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University of Houston Athletics
Tellez Track at Lewis Complex to Undergo Renovations
4/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
| TOM TELLEZ TRACK at CARL LEWIS INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX | |
|---|---|
| Generous Donation from | Carolyn and Ron Yokubaitis |
| Project Cost | $1.5 million |
| Construction Start | Fall 2015 |
| Facility Opening | Spring 2016 |
| Location | Site of current Track and Field stadium |
| Social Media |   |
HOUSTON - Thanks to a generous $1.5 million donation from Carolyn and Ron Yokubaitis, Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex and the Houston Soccer Field will soon undergo complete renovations.
Under the plans, the outdoor home of Houston Men's and Women's Track and Field in the spring and home of Houston Soccer in the fall will be completely refurbished, including the resurfacing of Tom Tellez Track along with additional improvements.
The design process for the facility will begin shortly with construction expected to start following the completion of Houston Soccer's 2015 fall season. Construction is expected to last four months with a spring 2016 opening anticipated.
"We are pleased to begin the renovation of Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex, and we are most grateful for the Yokubaitis' donation that made it possible. Carolyn's and Ron's support of our athletics department through the years has been remarkable and helped our coaches and student-athletes in all sports programs achieve their goals," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades said. "This is a much-needed and long overdue project that will benefit our Men's and Women's Track and Field student-athletes. We are committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience for all our sports programs in all areas, and these renovations to Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex are the latest demonstration."
"I am so proud of Leroy and his program and what they have done with indoor and outdoor championships every year. I was surprised at how much they were doing with so little," said Yokubaitis, who lettered for Houston Football from 1962 to 1963 and was a member of the 1962 Tangerine Bowl champions. "Playing football and getting a degree at the University of Houston changed my life and gave me a direction that I really didn't have. I am thankful for that opportunity, and we want to continue to provide opportunities to others."
"This helps us restore the quality of the facility to the level that is worthy of the names of Tom Tellez and Carl Lewis. Given the success of the program on both the men's and women's side this will set us up for even greater success with the student-athletes currently in our program and our recruiting efforts in the future," said 24 -time conference Coach of the Year Leroy Burrell. "We are fortunate that Chancellor Renu Khator, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades and our supporters believe in us to give us the opportunity to renovate and create another showpiece in the athletics department, and we are grateful for Carolyn's and Ron's generous support with this project."
"Everyone in our program is excited with what they are doing to the Track and Soccer field as well as all the athletic facilities at the University of Houston," said Soccer head coach Chris Pfau, who begins his fourth season with the Cougars in 2015. "It shows that the athletic department is committed to improving our competitive opportunities. We thank Carolyn and Ron for their support of this project and for their many years of support of our entire athletics department."
ATHLETICS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
This is only the latest capital improvement for Houston Athletics in recent years. TDECU Stadium, the $125 million home of Houston Football, opened last August, while construction continues on the Houston Basketball Development Center, which is scheduled to open this fall.
Houston Football also saw the renovation of two practice fields, while Cougar Field - the home of Houston Baseball - saw a turf field installed. Houston Softball's locker room underwent renovations. At Golf Club of Houston in nearby Humble, the home of Houston Men's and Women's Golf recently added the Mike and Pat Booker Short Game Facility.
FACILITY HISTORY
Tom Tellez Track and Carl Lewis International Complex was named for two of the greatest individuals associated with the Houston Track and Field Program. Tellez spent 22 seasons as head coach at Houston and coached 17 athletes who won 30 NCAA individual championships. His men's and women's teams captured 13 Southwest Conference and Conference USA championships between 1977 and 1998.
Lewis was Tellez' most decorated athlete was Carl Lewis, whose illustrious career included nine Olympic Gold Medals and five NCAA individual championships.
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