The superior quality of the Bill Cosby Indoor Track Facility brings out the best in athletes. Housed in the Reno Livestock Events Center, a regional, multi-purpose facility that seats 3,950 for track and up to 7,200 for concerts and other events, the Bill Cosby Track is located less than a mile from the University of Nevada campus.
The track was brought to Nevada in 1991, thanks to a generous donation from entertainer and comedian, Bill Cosby. A long-time friend of the university and aficionado for track and field, Cosby would sometimes run with the track team when he was in town for shows. He saw the need for an indoor track facility, and donated $10,000 to the track program to purchase one.
A track was found in storage at the Louisiana Superdome, and though it had been built in the 1980s, it had never seen use. Valued at $250,000, Nevada was able to purchase the track with Cosby's donation.
Since being brought to Nevada in 1991, the Bill Cosby Indoor Track has been host to more than 50 collegiate and professional events. The Western Athletic Conference awarded Nevada the hosting responsibilities of both the 2001 and 2002 indoor championships.
Every year, teams from all over the country come to Reno to compete in indoor meets hosted by Nevada. The athletes benefit from the fast track and gently sloped curves, which is what brings out the best in each athlete.
In 1995, the track received its greatest testimonial when the USA Mobil Grand Prix Series made its way to Reno.
World-class athletes such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Michael Johnson have competed at the facility. Joyner-Kersee made use of the fast boards and broke the American record in the 400-meter hurdles. Johnson also used it to his advantage when he broke the world record in the indoor 400-meter run with a time of 44.97 seconds. Thrower Lance Deal broke his own world record in the 35-pound weight throw with a toss of 81' 8.5".
In addition to the indoor track, the Wolf Pack has access to a number of top-notch practice facilities as well. Student-athletes in the running events utilize the outdoor track at Mackay Stadium while field event facilities were constructed on the recently aquired former Bishop Manogue facility adjacent to Nevada's existing athletics facilities.
Found in the heart of downtown Reno, Virginia Lake serves as the primary practice grounds for the Pack's 2003 WAC Champion cross country team. Utilizing the lake and nearby mountain and city trails, Nevada's distance runners are able to take advantage of the Reno/Tahoe altitude of 4,500-6,800 in and near the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Directions to Bill Cosby Track at the Reno Livestock-Events Center
From Reno-Tahoe International Airport:
Take 395 north and then take Interstate 80 west. Take the Wells Street exit and head north. The Livestock-Events Center is about a quarter-mile down on the right. There are parking lots all around the indoor facility and the outdoor Reno Rodeo grounds. This is also the Nevada State Fairgrounds.
From Interstate 80:
Take Interstate 80 west. Take the Wells Street exit and head north. The Livestock-Events Center is about a quarter-mile down on the right. There are parking lots all around the indoor facility and the outdoor Reno Rodeo grounds. This is also the Nevada State Fairgrounds.
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