SJSU Track & Field

“Speed city” was the nickname of San Jose State Universities (SJSU) Track & Field Facility.  The Field was named after the legendary track coach, Lloyd “Bud” Winter, for all his contributions to the university and the sport.  This field is an icon of this extraordinary track coach and his career accomplishments in San Jose.  He was the father of modern Speed training techniques for the sport of track.  According to the non-profit organization History of San Jose, Budd Winter wrote several coaching books, including the long-time bestseller “So You Want to be Sprinter”.  He was an assistant Olympic coach in 1960, coached 37 world record holders, 102 NCAA All-Americans, 49 NCAA record holders, and 27 Olympians. 

Although this man had accomplished great feats as a coach at SJSU, history remembers the famous athletes he trained.  Through (1956-1973) SJSU had a world class Track & Field team that produced several Olympians; Ray Norton, Robert Poynter, John Carlos and Tommie Smith being some of the most famous names to come from his program and University.  There success in the sport attracted the attention of many other athletes around the world to train with Bud Winter in San Jose.  Because of their actions, the city would later be nicknamed "Speed City" for its worldwide renown for training successful track athletes.

In 1988 SJSU ended their track program during a championship season.  Since then Bud Winter field has been kept in its original state.   The University now uses the field as alternative parking during baseball, football, and soccer games.  The track is in poor condition:  there are holes in the track turf matting; the plaque that commemorates the field to Bud Winter is slowly eroding away.  In the last two years SJSU has planned to replace the field with a soccer complex and parking lot.  This is disgraceful to the history of  San Jose and the University.  Winter field has hosted several famous meets and has been home to many famous athletes.  It is important that this relic be Remodeled into a new track facility for future use.

Reference:

Courtesy of the history of San Jose organization

http://www.speedcityera.com/

The city of San Jose has sanctioned $14million dollars to help SJSU build new sporting complex were Winter Field resides.  We are trying to convince city council, SJSU Associated Student Body, and others in the San José community to build a master planed multi-purpose facility that includes a track component . 

Join our coalition, and help us rebuild “Speed City”.  We need Volunteers to help out 

If you are interested in joining our cause find out more by contacting our administrators:

E-mail:             sjsutrackfield@gmail.com

Call:

 William Brown:               (510) 406-2652