ISU Bengal

Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Lavanya Vasudevan ISU track and Field Coach Dave Nielson adjusts his watch during Friday´s Meet in Holt.

Over the years ISU has played host to the Big Sky Championships, the Simplot Games, and other events that have put a spotlight on the university. Once again ISU hopes to be the center of attention with a bid to play host to the NCAA indoor track and field Championships.

The NCAA Track Championship is in essence the Final Four of the track world. As division I competition, it draws participants from universities all over the country including Florida, Virginia, and Nebraska. With such a large event, why does ISU feel it is the best school to be host?

"We have a great facility," says Dave Nielson, head coach of the ISU track team. "We are not perfect but we are as good as the other sites and we have seating that is compatible to the number of people that would come."

The competition would be held approximately 3 weeks after the Simplot Games and would be a two day event taking place on Friday and Saturday. Events in the championship will include running events such as the 55 meter, 55 meter hurdles, 200 meter, 5000 meter and the 4 x 400 relay. Field events would include long jump, triple jump, shot put and the weight throw.

The championships have been held in Fayetteville Arkansas the previous 6 years. While Arkansas still has a bid in, other schools such as UNC Charlotte, Boise State, and ISU also have bids in for the coveted host position which is a 3 year commitment.

Hosting the NCAA championship will not be a terribly heavy burden on the university. Unlike basketball championships, the track championship does not require the university to put money directly up front. Also, many changes to the facility will not be necessary since ISU also plays host to the Simplot Games.

Hosting a NCAA event will not only benefit ISU, but the city of Pocatello as well. A large sporting event brings revenue into the community, much like the DNCF Rodeo and the Simplot Games have done in the past. The championship will also bring positive attention to the community.

"For us to host something like this reflects well and shows that we are not just some town stuck up in the mountains in Idaho," says Nielson. "We are a thriving community that has much to offer."

It will not be known whether or not ISU has won the bid for the championships until March or April, but Coach Nielson, along with the track team and the university have their fingers crossed. The NCAA Track Championship will be a great opportunity to spotlight a great university.

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