The track is back.
For the first time in more than a decade, the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh track and field program will finally compete on its home turf, this time on an Olympic-caliber surface at Titan Stadium that typifies the elite status the Titans have built over years of national success.
Justin Kinseth
This Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, the Titans host the UW-Oshkosh Titan Invitational at Titan Stadium, marking their first outdoor home meet since 2014. The long-awaited return comes on the heels of a $1.6 million track resurfacing project, funded by student fees and donors.
This new track has transformed the Oshkosh Sports Complex into one of the Midwest’s premier collegiate track facilities.
“Athletics are a large driver of tourism bringing athletes and spectators to Oshkosh,” said Amy Albright, executive director of Discover Oshkosh, which donated $100,000 to the new track project. “The new track will allow UWO to host meets and events that benefit the university and the entire community.”
An overhead shot of the new Titan Stadium track at the Oshkosh Sports Complex.
The new surface, installed by Beynon Sports, is the same high-performance material used at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the iconic venue of the U.S. Olympic Trials and NCAA Outdoor Championships.
“It’s a very high-grade, high-quality track surface,” said UWO track and field head coach Justin Kinseth. “The fact that we can now say our student-athletes are training and competing on a surface of that caliber is pretty exciting.”
The Titans’ outdoor track boasts two straightaways, something Kinseth points out is rare and tactically useful, especially for events like the 100-meter dash or 110-meter hurdles, which can now be run in either direction depending on wind conditions.
UWO sprinter Nolan Milas
As for the surface itself?
“They said it felt fast, Coach,” Kinseth said, recalling his athletes’ first steps on the new track. “It feels good. It’s soft, it’s fast, bouncy.”
Sophomore sprinter Nolan Milas, a marketing major from St. Charles, Illinois, agreed.
“Oh, it was really nice. It’s nicer than any track I ran on in my high school career,” Milas said. “Now that we know that it’s our home track, it’s a great feeling.”
Milas, who runs the 100- and 200-meter events, came to UW Oshkosh in part because of the track program’s reputation, even without a functioning outdoor facility.
“Track was why I came here,” he said, adding that he was also drawn to the University’s business program.
No place like home
The former surface removed, this photo was taken in April 2024.
The story of how the Titans went more than 10 years without a home meet is a combination of budget constraints, aging infrastructure and pandemic delays. When Kinseth arrived in 2017, he inherited a program with national potential but no home surface to show for it.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve traveled for every outdoor meet,” Kinseth said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Despite the challenges, UWO’s track and field program has thrived. The Titans regularly produce All-Americans, contend for conference titles, and are recognized as one of the top DIII programs in the country.
“It says a lot about the program, it says a lot about the coaches, and it says a lot about the student-athletes,” said Darryl Sims, UW-Oshkosh vice chancellor and director of athletics. “Obviously the University has what they’re most interested in academically and they get to be a part of a nationally recognized track and field program at UW-Oshkosh, just not at home until now.”
The revamped gray track stands out not just for its performance but also its striking UWO look.
Darry Sims
“Most tracks are red; we wanted to be different,” Sims said. “The gray with the white lanes really pops. Everyone who’s stepped on it or seen it has been blown away by how sharp it looks.”
Sims is thrilled that the long wait for a new track is finally over.
“To not have outdoor track meets for that length of time has been frustrating and disappointing all at the same time,” he said. “But we’re going to right the wrong this Friday and Saturday. Our track and field people are all fired up about it. We’re very, very excited.”
UWO decathalon competitor Cavan Dobberstein is eager to compete at home this weekend.
For sophomore business major and decathlete Cavan Dobberstein, from Manawa, the meet holds extra meaning.
“Having the opportunity to finally compete at home for an outdoor meet is an awesome feeling,” Dobberstein said. “It’s going to be fun competing at home in front of family and friends. Since I do the decathlon, it will be extra special, we use every surface of the track, whether it is a running, jumping or throws event. We do it all. I can’t wait.”
Spectators at the Titan Invitational will have access to watch events up close. Field events like the hammer throw, long jump, high jump and javelin are spread across the facility, with access points away from the main grandstand. For track events, spectators can watch from the ample stadium seating area.
The Titan Invitational will host teams from Carroll University, Lawrence University, Northern Michigan, Ripon College and UW-Parkside.
And this weekend is just the beginning. UW-Oshkosh is also set to host the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Outdoor Championships on May 2-3, another major milestone for a program that’s finally, and proudly, back on track.
Enjoy a drone tour of the new track:
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