For the first time in 25 years, athletes met at Tecumseh High School to compete in a Track & Field Meet. The competition was the culmination of the many years of hard work, fundraisers, and corporate partnerships that made the construction of a brand-new, all-weather track around Tecumseh High School’s football field possible. Tecumseh’s former track was made of gravel, making it impossible to host track meets at home.
Before the all-weather track was built, Tecumseh’s athletic department formed partnerships with local schools so the Track team had places to practice. As one senior athlete points out, the arrangement meant the team was also split up during practices, “The new track allows us to see each other more and practice all together, which makes us a better team since we get to know each other much better.”
According to Tecumseh Athletic Booster member, Dave Suther, a lot of the funding for Tecumseh’s all-weather track project came from fundraisers sponsored by Tecumseh’s Athletic Boosters, including the sales from the club’s popular concession stand. A partnership with PepsiCo brought in additional funds. Suther says the Booster club continues its support of Tecumseh’s track project by providing funds to help the school purchase new track and field equipment.
Senior Track team members gush at how nice the track is, hinting that some of their Tecumseh Alumni parents feel both happy and a little jealous that their children get to run on the new all-weather track. “My mom graduated in the 90’s and is always saying how nice this track is and that she hopes I know how lucky I am to run on it, because she didn’t have anything this nice to run on when she was in school,” laughs one athlete.
That mom may get a chance to run on the track after all. Athletic director, Greg Eier, say all community members are welcome to use the track as long as none of the athletic teams are using it for practice, “We encourage people to use the new track. It t is here for the whole community to enjoy!”
Overall, folks are excited and proud of the new track. Suther echoes many folks when he remarks, “This new track is literally a dream come true for the whole community. We’ve waited a long time for the new track and to host our own track meet. A lot of people worked really hard to make it a reality, and here it is...and it’s beautiful!”
