Audrey J. Walton Stadium

Considered one of the finest track and soccer facilities in the Midwest, the Audrey J. Walton Track-Soccer Stadium earned the reputation before the building completion in the summer of 1996.

Made possible by Walton's $1 million donation in 1996 and dedicated at the Big 12 Conference Track and Field Championships in May of 1998, Audrey J. Walton Stadium is one of the most innovative complexes in the nation, spurring builders of future track complexes to take note.

Built to IAAF specifications and utilizing a Martin ISS-1000 embedded surface, the complex consists of a 400-meter track with eight 48-inch lanes; runways for the long jump, triple jump and pole vault; a large high jump apron with a javelin runway; and multiple rings for the shot put and discus.

Walton donated an additional $1 million expansion and renovation complex last year. The funds financed the resurfacing of the 10-year old track and the creation of a world-class competitive throws field just north of the track complex.

"The University of Missouri track and field program is so close to my heart and I am so proud of all that Coach McGuire, the staff and his team have accomplished," said Walton. "It is very important that we continue to provide the very best for our students at Mizzou as we attract the best and brightest to our University."

As part of the renovation, the track surface at Audrey J. Walton Stadium was recently completely replaced, repainted and calibrated resulting in an international competition-level surface. Additionally, new fixtures were installed around the track for the field and jump events. Also completed were a new throws field for the hammer throw and discus, as well as the addition of two shot put rings, a practice javelin runway, and the expansion of the current competition shot put sector to accommodate for a world-record performance.

"We are so thankful for Mrs. Walton's generosity to the track program and to Mizzou," said Mizzou Director of Athletics Mike Alden. "Mrs. Walton and her family have been long-time supporters of the vision of Mizzou. She has consistently set the standard for support of the University of Missouri."

Audrey J. Walton Stadium possesses all the amenities that comprise today's top dual-sports facilities in the nation. Sitting on the west side of the track, the stadium serves the track and soccer teams on one side and softball on the other. The softball field was turned to place home plate in the northwest corner, backing it up to the track/soccer venue. This allows all service facilities to play double duty. For example, the entry plaza services both facilities meaning the restrooms, concession stands and ticket booths were not duplicated. There is also a full-size press box to accommodate the media for track, soccer and softball.

In 2005 for the second-annual Audrey Walton Combined Events, Missouri hosted in Audrey J. Walton Stadium the first women's decathlon held in North America. Former Kansas State heptathlete Austra Skujyte broke the IAAF's newly-ratified World record in the event, scoring 8,358 points.

As the University of Missouri continues to expand its efforts to accommodate its roughly 450 student-athletes, the track and field and soccer teams are both recent beneficiaries. Long awaited by Missouri coaches, athletes and fans, the track complex opened in 1997 and was host of the 1998, 2000, and most recently, the 2002 Big 12 Track and Field Outdoor Championships. In addition, the track facilities will host the 2007 NCAA Mideast Regional with 90 teams descending on Columbia.

One of only a few of its kind in the nation, the stadium was featured in an article in the May 1998 Athletic Business magazine.