Track Facilities Resource Guide 2008

ATF Special Supplement Vol 15. no.7 PUBLISHERS NOTE. Dear Readers: This publication is an example of how media should work with associations. As a former Track coach at high school, community college, college and club level, and publisher of ATF for almost two decades, I was always curious as to what went into building the right track and field facility for your program. I have heard horror stories for years, big schools, small schools, all with the same horror stories. Or variations---the track just did not work. The goal of this publication is to help decision makers understand the work involved in constructing a track and how to build the right track for your budget and facility requirements.

Nearly a decade ago, we began working with the ASBA on occasional articles. For the past 4 years, we've run, in each and every issue of ATF and in some issues of American Track & Field and Coaching Athletics Quarterly pieces by the ASBA staffers on various topics.

The ASBA's Mary Helen Sprecher is the person responsible for all the features in this issue. Mary Helen came to me with the idea last spring, and we jumped on it. Mary Helen is a superb resource, as has been the soon retiring Carol Hogan. Mary Helen's pictures is on page 2. Carol Hogan will be sorely missed at the ASBA.

I want to thank all of the ASBA members who ran ads or directory listings. Your ad dollars made this issue a reality, for that I thank you. The 35,000 track coaches, ADs and facility managers who will receive this are the readers of American Track & Field and Coaching Athletics Quarterly.

So, here is our suggestion: Get a walk or run in, grab a cup of coffee and take some time and go thru the 2008 AT&F Track Facilities Guide (note: click on this link to download the .pdf file TrackFacilities08.pdf.) Tell us what you like, tell us what you need for the future. We'll start planning the 2009 edition with the ASBA in December! See many of you at the ASBE Meeting in December!

Have a great holiday!
Larry Eder