Knox College unveils purple track
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:12 am
http://www.register-mail.com/stories/09 ... .GID.shtml
Prairie Fire unveil purple track
Renovation to allow Knox to hold meets
Saturday, September 30, 2006
By MIKE TRUEBLOOD
The Register-Mail
GALESBURG - It might not be as mind-blowing as Boise State's blue football field but Knox College's new purple track still rates as an impressive sight.
The track encircles Trevor Field and Knox athletic director Chad Eisele and head track coach Chris Pio were proud to show off the results of the $800,000 renovation project Friday as part of a Fitness and Athletic Initiatives at the college. The purple paint job, complete with gold lane lettering, was completed last week.
"The company brought it up to us," said Eisele. "We like to be different at Knox and stand out and this is a way we could do it with our track."
That not only makes the Prairie Fire's track one of the few purple tracks in the country but also one of only two Midwest Conference schools - along with Monmouth College - that can hold both indoor and outdoor MWC track competitions, including the conference championships.
That's the important thing.
"It's extremely gratifying to see all the designs, concepts, ideas and dreams come to reality," said Pio. "It's something we've felt we've needed for a number of years.
"It brings us up to par with schools we're trying to compete with and trying to recruit against."
The surface is expected to last 12-15 years with repainting required every eight years.
The renovation included expanding the track from six to eight lanes, adding a steeple chase pit to the west end and relocating and enhancing space for the high jump, long jump-triple jump, javelin, shot put, pole vault and discus-hammer throw. Still to be done is work on a meet management and storage building located at the finish line.
"Everything except for the shot put area is within the track itself," said Eisele. "That's one thing you find at other venues: your discuss throwers and hammer throwers are at a totally different facility."
A formal dedication is planned for Oct. 12 with college president Roger Taylor, members of the board of trustees and local contractors present for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The next big project on Knox's Fitness and Athletic Initiative list is a renovation of the Knox Bowl, which will cost between $1.1 and $1.6 million, depending on whether an artificial surface is installed.
"The board of trustees has approved the $1.1 million," said Eisele. "But when the board meets this fall we'll look at approving the artificial surface."
The rubber-based filament surface similar to those used by the University Illinois and Augustana College is the one being considered.
Also among the planned improvements are wrought iron fencing to replace chain link fencing, entrance gates on the northeast and northwest corners, paved sidewalks and stairs leading to bleachers and seating areas, a permanent amenit center with restrooms and concessions, picnic tables and seating areas, lower the north berm to open the bowl to the campus, a paved drive from the front enrace to the playing field and cutbacks into the sides of the bowl enlarging the area around the team bench.
Plans call for the bowl to be renamed the Harley Knosher Bowl in honor of Harley Knosher, Knox athletic director for 40 years.
Prairie Fire unveil purple track
Renovation to allow Knox to hold meets
Saturday, September 30, 2006
By MIKE TRUEBLOOD
The Register-Mail
GALESBURG - It might not be as mind-blowing as Boise State's blue football field but Knox College's new purple track still rates as an impressive sight.
The track encircles Trevor Field and Knox athletic director Chad Eisele and head track coach Chris Pio were proud to show off the results of the $800,000 renovation project Friday as part of a Fitness and Athletic Initiatives at the college. The purple paint job, complete with gold lane lettering, was completed last week.
"The company brought it up to us," said Eisele. "We like to be different at Knox and stand out and this is a way we could do it with our track."
That not only makes the Prairie Fire's track one of the few purple tracks in the country but also one of only two Midwest Conference schools - along with Monmouth College - that can hold both indoor and outdoor MWC track competitions, including the conference championships.
That's the important thing.
"It's extremely gratifying to see all the designs, concepts, ideas and dreams come to reality," said Pio. "It's something we've felt we've needed for a number of years.
"It brings us up to par with schools we're trying to compete with and trying to recruit against."
The surface is expected to last 12-15 years with repainting required every eight years.
The renovation included expanding the track from six to eight lanes, adding a steeple chase pit to the west end and relocating and enhancing space for the high jump, long jump-triple jump, javelin, shot put, pole vault and discus-hammer throw. Still to be done is work on a meet management and storage building located at the finish line.
"Everything except for the shot put area is within the track itself," said Eisele. "That's one thing you find at other venues: your discuss throwers and hammer throwers are at a totally different facility."
A formal dedication is planned for Oct. 12 with college president Roger Taylor, members of the board of trustees and local contractors present for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The next big project on Knox's Fitness and Athletic Initiative list is a renovation of the Knox Bowl, which will cost between $1.1 and $1.6 million, depending on whether an artificial surface is installed.
"The board of trustees has approved the $1.1 million," said Eisele. "But when the board meets this fall we'll look at approving the artificial surface."
The rubber-based filament surface similar to those used by the University Illinois and Augustana College is the one being considered.
Also among the planned improvements are wrought iron fencing to replace chain link fencing, entrance gates on the northeast and northwest corners, paved sidewalks and stairs leading to bleachers and seating areas, a permanent amenit center with restrooms and concessions, picnic tables and seating areas, lower the north berm to open the bowl to the campus, a paved drive from the front enrace to the playing field and cutbacks into the sides of the bowl enlarging the area around the team bench.
Plans call for the bowl to be renamed the Harley Knosher Bowl in honor of Harley Knosher, Knox athletic director for 40 years.