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Board of Regents approves naming of Pittsburg State track for coach Russ Jewett
Summary
The Kansas Board of Regents approved Pittsburg State University's request to name its new donor-funded outdoor track and field facility the Russ Jewett Outdoor Track And Field Complex. The facility includes an Olympic-level 400-meter track, seating for 1,700 and a 20-by-50 HD video board.
The Kansas Board of Regents on April 15 approved a request from Pittsburg State University to name the school's new outdoor track and field facility the Russ Jewett Outdoor Track And Field Complex.
President Thomas Newsom presented the request to the regents and said the complex includes "a state of the art Olympic level 400 meter track and warm up area" and that "all field event areas are self contained within the complex perimeter and equipped with Olympic level track and field equipment." He described facility features including a 20-by-50 high-definition video board with sound, LED lighting, permanent seating for 1,700 spectators, a working press box, restrooms and storage buildings.
Newsom also reviewed Jewett's record at Pittsburg State, saying Jewett was an accomplished athlete and long-time coach who led multiple conference championships and won NCAA Division II national championships in women's outdoor track and field (2016) and men's indoor track and field (2018). "It would be an honor to have Russ's name connected to the complex when we dedicate in the first weekend in May," Newsom said. He told the regents the project was "100% donor funded," and that the chief donors requested the naming.
Chair Benson thanked Newsom and closed discussion before calling for a motion. The meeting record notes "a motion by Regent Amar" to approve the naming, followed by a second; the regents approved the request by voice vote. Chair Benson then adjourned the special meeting.
The naming recognizes Russ Jewett's long tenure with Pittsburg State's track and field program: Newsom said Jewett began at Pittsburg State as a coach in 1985, became head coach of both the men's and women's teams in 1987, and retired from coaching in 2021 after multiple conference titles and hall of fame inductions. Newsom said the dedication is planned for the MIAA outdoor track and field championships in early May.
The regents' action as recorded was an approval of the naming request; no formal dissent or detailed vote tally was entered into the record during this brief special meeting.
