When will we get a new T&F Complex? Klein HS has a better facility than we do.

As soon as you pay for it

Agreed, it would help our recruiting even more, but as far as performance-wise, we are more than ok with the one we got.

Pat Henry has won 6 national titles, and several top 5 finishes nationally for the Aggies. Yet various other Aggie sports that have nowhere near that type of success -- I would submit that includes ALL other Aggie sports -- yet their successes, such as they are, always seem to be ahead of track facilities. Sometime, perhaps sooner than later, another big-time university is going to steal away with Pat Henry. And many Ags will ask, "What happened?"

We have one of the premier indoor facilities as well as fantastic support facilities.

If I had the money, we would have had a new facility built yesterday. Until then, we're going to be OK.

The softball field needs some work, too.

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I agree with both points; we need upgrades to both complexes. On the other hand, we dont run home outdoor meets at all. Would be nice to see. It would be nice to see some championship caliber teams compete outdoors in Aggieland.

Hyman has been looking at options for a new facility (rumor has it), and should be approving / implementing in the upcoming two years. It was probably pushed back due to the football expansion.

[This message has been edited by Tamu_mgm (edited 4/9/2013 8:46a).]

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Pat Henry has won 6 national titles, and several top 5 finishes nationally for the Aggies. Yet various other Aggie sports that have nowhere near that type of success -- I would submit that includes ALL other Aggie sports -- yet their successes, such as they are, always seem to be ahead of track facilities. Sometime, perhaps sooner than later, another big-time university is going to steal away with Pat Henry. And many Ags will ask, "What happened?"

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I hope your winky face implies sarcasm. Pat Henry isn't going anywhere. He's 61-years old, we stole him from LSU in 2005 (where he'd been for 17 years), and we basically gave him free-reign to design the indoor facility of his dreams, which he got.

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On the other hand, we dont run home outdoor meets at all. Would be nice to see. It would be nice to see some championship caliber teams compete outdoors in Aggieland.

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It'd be good for the teams, it'd be good for our fans, it'd be good for the local economy.

Anybody remember when $Bill money whipped Pat Henry to come here to the tune of doubling his LSU salary. BB's contract gave him big bonuses of 1 month's extra salary for top 10 finishes in each track sport. No other AD is going to buy Pat Henry away unless they can sneek that kind of bonus clause into their contracts.

LSU's track facility is pre-renovation Olsen Field-like. It was a palace back in the 70s, but worn down.

I heard Henry was pushing hard for upgrades, and wasn't getting them. They finally came around a few years after he left and put down a new track surface and infield.

All I know is one thing: Keep Henry happy.

He is the reason why A&M has been a track powerhouse over the last 5 years+, and will only continue his success. He most definitely earned it.

We need to start a campaign. I'm in for a pledge. That is what it is going to take. All ags need donate.

Once upon a time --- all good stories start that way. Back in the 70's and 80's, I used to drive from Austin then Dallas, to College Station to work (officiate) three good out door meets each spring for some great national competiton. What happened?
We are at that point that we need a world or National class facility at A&M. We should be hosting a regional meet every two years and the NCAA finals at least every 5-years. Every Aggie should go buy a lotto ticket each week, and when you win, donate as a tax dedutable contribution to building a world class facility.

2nd question-- what happened to that young Lady that did so well at DesMoines in the NCAA finals in the 5,000 & 10,000 meter run??

There was another thread about the time of the NCAA indoors about Natosha Rogers. Apparently she decided to not compete any more.

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We are at that point that we need a world or National class facility at A&M. We should be hosting a regional meet every two years and the NCAA finals at least every 5-years.

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We have one of those in our indoor track. Not all of our facilities can always be in the top 5 facilities in the nation. You have to rotate between the different sports. Track already has a top of the line facility. Be patient with their other facility.

One things that I was really impressed with about Byrne was that there was a strong emphasis on A&M updating facilities and hosting major events (Soccer Final Fours, Swimming NCs, Indoor Track NCs). I hope that continues under Hyman (I expect it will). It makes me think that when we do get a new outdoor track facility, it will be of that calibur. It just might take a little while longer than you like as we have other facilities that need to be updated as well.

I would much rather it take a few extra years and build a top notch facility than to quickly build a mediocore facility so we can host outdoor meets.

Yes, it is important to build a first class facility, and we do want it done right, but it has been almost a DECADE since we last hosted an outdoor meet (Regionals in May of '04).

I would imagine outdoor track and softball get upgrades (which they need/deserve) shortly after the new SEC tv deals come into play and the athletic department is getting an extra $10 million each year.

People who want either of these to happen also need to hope the football team continues to play at an elite level. The better they play, the faster we will pay off the stadium upgrades and have money for other projects.

nereus

I think the SEC TV contract will have a lot to do with it. We need to see what "steady" money we have comming in before we continue to invest in this. However, the other posters are right. When we do make the decision to do this it will be top notch and designed for speed!
I can't wait to see some competitions in it!
I miss the outdoor season not having anything at A&M.

The track is in horrible shape and is becoming a challenge to even train on. It is not desirable to train on the indoor facility on a regular basis. Building a world class facility is something this program deserves but it is naive to think we will have the NCAA Outdoor meet here. Transportation logistics aren't good but more importantly the NCAA is not keen on coming to Texas in June and deal with the heat and potentially stormy weather. It is unfortunate that when it has been hosted at Texas, weather has been a problem. When the new facility was first proposed there were some who even speculated on having an Olympic Trials here. That will not happen as long as Nike runs USATF, even if our transportation/hotel problems were resolved. We need to build this facility because we have a championship program that deserves it, not on some hope of future championships hosted here. The financial impact of track and field on the local economy is limited but that is not an excuse to not build the facility. As for great meets, go watch one SEC Championship and you will be hooked. It is an unbelievable meet.

Preach it, Ed.

Well, its been just over 10 years since A&M hosted an outdoor track meet! Since that time both the men and women have won numerous titles!!! Still no track!!!! When is it gonna happen? Not in '15!!! Any plans for something by '16? It is getting embarrassing.

http://texags.com/forums/5/topics/2505929

Great season

They sent out track donations forms recently for what is worth to Track Letterman.

Rogers is back competing for New Balance. It will be a grind getting back into it for her, catching up on the missed running but if she is enjoying it she will be very dangerous.

I was told today that they will break ground on the new outdoor track in March. First meets will probably be 2017.

Athletics can not start building the new track and softball stadiums until they have finished the new intramural fields on the other side of George Bush. That is set to be done and open by the fall. No way it's done by March.

Maybe he meant March 2016

^ Let's make that happen. I am contributing . . . are you?

Goodness that is a nice design. Keep Coach Henry happy folks.

National Championships brought to Texas A&M. Let's get this done.
Come on, Chancellor Sharp! Do it.

Pat Henry interview:
On the progress of getting a new outdoor track

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Well, there's some work going on, it is kind of a roller coaster thought process with the whole thing. I feel good at times that we are actually going to do something and then we're not going to do anything. So, we'll see. We're in the process, we just got through meeting with an architectural firm for the last four months, so we will see what's going to happen there. It's a huge need, I mean to say that we have a sport that doesn't compete on campus during their real time of the year, that just doesn't happen. We're talking about 60 to 65 schools who are going to be operating differently within the NCAA right now. There's no question we have the worst facility of all 60 of those schools, so that's a challenge for Texas A&M and we've got to get that done.

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This really is embarrassing.

I am certainly willing to support a new outdoor facility. Track meets are like a three-ring circus: there is always an event going on. Even Baylor has a new track. Baylor. When the seating is built up (like the old dug-out stadiums) it can create an awesome atmosphere. While not realistic in College Station, it would be cool to see something that is more than just an oval and a few metal stands. (basically what is out there now.)

Some outstanding athletes and coaches have represented Texas A&M track and field. I hope the facility gets built and soon.