwent a massive renovation, just in time for Idaho to host the WAC Outdoor Championships.
Tony Marcolina | Argonaut The Dan O'Brien Track and Field Complex is finished. It has recieved a major facelift including new bleachers, state-of-the-art synthetic track surface and much more.
It was a long time coming, but it’s finally here. The complex is outfitted with the latest technology and set to officially open with a re-dedication ceremony Monday in which former Vandal and Olympic gold medalist Dan O’Brien will be an on-hand participate.
Idaho senior distance runner Erica Digby said she and the team are excited to reveal the new facility.
“I think it definitely makes a big difference,” Digby said. “Just the fact that we’re excited about it, I think it’s spreading everywhere.”
Improvements include a state-of-the-art track surface and Digby said in the little bit she’s already run on it, she can tell the difference.
“It’s a big improvement,” Digby said. “Even just training on it you can tell it’s a lot better quality.”
The old track surface was hard, making it hard on runners and their injuries. Idaho Director of Track and Field Wayne Phipps said it’s an improvement in all areas.
“This track has a great combination of having force reduction so that it’s softer and a lot less chance of injury,” Phipps said. “Also, the performance characteristics of it allow for faster times.”
Additional safety nets allow throwing events to go on all day, and new jumping pits allow jumpers to leap in any direction, making wind a nonfactor.
Senior pole vaulter Jeremy Klas said the additions make a huge different in practice.
“It’s awesome, especially for pole vault, because now we can vault in any direction,” Klas said. “We have eight different pole vault boxes, so no matter what direction the wind is blowing, we can make sure it’s favorable for us.”
Vandal throwers are glad to be rid of drainage issues in the infield. For years, water settled on the surface of the field and created swamp-like conditions for the throwers.
Phipps said his athletes’ attitude toward the facility has changed dramatically from a year ago.
“They’ve loved it,” Phipps said. “I think the last couple years a lot of people were dreading coming to practice a little bit because they knew the track was hard and the throwers were walking through a foot of mud to retrieve their implements.”
The new facility will see its first action Friday when Idaho hosts the Vandal Jamboree. It will then host the WAC Outdoor Championships starting Tuesday.
Phipps said the new facility means Idaho will host more meets, which benefits the program as a whole.
“It does a lot for us,” Phipps said. “From a recruiting standpoint, we can show them a brand new facility that can rival any track that’s out there right now, so it does a lot for us from that standpoint and just being proud to host meets when people come in.”
In just a year the Dan O’Brien track and field complex has transformed from an out-of-date track to a premier facility. Klas said the transformation shows how important track is at the University of Idaho.
“I think if anything it helps everyone stay injury free, just because it’s so much softer that it was last year,” Klas said. “Anyone coming in who sees our facility will say ‘Oh wow, they take track and field pretty seriously around here.'”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]