charlie major track

[donniesbu82]

Does anyone know if we stoill have this running track out behind shay. No one ever mentions this track and it is not in any pictures of school.

[thebonafan08]

They got rid of it once they put in the new tennis courts.

[hnk373431]

The track was removed for installation of the tennis courts. Not sure that this was one of the shining moments for the current athletic administration. The track was in good shape and was a gift done in honor of Charlie Major by his classmates who raised in excess of $50,000 for its completion. While St. Bonaventure currently does not have a track team, track is one of the core sports of almost every athletic conference. With a winter and spring season, it counts as four sports in both the A-10, Big East, and MAAC conference commissioner cup standings (two each for men and women). DePaul and Xavier are just two of the schools which recently added track to its offering of sports - primarily because it is relatively low cost and its importance in the cup standings. Charley Major was one of the greatest athletes in the history of Bonaventure and was a medal favorite for the Olympics in the high and broad jumps had he not gotten injured. It's a shame that they tore up the track. Bonavenure was the only Catholic college in the state north of New York City which had an all weather track. Not only that, getting rid of the track after the fundraising which done by Charley Major's classmates just seems tacky. Wonder if our AD is the type of guy who repackaged the crock pot that he got for a wedding present and to give it to someone else at their wedding. The tennis courts could have easily been put inside the track infield allowing for a fitting memorial to a great Bonaventure athlete while still allowing the needed new courts to be built.

[oleander]

I've often wondered why they could not have built the courts inside the track. They would have fit nicely and it just seams like a large waste of space next to the courts now. The least they could do is make it parking now.

[maplehurst]

I used to run the track on some past vists to Bonaventure. The track went past where the old Pennsylvania Railroad bed led down to the bridge over the Allegheny. I'm told if they dreged the Allegheny under the former bridge, they'd find a mother load of aluminum cans. The tennis courts were almost in the same place years ago. I think they were closer to the Route 417 overpass, which used to be wider underneath when it spanned the Erie and Pennsy. People have told me that there used to be a railroad stop and students would disembark near where the tracks bend towards Allegany. That is why Del a Roche hall has St. Bonaventure College over its door that faces the railroad-to welcome visitors.

[ThomasMerton]

It's time to build an all-purpose, all-weather facility. Let the fundaraising begin! We'll repackage it as the "Chuck.''

[oleander]

Out of the 14 schools in the A10

10 participate in women track
9 in mens track
11 in indoor track
7 in Field hockey
10 in volleyball


To me, it seems that these inexpensive sports would be a no brainer to add. For each sport you add an average of 20-30 students and thats just the athletes.

[sbuSTUDent2005]

Actually, the track was in pretty rough shape when it was torn up. I was on the track team in high school and brought my spikes up with me to run on the track only to find that I couldn't. That wouldn't have been a problem had the track not been covered in dirt was not very good for traction. I had hoped the athletic department would have just refinished the track with a newer rubberized surface but instead they chose to tear it up. I was in favor of having a track team and still am. As for ThomasMerton's post, I had heard that Coach Sudbrook had originally wanted the donated money to go to an indoor practice facility for all sports rather than field renovations but that certain people wouldnt allow it. I for one would love an indoor practice facility for our athletes. It would allow for an indoor track team and an indoor practice area for all of the outdoor sports teams. It would be a great addition to the campus.

[MIKE MACALUSO]

this may sound a bit goofy, but in the area that i live in baseball is quite popular. instead of building a new building, several baseball organizations rent warehouses or warehouse space for indoor baseball sessions. for 12-15k per year we rent 7500 square feet which allows us to hang two 76' hitting cages, two 60'6" pitching areas with mounds, an area to throw 180' and an area which holds weights, etc. the ceilings are 22 feet tall, so doing long toss is possible...this may not be the most ideal solution to sbu baseball issues, but a viable alternative given space available in the olean/allegany area.

[wgt]

I was on the tennis courts commencement weekend. There appears to be room around the courts to accomodate a new track with very minimal grading & tree removal.

[risaint05]

thebonafan08 said:

They got rid of it once they put in the new tennis courts.

Tennis courts??? Wow. I'm not a fan of that decision.

Track > Tennis.

[oleander]

vtsaint05 said:

thebonafan08 said:

They got rid of it once they put in the new tennis courts.

Tennis courts??? Wow. I'm not a fan of that decision.

Track > Tennis.

Tennis courts were needed, with the addition of the Richter Center the tennis courts had to be removed. Tennis definitely needed a home, and it is one of the most successful programs we have right now (men's that is). Track isn't even a sport at the school right now, although i do think we need a team, so i could see the rational behind it. I do think they could have put the courts on the inside of the track with out getting rid of it, as i believe the courts right now are not even on the former track but in the middle anyways.

[sony]

As a Track & Field official, it is not really feasible to have a competitive T&F facility around tennis courts. The two are not compatible. A recreational track sure, but not a true competitive venue.