Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium

A venue that has hosted many a great meet, Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium will take on a fresh appearance in 2010 as UT hosts the SEC Championships. The eight-lane oval, situated in the heart of campus and showcasing a fresh PolyTan PUR surface applied in fall 2009, is named after the Knoxville business leader whose generosity paved the way for its development. The stadium, meanwhile, was named after the LaPorte Family of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Houston, Texas, in November 2005 for the family’s generous contributions toward enhancing the overall ambience of the facility.

That ambience was scheduled for upgrade again in 2009-10, as plans called for resurfacing the track, completing the entry plaza, upgrading the pavilion, enhancing the seating areas with brick work and adding a few other cosmetic touches.

In 2003, thanks to the LaPorte family, the property also was improved in preparation for the SEC Championships. A Daktronics video timing board was installed on the east end, a concessions/ storage building and bleacher seating were added to the south side, and aesthetic enhancements were made by paving areas adjacent to the track, remodeling the timing booth, replacing old fencing and utilizing decorative landscaping. Upgrades also included a new entry gate as well as brick columns and wrought iron fencing.

The storied venue also underwent major renovation in 1992 to improve its practicality and appearance. Three primary changes were made to the facility, including moving of the start/fi nish line to the south side of the track to best utilize favorable wind conditions, adding 2,500 temporary bleachers, and redesigning and resurfacing several fi eld event areas. In the spring of 2001, the impressive Thornton Athletics Student Life Center was added, enhancing the skyline on the southeast corner.

Tom Black Track has been the site of several prestigious meets through the years, such as the 1993 and 2003 SEC Championships, the 1994 and 2005 USA Track & Field Youth National Championships, the 1994 USA Track & Field Championships, the 1995 NCAA Championships, the 2006 NCAA Mideast Regional and the 2002 and 2007 AAU Junior Olympics. On an annual basis, the facility is home to a variety of dual and invitational events, as well as the Sea Ray Relays and Volunteer Track Classic.



 DIRECTIONS TO THE TOM BLACK TRACK AT LaPORTE STADIUM

From airport: Turn north on U.S. Highway 129 leaving airport. After crossing the Tennessee River bridge just outside of Knoxville, exit onto Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow road until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Track on right.

From I-40 east (from Nashville) and I-75 north (from Chattanooga): Follow I-40 and I-75 to I-40/I-75 junction in west Knoxville. Continue on I-40 east to U.S. Highway 129 south. Follow 129 south to the exit for Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow the road until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Track on right.

 From I-40 west (from Asheville, N.C.):   Follow I-40 west to the James White Parkway exit and exit to the left. Follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn right onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Track on right.

 From I-75 south (from Lexington, Ky.): Follow I-75 south to I-275 south just past Merchants Road. Follow I-275 to I-40 east. Exit I-40 east onto James White Parkway and follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Track on right.

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