The University of Rhode Island’s (URI’s) championship-winning track and field programs now have a new home on the Kingston Campus. The University celebrated the new facility — which features an Olympic-caliber design — with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 21.
“These are championship-caliber student-athletes who deserve championship-caliber facilities,” said URI President Marc Parlange. “Recognizing the moment as more than a facility opening, Parlange said, “This is about giving our student-athletes the resources they need to compete at the highest level.”
A large audience of URI students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters, local and state elected leaders, and members of the board of trustees joined in the celebration, which marked a major milestone in a series of $65.8 million upgrades to athletic facilities at URI.
URI men’s track and field head coach Trent Baltzell highlighted the exceptional quality of the facility.
“What you see in front of you is beyond what we coaches were imagining during the initial design process,” he said. “From a functionality and meet management perspective, this track and field facility has no equal in this region of the country.”
The complex features a nine-lane track, multiple jump runways, including two long/triple jump runways with four sand pits, two pole vault runways with four pole vault boxes, and two high jump areas. Adjacent to the track is a separate facility for hammer, javelin, shot put, and discus throwing.
The facility also includes an aluminum bleacher grandstand and a press box with an accessible lift. The complex also includes a new digital display scoreboard, a dedicated track storage facility, a restroom building that will be shared with the soccer facility, and a new lands and grounds support building.
The facility is in a traditionally windy part of the URI campus. And while one might think that would be less than ideal for sports in which winning times and measurements are determined by the smallest of margins, Baltzell explained why the wind will be an advantage, not a disadvantage.
“The track is oriented in a south to north fashion, which coincides with the primary wind direction,” he said. “Athletes are going to move faster when having a wind at their backs. Sprinters, hurdlers, pole vaulters, long jumpers, and triple jumpers are going to love competing at URI. And, if the wind happens to be heading south, like it is today, that’s no problem — we can turn all events around in the opposite direction.”
Among those who are excited about the new facility was Laurie Feit-Melnick, who’s been the women’s track and field head coach since 1992. Feit-Melnick succeeded Lauren Anderson, URI’s first women’s track coach, who was also present for the ceremony.
“This is not just a tremendous addition for our current and future athletes, but for the entire athletic department, the URI community and the state of Rhode Island,” said Feit-Melnick. “This will be the first of many events we host. We look forward to hosting the Atlantic 10 Conference outdoor championships, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League high school state meet, and the Rhode Island Special Olympics, in addition to camps and clinics at this phenomenal facility.”
On April 3, 2027, URI will host an outdoor track and field meet for the first time in 32 years. The Rams will welcome teams from other Rhode Island colleges and universities to Kingston for the Ocean State Cup.