TRACK AND FIELD HAS A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Athletes from all over the National Collegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA) get coined with the stereotype that athletes get everything from the best facilities to not having to work for what they get.

For Regis College Track and Field athletes that has never been further from the truth. Imagine being part of more than 2,000 student-athletes in all three NCAA Divisions, but you're the only team that uses a hallway to prepare for NCAA sanctioned meets.

Along with hallways you have used a facility common area, hills, side streets, and neighboring high school tracks to practice.

"We didn't have access to a lot of spaces," said Christine Kloiber, head coach for men and women's track and field.

"You have to be creative," says Kloiber. Jessica Johnson agreed, "We had to do a lot of improvising."

Nadine Remy, assistant coach for sprinters, and a former runner for Kloiber said, "It was frustrating." Without question running a 55-meter hallway while students are trying to get to class has to be frustrating.

"We had people upset with us for running down the hallway," Remy states.

These athletes have surely taken a new stride to its newly constructed $8.5 million complex. The complex is complete with a multi-sport synthetic turf field, eight-lane track, and designated areas for jumps and throws events.

"It's been a long time coming," Remy said. Barely able to contain herself, Kloiber clearly shows her happiness and appreciation for the complex with a huge smile whenever the topic is brought up.

"I can't tell you what a fantastic feeling it is as a collegiate coach to train my kids how they should be trained in our facility, it's our home."

The coaches have utilized every part of the new track, and are testing its newest athletes. "They're bringing more intensity," says Schllaum Dorleans, a first-year runner for the men's team.

Finally track and field has a place to call home, and it's showing its appreciation by turning up the intensity in its efforts.

In 2006 four members qualified to compete at the Penn Relays in the 4x100m event. Just imagine what a new facility and creativity under better circumstances can do.

The team opens its indoor season Dec. 5 at the Husky Invitational.