BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Athletics will renovate the Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex, the home of the WKU Cross Country and Track and Field programs, this summer.
"Since 2014, we have invested over $75 million into either new or renovated athletics facilities, but had not been able to address the track surface until now," WKU Director of Athletic Todd Stewart said. "Our track, which was installed in 2008, needs to be improved and I applaud the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation for providing the monetary support for these much-needed improvements and elevating our track program's competition area to the level our other sport programs enjoy."
The existing track surface will be demoed and a new urethane track will be installed. The track will be gray with red exchange zones, and the new surface will include all markings to meet NCAA qualifications. The project will be completed by GeoSurfaces.
"I'm so excited as the new surface process is beginning to take place on our track here at WKU," WKU Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Lee Wood said. "I'm so thankful and forever grateful for our administration and the generous gift donated to make this happen. This will be a huge part of keeping the athletes healthy, excited and competitive as we look forward to building our program to new heights."
Upgrades to the facility will begin this month and renovations are expected to be completed in August.
For more information on how to support the WKU Cross Country and Track and Field programs, email Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts Benji Stewart at benjamin.stewart@wku.edu.
The Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex, which originally opened in May 2008, also features a pair of dual-pit parallel jump runways for the long and triple jump events along the home stretch, allowing men and women to compete at the same time while also taking advantage of wind direction. Similarly, the facility has a pair of dual-pit parallel pole vault runways in one D-zone. In the opposite D-zone is a space for two high jump areas. All throwing events at the Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex can be contested on the infield. The facility features a 30-foot UCS hammer cage that can also double for the discus, providing optimal safety for all contestants while also highlighting the throwing events by allowing them to be contested inside the track. Three discus circles and two javelin runways allow for flexibility dependent on the wind direction.
The complex features many aspects that honor the history of the Hilltopper Track and Field Program. In April 2023, Jesse Stuart was etched into Hilltopper history with his jersey at the entrance to the track. Stuart competed for the Hilltoppers from 1973-75, and his decorated career landed him a spot in the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1993. In addition to his 1974 National Championship, Stuart finished as an NCAA runner-up three times throughout his career. He also earned a place on the Ohio Valley Conference Half-Century Team after winning three-consecutive Shot Put Conference Championships.
In March 2025, WKU honored another decorated Hilltopper in Gayle Harris Watkins. Harris Watkins lettered four years (1976-80), earning a reputation as one of the nation's top hurdlers. She set a WKU record in the hurdles that still stands – 7.82 in the indoor 55 meters in 1980. Her 13.6 100-meter dash in the outdoors was also a school record at the time. She was a two-time AIAW All-American as a senior in 1979, finishing runner up in the long jump (19-8) and the 60-meter hurdles.
Upon entering the complex, a small garden dedicated by members of the 2024-25 Hilltopper Track and Field Team pays homage to their beloved late coach, Brent Chumbley, who passed away unexpectedly in January 2025. In March 2025, WKU Athletics announced that the home meet formerly known as the Hilltopper Relays would further be known as the Brent Chumbley Memorial Hilltopper Relays.
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