Campus Connection

UW-La Crosse is gearing up to host 800 athletes and thousands of screaming fans during the 2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day meet will be at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex May 23-25, 2013. The annual meet is the NCAA Division III’s largest championship event of the year. The NCAA Division III Championships Committee recently approved the university as host, making this the third time the competition has been held on campus. Previous years were 1986 and 1997. However, competitors in 2013 will be on new turf. Construction on the $16.6 million Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex began in June 2008 and the first event was held at the new facility May 14, 2009. The new stadium has approximately 6,250 seats, plus expanded locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and training facilities. In addition to a football field and running track, the entire complex is lighted and features a soccer field, recreation and intramural fields, a football practice field and other amenities. A Veterans’ Hall of Honor in the stadium celebrates the contributions of America’s veterans. The sports complex was funded primarily by private dollars and is a partnership among members of the UW-L campus community, alumni, local schools and the wider La Crosse community. Stadium history: Originally owned by the city of La Crosse and named Fairground Football Field, the stadium was dedicated and renamed in honor of veterans from all wars in 1948. After the university bought the facility from the City of La Crosse for $1 in 1987, a major renovation was financed by the State Building Commission to improve the structure and exterior appearance of the stadium. The new facility was dedicated at a special program Sept. 12, 2009. Playing host: UW-L has hosted the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) State Track Meet since 1990. The 2011 WIAA State Track Meet is scheduled for June 3-4. The university has hosted several other national competitions, including the 2011 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The two-day tournament March 11-12 in the La Crosse Center drew 8,750 spectators, the second-highest figure in championship history. The university will host the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships, March 9-10 in the La Crosse Center. National championships hosted by UW-La Crosse 1965, 1970 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Swimming 1973, 1976, 1981 NAIA Men’s Gymnastics 1989, 1997, 2005 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Women’s Gymnastics 1986, 1997 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field 1995 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross Country 2011, 2012 NCAA Division III Wrestling NAIA and NCAA Football Playoff Games (various) NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament Matches (various)