AUSTIN, Texas – The NCAA announced The University of Texas as the host of the 2019 and 2020 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday (19 April).
Texas will host the national championship meet for the first time since 2004 with Mike A. Myers Stadium set to again welcome the nation’s best to compete for the title.
“What an awesome opportunity it is to host the 2019 and 2020 NCAA Track & Field Championships,” Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. “Our great state has a well-documented passion for Track & Field and we have a rich, storied tradition in the sport, so I’m really excited that we will have the privilege of celebrating that once again at Mike A. Myers Stadium. We’re thrilled to be selected to stage another major event and continue the long, proud history The University of Texas has of hosting National Championships at our venues.”
Texas Athletics put in its bid to host both the 2019 and 2020 championships after the NCAA announced those two years would be up for bid due to construction at Oregon’s Historic Hayward Field is set to begin at the conclusion of this outdoor season as Eugene prepares to host the 2021 IAAF World Outdoor Championships.
Myers Stadium served as the host for the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships and hosts one of the largest meets in the nation on an annual basis with the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays serving as the marquee meet for the facility every year. This year’s 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Built By The Home Depot welcomes more than 7,000 athletes and 200 media members to the facility for the meet.
With a seating capacity of 20,000, Myers Stadium is one of the largest track stadiums in the U.S. This year’s Texas Relays saw a total attendance of 45,612 during the four days of action, including 20,704 on the final day of the meet. The stadium is regularly packed to capacity for the UIL Texas State Championship meet every year as well.
Interim Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey is excited for Texas to host the NCAA Championships, showcase its amazing facility and welcome the best student-athletes on the planet to Austin for the premier meet in collegiate track.
“This is an exciting moment for Texas to host the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2019 and 2020,” Buford-Bailey said. “Mike A. Myers Stadium is among the best track venues in the nation and I’m just excited to showcase our facility and our amazing city of Austin as we welcome the best track & field athletes here to compete for championships.
“Our fans are dedicated and have shown great support for track & field by filling the stands each year for Texas Relays, and I know they will do us proud and make Myers Stadium an incredible atmosphere for these national championship meets.”
Myers Stadium has seen some of the best performances in NCAA history as well with two collegiate records being broken at the facility during the 2017 season. A total of 21 marks currently ranking among the top 10 in NCAA history were achieved at Myers Stadium.
Mike A. Myers Stadium History
First Meet: March 20, 1999 – Texas Opener
NCAA Championships Site: 2004
NCAA West Preliminary Rounds Site: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017
NCAA Midwest Regional Site: 2006
Current Collegiate Records Set at Myers Stadium
Men’s 400m: 43.70, Fred Kerley, Texas A&M, 5/27/20107
