In a significant development for student-athletes and the community, West Virginia State University has received a $250,000 grant from the Kanawha County Commission to construct a new track and field complex on its campus. The funding, sourced from American Rescue Plan funds, was approved during the commission’s recent meeting on Wednesday.
WVSU President Ericke S. Cage expressed gratitude for the commission’s support, highlighting the new facility’s multifaceted benefits. “We are grateful to the Kanawha County Commission for their support to build a track and field complex at West Virginia State University,” Cage said. “This new facility will not only be a tremendous asset for our university and our student-athletes, but for the entire Kanawha County community giving local middle school and high school students an opportunity to also practice and train here.”
A New Home for Track Athletes
The construction of this complex comes as WVSU reintroduced its men’s and women’s track and field teams last year. Since then, the teams have relied on off-campus facilities in the Kanawha Valley for training. The new complex is expected to provide much-needed resources and a dedicated space for the teams to develop their skills.
“This is another remarkable display of the commission’s dedication to not only supporting our student-athletes at West Virginia State University but all the youth in Kanawha County,,” said Nate Burton, WVSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics. “This new facility will provide championship caliber resources for our track and field student-athletes, while also supplying an additional track that the community can use. Similar to the way all of our athletic facilities are used, we envision high schools, middle schools, and area youth organizations using the facility to train and host meets.”
In addition to serving as the home for Yellow Jackets track and field, the new complex aims to attract larger events to the region, similar to those hosted by the nearby Shawnee Sports Complex. This could position WVSU as a central hub for track and field competitions in West Virginia.
The track will also be accessible to local residents for walking and running when not in use.
Fundraising efforts for the construction of the complex are currently underway. Community members and supporters interested in contributing to the project can make donations online.
