King University celebrated the opening of its new outdoor track today by welcoming new students, local alumni, community members, and cross country teams from UVA Wise and Mars Hill to help christen the facility.

Built on west campus, the recently completed eight-lane track features a high-performance polyurethane surface topped with a seal coat designed for shock absorption. A natural grass area in the center provides space for King’s newest varsity sport, Women’s Flag Football, as well as other teams.

“We’re excited that our student-athletes now have an exceptional facility where they can practice and compete,” said King Athletic Director David Hicks. “Traditionally, our cross country and track and field teams have been very strong, and it’s a great advantage to now have this premier, outdoor facility where they can hone their skills and welcome other teams to campus.”

In the last decade, King student-athletes have earned six Conference Carolinas women’s cross country championships, including in three of the last five years. The men’s team has also amassed six runner-up finishes at the Conference Carolinas championships and made two appearances at the NCAA Championships. In that same period of time, King won a combined three Conference Carolinas indoor and outdoor track and field championships, boasting four Conference Carolinas Track and Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year, two Academic All-Region honorees, and an Academic All-American.

“Today’s celebration marks the completion of a years-long planning and construction process,” said King President Andrew Tooley, Ph.D. “We’re grateful to our many partners who helped reshape west campus so that King can offer our students and region a state-of-the-art facility where we can gather, compete, and build community.”

King collaborated with Mattern & Craig Engineers and Surveyors of Kingsport, Tennessee, to develop conceptual plans for the facility, while BurWil Construction of Bristol, Tennessee, was the construction partner. Baker’s Construction Services of Piney Flats, Tennessee, was responsible for overseeing site preparation. The project, which cost $3.6 million, was financed by Bank of Tennessee.

For more information on King’s athletic activities, visit www.kingtornado.com.