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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
Reggie Lewis Center Timeline
1958

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)

1962
Representative Harold Rosen of Dedham files first bill calling for Metropolitan District Council (MDC) to construct track facility.
1964
No.395 passes House of Representatives calling for a school track facility at Cleveland Circle.
1966
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.
1970
Bill instructing MDC to build a $3 million track facility passes both branches of legislature and is sent to Governor Francis Sargent.
1972
Agrees to construct track at Neponset site.
1974
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.
1974
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.
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.”
1976
Unless there is an additional $1.4 million, the school track project could be in danger of falling through.
1977
Neponset residents drop objections to facility because they are promised new MDC hockey rink.
1978
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.
1979
Representative Finnegan, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee introduces an amendment that strikes school track facility from Neponset site.  The amendment is approved.
1980
Finnegan begins discussions with Northeastern University.  With state aid, the University could build a facility that would house the track.
1983
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.
1985
Interest in track received, with State Representatives Joe DeNucci and Kevin Fitzgerald spear heading the drive at the Stat House.
1986
Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn gets BRA to approve garage on Parcel 117X.  The track will be located next to the garage.
1987
Governor Dukakis announces plans for track in conjunction with Northeastern University at Parcel 17X on Columbus Avenue.
1987
In November, Governor Dukakis files construction for track.
1988
January 5, 16 minutes before final session of Legislature, $35 million is appropriated for facility.
1988
On July 16, Legislature approves construction of the project by the turnkey method.
1989
Project goes out for bid, but is stalled.
1990
On April 4, project goes out for bid and draws six development teams.
1990
On Nov. 21, State Division of Capital Planning and Operations (DCPO) selects the Beacon Companies/Jung Brenner as the development team.
1991
Agreement with Northeastern finalized.
1991
Governor William Weld indicates he will not authorize construction of track at Northeastern.
1992
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.
1992
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.
1993
Groundbreaking for track
1995
Track completed.
1995
Reggie Lewis Center opened its doors and Northeastern University, under the leadership of head coach Sherman Hart, hosted the first track meet.
1996
Vice President Al Gore visited as a speaker for the HUD conference 
1996
Global Athletics hosted the first Boston Indoor Games
1997
Reggie Lewis Center Hall of Fame Wall was dedicated to Robert “Bob” McIntyre 
1997
Sensational Seniors Fitness & Wellness Program was established
1998
Hosted the National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships for the first time.
2000
Hosted the NCAA Division II Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships for the first time 
2000
RCC’s Men’s Basketball team won the Division II NJCAA National Championships under the leadership of Head Coach Malcolm Wynn 
2002
100-year-old Everett Hosack competed in the National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships 
2003
Hosted USA Track & Field Championships for the first time 
2003
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 
2003
Olympic Gold Medalist Justin Gatlin equaled Maurice Green’s meet and facility record in the 55M Dash (6.45 seconds) 
2005
The Reggie’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
2006
Senator Barack Obama visited the Reggie Lewis Center to lead a rally for Candidate Deval Patrick 
09'-10'
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. 
2011
Congressman John Lewis, civil rights activist, visited the “Reggie
2013
Dr. Valerie Roberson appointed President of RCC 
2013
RCC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
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