• Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium dedicated to honor legendary coach

    Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium

    Say hello to the newest “jewel on the Brazos” — the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium, dedicated last week.

    The new facility includes not only a new track, but also the 13,500-square-foot Lewis A. and Mary Woodall Training Center (which includes an indoor practice facility), a 6,000-square-foot team facility (which includes the Winston Wolfe Clubhouse), a 10,300-square-foot team building (which includes hydrotherapy pools, a training room, offices and meeting rooms, and storage space), and the Bob and Brenda Barkley Champions Plaza (which recognizes Baylor’s many Olympic and NCAA title-holders).

    The dedication ceremony included a Q&A with the facility’s namesake, legendary Baylor Track and Field Director Clyde Hart. President Ken Starr addressed the crowd, then — likely calling upon his years of practice running with the Baylor Line — ran a ceremonial first lap around the freshly lain green track.

    [SEE PHOTOS of the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium dedication]

    The Bears’ previous facility, known as the Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex, was located off campus, adjacent to Floyd Casey Stadium. In April 2012, Baylor track letterman Richard Woodall, BBA ’80, MS.Eco. ’81, and his wife, Donna, made a lead donation to help bring the complex to campus, where it is now next door to McLane Stadium along the Brazos River.

    In addition to the Woodalls, the stadium was made possible by notable gifts from Winston Wolfe, ’64; Bob (BBA ’79, JD ’80) and Brenda Barkley; David (BBA ’85, MBA ’87) and Amy (BS ’85) Hodge, and Gill Athletics.

    “Our hope is that today’s student-athletes will remember this,” Athletics Director Ian McCaw said at the dedication. “The gift they have been given is much larger than an opportunity to compete. They have been given the opportunity to learn among some of the best in the field – both inside the classroom and on the field, and soon they will be given the opportunity to take these lessons into their own professions where we hope they will grow and thrive like you.”

    Sic ’em, Baylor Track & Field!