WIAA locks down national track and field meet venue until 2026 | High school

The WIAA State Track and Field Meet will continue to be held in La Crosse.

The WIAA has entered into five-year contracts with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Explore La Crosse to host the State Championships in Athletics at La Crosse through 2026, the WIAA announced in a press release Thursday. .

The agreement with UW-La Crosse provides that the WIAA may use Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field and Mitchell Hall during the state meet. Additionally, from 2023, the land can also be used in the state meet.

WIAA regional track meets are held on Monday, with section meets on May 26. The state meeting is scheduled for June 3-4.

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Roger Harring Stadium, which opened in 2008, has 9,556 seats with additional seating and standing room available for the state meet.

“The exceptional track and field facilities along with the community and university support make it the greatest of experiences for all who participate – student-athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators,” said the director. WIAA General Manager, Stephanie Hauser. The version.

The efforts of UW-La Crosse and Explore La Crosse and sponsor partnerships with area businesses have made La Crosse an attractive site for the state track.

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“UW-La Crosse is very pleased to continue its 32-year partnership with the WIAA and continue to serve as the host site for the state track and field competition,” said UW-La Crosse Chancellor. , Joe Gow. “This is a great event that showcases the exceptional hospitality of the La Crosse community.”

The state meet has been held at UW-La Crosse since 1990, with the exception of 2020 when the event was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The meet moved from Madison in 1990.

The meet – normally the last weekend in May or the first weekend in June – drew an average attendance of 15,732 people over the 31 years at La Crosse, including an average of 21,000 in the five years before the pandemic. The expected annual economic impact of the state meet in the La Crosse area is approximately $4 million, according to the release.