Commitment to Athletic Excellence

Rankin Track and Field

Rankin Track and Field was laid out at its present site in 1967. The track is named in honor of Dave Rankin, a former student-athlete and track coach at Purdue. In 1982, the nine-lane, 400-meter track was converted from imperial to metric measurements. In the fall of 1992, the track was resurfaced with “Martin” all-weather surfacing, the same material that was used at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials.

The track envelopes a field containing pole vault and high jump runways at the south end, and long and triple jump runways on both the east and west sides.  The generous field provides ample space for all throwing events.

The complex includes a state-of-the-art press box and communication center. In 1999, a $360,000 scoreboard was added to the facility in preparation for the 1999 Big Ten Championships. The complex has been the site of three conference championships (1969, 1983, and 1999). Rankin Track and Field will host the 2004 Big Ten Championships.