The Indiana State University Athletic Department is excited to announce a new fundraising initiative for the Gibson Track & Field Complex.
This initiative aims to raise $2 million to resurface the John McNichols Memorial Track with a state-of-the-art Beynon BSS 2000RE surface and add permanent lighting to enhance training flexibility and meet hosting capabilities.
In honoring Coach McNichols’ legacy, Indiana State Athletics is committed to completing these key facility upgrades, which will provide Indiana State student-athletes with the best available resources, as well as securing Gibson Track and Field Complex’s place as one of the premiere facilities in NCAA Track and Field.
“John McNichols changed the landscape of the Indiana State Track & Field and Cross-Country program into national prominence,” Director of Athletics Nathan Christensen said. “John not only had an effect on our university and community, but most importantly, he positively impacted thousands of student-athletes during his tenure at Indiana State. It is an honor to place his name on the track at the Gibson Track & Field Complex perpetually and develop our complex.”
“The majority of the McNichols-Gartland era took place at the Marks Field Complex,” Program Director and Head Track & Field Coach Angie Martin said. “Coach McNichols had a dream to build something bigger and better. It is up to us to continue his legacy and make sure this facility provides our student-athletes with everything they need to meet and exceed the goals and expectations of the program. We want to continue to dream big!”
A steering committee has been formed to advocate for and aid in the fundraising efforts for the upgrades to the John McNichols Memorial Track. Members of this committee include former track and field athletes Rich Porter ’77, Fred Crawford ’85, Dan Riley ’85, Christine Hill ’93, Angie Lansing ’98, Justin Kunz ’08, Coaches Angie and Jeff Martin, and community members Greg Gibson and Linda McNichols. Lead gifts from committee members have been made to begin the fundraising efforts.
Indiana State alumni and fans who would like to learn more about this initiative or make a gift to support this project may do so by clicking on the link below or contacting Associate Athletic Director of Development Tyson Baldwin at 812-241-2443 or [email protected].
Indiana State University | John McNichols Memorial Track & Field
John McNichols Legacy
Coach John McNichols led the Sycamores in track and field and cross country from 1983 until his death in 2016. He finished his career by coaching in exactly 100 career MVC Championships, including 33 indoor meets, 33 outdoor meets, and 34 cross-country championships. He posted 38 total team titles, including 11 in cross country, 10 in indoor track, and 17 in outdoor track.
He was named the MVC Coach of the Year 23 times. During that time, McNichols coached 456 MVC Track Champions, eight MVC Cross Country Champions, 355 MVC Track Scholar-Athletes, and 110 Cross Country MVC Champions.
He coached 15 NCAA Track National Champions, 112 All-Americans, 173 NCAA Track National Qualifiers, and 13 NCAA Cross Country National qualifiers. He also oversaw the design, development, and construction of the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, which has hosted 13 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships.
McNichols also served as the head meet official at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and was a meet official at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the 1987 Pan-American Games, and the 1988 United States Olympic Trials. He was a three-time head coach of the United States Men’s Junior Pan-American Team.
Resurfacing the John McNichols Memorial Track
Initially installed in 2015, the track surface has an expected lifespan of 10-12 years. As this timeframe comes to a close with the current track, Indiana State needs to resurface the nine-lane track with the new Beynon BSS 2000RE surface. Used at legendary Hayward Field, home of the University of Oregon Track and Field programs, the surface features a force-reduction layer of high-performance butyl rubber and two-component polyurethane.
The surface delivers a consistent experience and provides the maximum energy restitution possible to the athlete. This surface will provide Sycamore student-athletes the best opportunity to elevate their performance and give our coaching staff a distinct advantage in recruiting and retaining Sycamore student-athletes.
Lighting for the Complex
Permanent lighting was considered the next phase for the Gibson Track and Field Complex when it was first built in 2015. As the current Track and Field landscape evolves, many events, such as the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, will require lighting at the host facility.
Lighting at the track will allow our programs greater flexibility to train around scheduling conflicts, such as class schedules and weather. Providing lighting for the facility will support Coach McNichols’ plan to have one of the best facilities in the midwestern United States.
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