Facilities - R.V. Christian Track

R.V. Christian Track Facts

Opened: 1973
Surface: Beynon BSS-2000
Spectator Capacity: 3,000
Big 12 Meets Held: 2021, 2012, 2005

In 2018, the Wildcats welcomed a renovation to R.V. Christian Track that brought a resurfacing of the track, lighting fixtures as well as a number of other improvements to the facility.

The R.V. Christian Track and Field complex includes an 8-lane Beynon BSS-2000 system with Hobart encapsulate with exchange zones highlighted in Wildcat purple. The track also includes an inside purple lane and purple field event runways. The track features unique K-State branding with Powercat logos placed at the Northeast and Southwest corners of the track and K-State Track and Field lettering on the south end of the track.

Inside the eight-lane gray and purple track, R.V. Christian hosts a number of field events on the infield of the track, including two horizontal jump pits, a high jump pit, pole vault pit and javelin throw area. At the northwest corner of the track, the Wildcats also implemented the Mark A. Chapman Shot Put area.

In addition to the renovation of the track, the 2018 renovations included the installation of four lighting fixtures and a press box located on the west side of the complex.

The R.V. Christian Complex also features a Ring of Honor, men's and women's locker room, team room and offices located at the northeast corner of the stadium.

Permanent seating for approximately 2,500 is located on the west side of the facility, which was originally constructed in 1973 prior to a $1.4 million renovation in 2004. Additional seating for nearly 500 is installed on the east side of the track.

A substantial contribution from the estate of Dr. R.V. Christian, a 1911 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, made the first facility possible.

The R.V. Christian Track Complex was put to the test in 2005, as it was the site of the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships. It was the first Big 12 Conference meet held in Manhattan and first outdoor conference championship since the Big Eight Championships in 1985. Over the course of the three day meet, 14 facility records were broken.

With easy access to the track and other field venues, this sparkling new facility offers the K-State outdoor track and field teams a place to prepare for competition, hold team meetings, gather for team events, or just to relax before or after practice or events.

Outside the building is the K-State Track and Field Ring of Honor. The half-circle shaped monument at the entrance to the track and field locker room and team room features names and dates of past stars of the celebrated K-State track and field history.

Facilities - Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track

Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track Facts

Opened: 2024
Surface: Mondo

During the 2023-24 season, the K-State track and field teams utilized the brand new indoor track and field complex as their home facility. On October 25, 2024 the track was named after former Director of Track & FIeld/Cross Country Cliff Rovelto, the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track, after his 36 years of dedication to the program.

The new 200-meter, 6-lane oval, permanent banked track features Mondo's Super X 720 surface, which provides the optimal blend of energy return, comfort, safety and durability for everything from daily training to the toughest competitions.

An 8-lane sprint straightaway, a pole vault lane, two long jump/triple jump lanes, throw areas, a four-lane warm-up straightaway and non-competition areas around the track also showcase Mondo's Super X 720 surface. The competition surfaces, as well as the warm-up lanes, are in a shade of purple Mondo custom created for the program.

In a typical year, K-State hosts multiple indoor events, including the DeLoss Dodds Invitational and the Steve Miller Invitational. In 2018, K-State won the KSU-KU-WSU Triangular at Ahearn Field House for the first time since hosting the inaugural meeting in 2015.

The K-State Athletic Department funded the project, which cost approximately $12 million, through private gifts and department dollars. The building was home to the K-State Football indoor practice field before the completion of the Shamrock Indoor Practice Facility in December of 2022.

Phase two of the indoor track and field complex project will include a new exterior facade on the north end of the building as well as new locker rooms, team rooms and training rooms. A timetable for completion of phase two has yet to be finalized.

Monique Hardy in the weight throw during the Steve Miller Invite at the K-State indoor track and field complex

Historic Facilities - Ahearn Field House

Ahearn Field House Facts

Opened: 1950
Closed: 2023
Surface: Rekortan
Track Name: Ward Haylett Track
Big 12 Meets Held: 1999

Prior to the 2024 indoor season, the K-State track and field teams utilized historic Ahearn Field House during the indoor track and field season as their home facility.

The track, named after legendary coach Ward Haylett, hosted three conference championships, including the 1999 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Ahearn Field House was the product of a 10-year drive by several people, most notably Athletics Director Mike Ahearn and head men's basketball coach Jack Gardner. The $2 million structure opened on December 9, 1950.

The venue is was one of America's show-place indoor facilities. It housed the K-State natatorium, basketball and tennis courts, and also played host to K-State Volleyball up until the 2019 season.

Ahearn Field House was also home to the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships in 2004.

In the summer of 2008, Ahearn Field House completed over $800,000 in improvements to the building, including lighting, track resurfacing and sports medicine upgrades.

Ahearn Field House first opened its doors in 1950 and played host to its first basketball game the same season. Ahearn was opened due to the expiring of Nichols Hall, which led to a seating capacity of 14,000 in Ahearn Field House. Upon opening, Ahearn Field House was one of the first and largest purpose-built basketball arenas in the country. In 1988, Kansas State unveiled basketball's new home, Bramlage Coliseum.