Kenny Bednarek’s Hometown Wisconsin’s track and field scene is running into a major hurdle—literally. The Camp Randall Sports Center, better known as “The Shell,” has officially run out of laps after 68 years. It was closed to the regular public in 2023 itself, but track teams continued to use it till the end. This facility was scheduled for demolition to give way to a new indoor practice facility, and this has been a major setback for Wisconsin’s track and field team. The transition has created a lot of panic and derailed the efforts of many athletes in search of proper training facilities for the forthcoming indoor season.

The Shell was an old facility that was much cherished by the Wisconsin track and field team as their primary indoor training facility. The Shell was, however, important for training pole vaulters, jumpers, sprinters, and throwers despite having poor infrastructure and being an old building. This structure has been a known fact that it will be demolished to give way to new development for years, and it was a shock to the system when there was no other place for them to train.

Importance of the Camp Randall Sports Center in Wisconsin’s Track and field scene

“The Shell wasn’t a palace, but it was a place we could go to train and practice,” said Julia Moore, a senior pole vaulter at Wisconsin. “Right now, we have nothing,” said Moore. “It doesn’t matter if in 2026 we have a really sad, three-lane track. Right now, we have nothing.” According to the plan, a new indoor facility worth $11 million is being invested in the track program; it will include a five-lane, 110m way for sprinters to practice. But it’s going to take time, as it’s expected to be completed in 2026. Moore’s irritation echoes the feeling among many of her peers who find themselves without a dedicated indoor space as the 2024-25 indoor season approaches. Without the Shell, these athletes now face a number of challenges, especially those requiring specific facilities like pole vault pits or tracks for sprinting and jumping exercises.

The Shell was more than just a training ground—it was a sanctuary for athletes, a place where they could hone their skills and prepare for competition in the often harsh Wisconsin winters. It had a running surface, designated areas for pole vaulting, and spaces for jumpers and throwers to practice, which are now sorely missed. “We used to come here to train, and it was the only place that could accommodate all of us at once,” Moore explains. “Now we’re spread out, trying to find places to practice, and it’s just not the same.”

The loss of the Shell has created a major gap in Wisconsin’s athletic infrastructure. Athletes are now forced to use synthetic turf fields, which are not designed for track events or commute to other locations like the Madison Pole Vault Club, which has a shorter runway than competition standards. These solutions are temporary and insufficient, leaving athletes unable to properly prepare for events like the pole vault and throwing competitions. “It is disappointing because I feel like it is something that has been known about for so long,” said Kyla Saleh, a sophomore heptathlete from Waunakee. “It’s almost surprising that we’re in the situation that we are.”

Transition and concerns over interim facilities

The officials in Wisconsin had initially planned for a temporary indoor training solution to be in place during the demolition period and until the new facility was completed. However, those plans fell through at the last minute, leaving athletes stranded without a place to train as winter approached. “People underestimate the talent that we have in our coaching staff right here,” said Mick Byrne, the director of cross country and track and field at Wisconsin. “Our record speaks volumes to that. We are very good at doing an awful lot with absolutely nothing compared to the people, the schools that we compete against.”

Initially, the athletes were assured that indoor facilities would be available until the new practice venue was ready. But the restrictions imposed by another party at the last minute made the planned solution unfeasible. “We will communicate the new plan soon,” said Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh, hinting at ongoing discussions to find a viable solution. Despite this, the details remain scarce, leaving athletes and coaches to make do with limited resources, which is bound to hinder the ability of the sprinters as their practice sessions are interrupted, combined with a toll on their minds. “What I think we really need to be asking is who benefits from a $285 million investment that they’re putting forth for the football program in this other facility, and who’s getting left behind,” said Kelsey Card, 2016 NCAA discus champion and former Wisconsin athlete. “The current design offers no long-term strategy for the university’s track and field and cross-country programs.”

The planned facility closures have also drawn scrutiny for potential Title IX implications. The Voice in Sport Foundation highlighted concerns about equity, pointing out that Wisconsin’s loss of an indoor track and field facility might deprioritize a sport offering substantial opportunities for women athletes. Stef Strack, the foundation’s CEO, emphasized that Title IX evaluations consider whether institutions provide equitable access to facilities and experiences for both men and women. A Title IX complaint against Wisconsin athletics was filed in September 2023, citing disparities in roster opportunities and scholarships for women athletes, further spotlighting the importance of addressing these inequities during facility transitions.

The planned $285 million investment is aimed at enhancing football facilities, which Card and others have criticized for overlooking the needs of track and field athletes. Early plans had shown the McClain Center—another existing facility—being repurposed as a dedicated indoor track venue. However, those plans were later altered to demolish and replace the McClain Center with a building housing football locker rooms and meeting rooms, further sidelining track and field interests.

Now Wisconsin prepares to open its new indoor practice facility in 2026; there is a pressing need for a sustainable strategy to support all athletes on campus. The current setup provides only temporary solutions, leaving many track and field athletes without access to essential training facilities. Better planning beforehand could have been a game changer, but lack of interim training has underscored the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports all sports, particularly those that may not receive as much visibility or funding. As the new facility takes shape, there must be a commitment to ensuring that the needs of athletes across the board—football, track, and field, among others—are met in the long term. The challenge now is to avoid a repeat of this situation by ensuring that the new facility doesn’t just cater to the football program but also includes robust provisions for Wisconsin’s track and field community.