Long Beach State men’s and women’s track and field student-athletes are perennial contenders in their various disciplines, but the last time they actually competed on campus was in 2005.

The track became so worn out that they had to use off-campus facilities, but that’s about to change as the Jack Rose Track and related field competition sites are undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation.

“I have traveled all over the nation with our program and have seen the best facilities in the country firsthand,” said Andy Sythe, head track and field coach. “When our new facility is complete, participants and coaches will see many of the best features of all these facilities combined into ours.”

The Beach will become will become only the 12th U.S. track to be certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body for track and field, enabling Long Beach State to host NCAA, USA Track and Field, and IAAF events. One of those will be the Big West Conference Championships in May 2016, which returns to The Beach after a 15-year hiatus.

Phase I funding is coming from the university, but the goal is to expand the facility with a video scoreboard and sound system, 5,000 audience seats and other amenities. Fundraising is under way for these and more than $250,000 worth of equipment. For instance, donors can give $500 for a named hurdle.

When The Beach kicks off its outdoor season next spring, the late head track coach Jack Rose will smile down on his namesake facility.

For more information, contact Wayne Stickney, 562.985.5402, wayne.stickney@csulb.edu.