University of Houston Athletics
Houston to Install Indoor Banked Track
12/18/2018 11:10:00 AM | Track and Field
Cougars partner with Net Lease Capital for indoor facility improvements
HOUSTON – The Houston Cougar Track & Field program has continually elevated the Houston brand in competition and now its facilities will be elevated with the installation of a new, state-of-the-art indoor track prior to the start of the 2019 Indoor home season.
"Our Track & Field program has proven itself as world class and rightfully deserves world-class facilities to match its student-athletes' efforts," Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We cannot thank Net Lease Capital enough for its generosity and partnership on this project. Combined with the recent renovation of the Carl Lewis International Complex, our Track & Field program offers student-athletes looking to compete in premiere facilities coupled with an exceptional coaching staff."
Installation of the track will include a six-lane, 200-meter banked oval, an eight-lane straightaway for 60-meter hurdles and sprints. The installation also includes two horizontal jump runways with sand pits and two pole vault runways, boxes and pits.
"It has been a goal of mine to someday get a banked track in the facility during my career here. I'm excited to say that it will happen in a few days now thanks to the generous donation and partnership with Net Lease Capital, FasTrak, Doug, Thor and Steve," Head Coach Leroy Burrell said. "I also would be remiss if I didn't thank our athletics administration for sharing our vision and helping us to make a dream a reality. Today is a game-changing day for our program. Our current and future student-athletes will benefit greatly from the state of the art facility we will have and will continue the tradition of excellence that is Houston Cougar Track & Field."
The new indoor banked track, which is valued at $2 million, was donated by Doug Blough and Net Lease Capital, while Net Least Capital Chief Financial Officer Thor Jacobs and Steve McBride provided tremendous help during the process. With the donation comes a 10-year partnership with Net Lease Capital to hold meets for all ages.
"On behalf of Net Least Capital Advisors, we are excited to have found a permanent home for our 200-meter indoor banked track at one of the most prestigious track programs in the country, the University of Houston," Net Least Capital Managing Partner & CFO Doug Blough said. "Our operating company, FasTrak Athletix is thrilled at the opportunity to work with Houston Athletics and of course two members of track and field royalty, Leroy Burrell and Carl Lewis. Our partnership will elevate Houston facilities to world-class levels that will garner international exposure for the university, the sport and aspiring athletes. It is our sincere desire to have our partnership see Houston become the mecca of college track and field while enabling FasTrak Athletix to provide rewarding competition for thousands of future collegiate athletes for years to come."
Houston's new track was built in Tallinn, Estonia at the home office of Valeri Bukreyev, the owner, engineer and designer of Kanstet LTD. Bukreyev is a two-time Estonian Olympic pole vaulter who qualified in the 1992 and 1996 Games. Bukreyev has created many tracks for IAAF meets including the 2006 Moscow World Indoor and 2017 Serbia European Indoor.
"This track not only enables our athletes to be able to compete and practice on a world-class banked track, but it also gives us the opportunity to support our community meets at all levels," Associate Head Coach Will Blackburn said. "This not only helps the University of Houston, but it benefits the Houston track and field community."
FOLLOW THE COUGARS
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the Cross Country team has established its own official Facebook (facebook.com/UHCougarTF) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarTF).
"Our Track & Field program has proven itself as world class and rightfully deserves world-class facilities to match its student-athletes' efforts," Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We cannot thank Net Lease Capital enough for its generosity and partnership on this project. Combined with the recent renovation of the Carl Lewis International Complex, our Track & Field program offers student-athletes looking to compete in premiere facilities coupled with an exceptional coaching staff."
Installation of the track will include a six-lane, 200-meter banked oval, an eight-lane straightaway for 60-meter hurdles and sprints. The installation also includes two horizontal jump runways with sand pits and two pole vault runways, boxes and pits.
"It has been a goal of mine to someday get a banked track in the facility during my career here. I'm excited to say that it will happen in a few days now thanks to the generous donation and partnership with Net Lease Capital, FasTrak, Doug, Thor and Steve," Head Coach Leroy Burrell said. "I also would be remiss if I didn't thank our athletics administration for sharing our vision and helping us to make a dream a reality. Today is a game-changing day for our program. Our current and future student-athletes will benefit greatly from the state of the art facility we will have and will continue the tradition of excellence that is Houston Cougar Track & Field."
The new indoor banked track, which is valued at $2 million, was donated by Doug Blough and Net Lease Capital, while Net Least Capital Chief Financial Officer Thor Jacobs and Steve McBride provided tremendous help during the process. With the donation comes a 10-year partnership with Net Lease Capital to hold meets for all ages.
"On behalf of Net Least Capital Advisors, we are excited to have found a permanent home for our 200-meter indoor banked track at one of the most prestigious track programs in the country, the University of Houston," Net Least Capital Managing Partner & CFO Doug Blough said. "Our operating company, FasTrak Athletix is thrilled at the opportunity to work with Houston Athletics and of course two members of track and field royalty, Leroy Burrell and Carl Lewis. Our partnership will elevate Houston facilities to world-class levels that will garner international exposure for the university, the sport and aspiring athletes. It is our sincere desire to have our partnership see Houston become the mecca of college track and field while enabling FasTrak Athletix to provide rewarding competition for thousands of future collegiate athletes for years to come."
Houston's new track was built in Tallinn, Estonia at the home office of Valeri Bukreyev, the owner, engineer and designer of Kanstet LTD. Bukreyev is a two-time Estonian Olympic pole vaulter who qualified in the 1992 and 1996 Games. Bukreyev has created many tracks for IAAF meets including the 2006 Moscow World Indoor and 2017 Serbia European Indoor.
"This track not only enables our athletes to be able to compete and practice on a world-class banked track, but it also gives us the opportunity to support our community meets at all levels," Associate Head Coach Will Blackburn said. "This not only helps the University of Houston, but it benefits the Houston track and field community."
FOLLOW THE COUGARS
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the Cross Country team has established its own official Facebook (facebook.com/UHCougarTF) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarTF).
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