Lyle Bennett Outdoor Track

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QUICK FACTS

Official Name: Lyle Bennett Outdoor Track
Location: Central Michigan University Campus
Address: 300 E Broomfield Street, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858
Size: 400 meter track with infield
Date Opened: 1999
First Meet: N/A
Capacity: 1,000

THE FACILITY

During the outdoor track and field season, the Chippewas practice at the Lyle Bennett Outdoor Track, which is a 400-meter track featuring eight running lanes with nine sprinting lanes, dual runways, three pits for long jump/triple jump and pole vault, two shot put rings, three javelin runways, and an over sized high jump apron. The track is located adjacent from Jack Skoog Indoor Track.

Lyle Bennett was a successful track and field coach at Central Michigan from 1947-70. He was also a fine athlete in football, baseball and track at CMU, earning two letters in each sport from 1925-27. Under his guidance, the Chippewa track teams went 118-81 in dual meet competition, claimed 11 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) crowns, including nine outdoor and two indoor. HIs last six teams all won outdoor championships. Bennett coached such Central standouts as Jim Podoley, Walter Beach, Ed VanderHeuval, Tom Mayville, Willie Adkins, Dave Myers, Ken Blalock and Jim Nesbitt. In 1959, he coached a touring U.S.A. team in Africa and served as president of the Central Collegiate Conference in 1960. He was elected into the Helms National Hall of Fame in 1962 and is also a member of the Alma College Hall of Fame. Bennett, who was a 20-time letterwinner at Rockford High School, also coached the Central Michigan cross country team.

AMENITIES