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Roxbury

Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center

Overview and History

Welcome from the Manager

Dear Community Members:

The Reggie Lewis Center was built with the purpose of serving & embracing the surrounding community. Since its opening in 1995, the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center has done that and more. It has become the home to various community and athletic events. It is also home to Roxbury Community College’s athletic teams and world indoor track records at the high school, collegiate, and professional level.

As we near the 25th anniversary of the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, we would like to affirm our commitment to the community. As a part of Roxbury Community College, we embrace our mission of providing a nurturing environment, where all community members are welcome, regardless of past education, as we look to transform lives through excellence and innovation.

The Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center has and will continue to be a pillar in Boston, as we look to continue to meet the needs of an ever-changing community. It is my hope that you will join us in continuing to build on the legacy of Reggie Lewis, as we look to continuously better our city and state. 

With Direction & Purpose,

Sherman Hart,

Manager of the RLTAC

 
 Overview & History

East Newton Street Armory, home to city track meets is taken.

Discussions begin for the new school track facility with the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA)

Representative Harold Rosen of Dedham files first bill calling for Metropolitan District Council (MDC) to construct track facility.
No.395 passes House of Representatives calling for a school track facility at Cleveland Circle.
Boston Architectural firm says $1.3 million school track facility will be ready by 1968.  It will be dedicated as the John A. Ryder Memorial Track named in honor of the late Boston College track coach.
Bill instructing MDC to build a $3 million track facility passes both branches of legislature and is sent to Governor Francis Sargent.
Agrees to construct track at Neponset site.
House of Representative, in capital outlay budget, approves $2.3 million for purchase of land at Neponset.  It also approves $3,987,000 for school track facility, park and recreational facilities, bicycle paths, and boat and canoe launchings.
Governor Sargent, calling his announcement a “victory night for the young people of Boston,” says construction of the track facility will begin in March 1975.
On Dec. 30, MDC announces plans for massive athletic complex at Neponset.  Governor Michael Dukakis says, “I remember the debate on this way back in the early 1960’s.  It was needed then and it is needed now, and I’m delighted that after all these years we’re finally going to be able to go ahead with it.”
Unless there is an additional $1.4 million, the school track project could be in danger of falling through.
Neponset residents drop objections to facility because they are promised new MDC hockey rink.
Representative John Finnegan of Dorchester plans to go to court to block construction of a $7.4 million track, accusing Governor Dukakis of “breaking faith” with the legislature and community by directing the legislature to go ahead with the project.
Representative Finnegan, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee introduces an amendment that strikes school track facility from Neponset site.  The amendment is approved.
Finnegan begins discussions with Northeastern University.  With state aid, the University could build a facility that would house the track.
Northeastern students vote by more that 9-1 margin to pay activities fee to help build the athletic complex on campus.  Objections by Redevelopment Authority and MBTA stall project.
Interest in track received, with State Representatives Joe DeNucci and Kevin Fitzgerald spear heading the drive at the Stat House.
Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn gets BRA to approve garage on Parcel 117X.  The track will be located next to the garage.
Governor Dukakis announces plans for track in conjunction with Northeastern University at Parcel 17X on Columbus Avenue.
In November, Governor Dukakis files construction for track.
January 5, 16 minutes before final session of Legislature, $35 million is appropriated for facility.
On July 16, Legislature approves construction of the project by the turnkey method.
Project goes out for bid, but is stalled.
On April 4, project goes out for bid and draws six development teams.
On Nov. 21, State Division of Capital Planning and Operations (DCPO) selects the Beacon Companies/Jung Brenner as the development team.
Agreement with Northeastern finalized.
Governor William Weld indicates he will not authorize construction of track at Northeastern.
Governor Weld and Speaker of the House Charles Flaherty file bill for $17 million track at Roxbury Community College.  Bill passes House and Senate by July and Governor Weld signs it into law.  Three sites are chosen but all are inadequate.
Mayor Flynn and BRA director Paul Barrett sell city Parcel, located at New Dudley and Tremont Streets, to State.  In December, BRA votes to hand over parcels to the state.
Groundbreaking for track
Track completed.
Reggie Lewis Center opened its doors and Northeastern University, under the leadership of head coach Sherman Hart, hosted the first track meet.
Vice President Al Gore visited as a speaker for the HUD conference 
Global Athletics hosted the first Boston Indoor Games
Reggie Lewis Center Hall of Fame Wall was dedicated to Robert “Bob” McIntyre 
Sensational Seniors Fitness & Wellness Program was established
Hosted the National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships for the first time.
Hosted the NCAA Division II Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships for the first time 
RCC’s Men’s Basketball team won the Division II NJCAA National Championships under the leadership of Head Coach Malcolm Wynn 
100-year-old Everett Hosack competed in the National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships 
Hosted USA Track & Field Championships for the first time 
Through Tenacity and USA Tennis, Venus and Serena Williams, former tennis greats Billie Jean King and Zina Garrison, and others visited the “Reggie” and conducted a tennis clinic for hundreds of youths 
Olympic Gold Medalist Justin Gatlin equaled Maurice Green’s meet and facility record in the 55M Dash (6.45 seconds) 
The Reggie’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
Senator Barack Obama visited the Reggie Lewis Center to lead a rally for Candidate Deval Patrick 
RCC’s Nia Howard was named to the National Junior College Track & Field Coaches Association All-Academic Team. She was also the first of two national champions in the Long Jump and she became RCC’s first national champion in track and field. Nia later accepted a full athletic scholarship to Northeastern University. 
Congressman John Lewis, civil rights activist, visited the “Reggie
Dr. Valerie Roberson appointed President of RCC 
RCC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
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