KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 16, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island has a winning tradition in track and field and will soon have facilities befitting that tradition. By the summer of 2026, URI will have one of the best outdoor track and field facilities in the Northeast and one that is reflective of the championship-level student-athletes who represent URI in the sport.

“These world-class athletes deserve a world-class facility, and they will get one,” said URI President Marc Parlange at a groundbreaking ceremony for the track and field facility on Oct. 16. “This new facility will have a tremendous impact on training, competition, and a sense of pride in having world-class spaces to match our student-athletes’ world-class performances.”

More than 250 guests attended the ceremony, including Governor Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, other local and state elected leaders, members of the URI Board of Trustees, members of the University community, and current and former URI track and field student-athletes and coaches.

“This is a project that not only represents progress, but pride in our past and belief in our future,” said URI Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn.

Bjorn thanked former URI track coaches Lauren Anderson and John Copeland, both in attendance, for their contributions to the program and University. Anderson was URI’s first-ever women’s cross country and track and field coach and a former senior woman’s administrator. Copeland is regarded as the most successful coach in URI history, having won 25 Atlantic 10 Conference titles in men’s indoor and outdoor track in his 39 years as the head coach.

Bjorn also took time to recognize the URI facilities team “who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this day a reality.”

McKee spoke about the role athletics plays in education and how the new facility will help student-athletes achieve their goals.

“Getting young people to reach their potential is what we are trying to accomplish in Rhode Island,” said McKee. “I believe in the three A’s—academics, the arts, and athletics. Our goal is to excel in every area that we can. We’re going to continue to invest in URI, just as we are with Rhode Island College and CCRI.”

Shekarchi expressed strong support for URI on behalf of the General Assembly.

“This groundbreaking today represents another step forward in the General Assembly’s and URI’s ongoing shared investments in excellence on and off the field,” said Shekarchi. ”Facilities like this help attract talented athletes and scholars to Rhode Island, strengthening our flagship university.”

The new track and field facility is one of several URI athletic facilities that will undergo significant improvements as part of a $65.8 million Rhode Island Capital Plan investment in championship-caliber facilities at the state’s flagship university. Supported by McKee and the General Assembly, the RICAP funding also includes upgrades for Meade Stadium, Tootell Aquatic Center, Beck Field, URI Softball Complex, and URI Soccer Complex. The University is raising an additional $20 million to support enhancements to the facilities to transform the student-athlete experience, offer enhanced fan experiences, and provide expanded community access.

URI track and field athletes Lily Saul and Adam Melnick spoke briefly on behalf of their teams.

“Watching this track get built is like watching a dream come true,” said Saul, a junior from Montoursville, Pennsylvania who is majoring in early childhood education. “I know many alumni who competed at URI and are thrilled to return to campus next year to cheer on the current Rams at the new facility. I’m excited that I will get to run on the new track in my last year at URI.”

Growing up in Narragansett, Melnick was aware of the role athletics plays in the URI community and the greater Rhode Island community.

“I saw firsthand how Rhody athletics brings people together and inspires us to strive for more,” said Melnick, a senior majoring in business and supply chain management. “This new track is much more than just a facility; it’s a symbol of where we’re headed. It will help us train at the highest level, continue to grow as a program, and help us bring championships home to Kingston. This is an investment in our future and a reminder of what makes URI so special, the connection between the University, the community, and everyone who believes in Rhody pride.”

Having a new track and field facility on campus will not only help the student-athletes’ performance but will also reduce the amount of time needed to travel to practices and competitions at facilities away from Kingston.

“We will no longer need to travel to local middle school and high school tracks to complete necessary, specific workouts,” said Trent Baltzell ’14, head coach of the men’s track and field and cross country teams. “We’ll be able to host multiple meets every year.”

The addition of a first-class facility will also help recruiting efforts.

 “Having the best facilities directly improves your chances of landing the best recruits,” said Baltzell. “This facility is going to be as good as they get. It will be exceptional for practices and competitions.”

Facility facts and figures:

• Nine 48″ wide lanes with full pour track surfacing that will be certified as an IAAF Class 2 dedicated track facility
• Multiple jump runways (two long/triple jump runways with four sand pits, two pole vault runways with four pole vault boxes, two high jump areas)
• Separate throwing facility for hammer, javelin, shot put, and discus
• New 200-capacity aluminum bleacher grandstand with accessible lift to a new press box
• New digital display scoreboard
• Shared restroom building with dedicated track storage room
• New lands and grounds support building