West Point Track and Field

By Jane Anderson, WPAOG Editorial Content Coordinator

On the North Athletic Field of the U.S. Military Academy, a concrete pillar stands at each 100-meter mark. Atop six of the eight pillars is a plaque supporting the team endowment and recognizing an individual or team connected to the USMA Track & Field and Cross Country Team.

Donors who give $25,000 to support the Track & Field and Cross Country Team Endowments can create a plaque for one of these pillars. Only two undedicated pillars remain.

The endowment aims to meet the team’s requirements and elevate the Division I athletic experience for cadet-athletes. It provides financial support for all program-related expenses, including equipment, uniforms, practice and competition costs, facility upgrades, coaching and staff, recruitment, team travel, technological infrastructure, and administrative expenses.

Current plaques installed:

Two at the starting line:  

• In honor of Coach Ron Bazil, head coach of Track & Field and Cross Country from 1981 to 1995. During his tenure, the team earned 15 Patriot League titles and was the sixth-place team at the 1993 NCAA Cross Country Championship.
  Given by Army Track & Field athletes, May 2024.
• In honor of the 1993 Men’s Cross Country team. The plaque notes the team went from sixth in the conference to sixth in the nation: Jason Stewart ’94, Tim Grein ’94, Mike Bernstein ’95, Erick Rheam ’95, Jack Swift ’95, Jeff Harris ’96, Scott Kirkpatrick ’96, Dan Browne ’97.
  Given by teammates and friends, August 2024.

100M: In honor of James M. Warner, Class of 1967. A member of both the Cross Country and Track & Field teams from 1963 to 1967, his accomplishments included Cross Country Team captain, 1966-67; Academy outdoor mile record holder, 1965-68; and member of the Heptagonal Champion Team, 1965.
Given by classmates and friends, March 2024.

200m: In memory of Coach Carleton Crowell and Maxine Crowell for their mentorship and support of Cross Country and Track & Field from 1951 to 1975.
Given by team members from the Class of 1970, January 2024.

300m: In memory of Aaron Pogue, Class of 1991. Pogue was the Cross Country Team captain in 1990 and the Track & Field Team captain from 1990 to 1991. He set an Academy record in the 3000m steeplechase (8:43:00) in 1990.
Given by teammates and friends, May 2024.

400m: In memory of the 20 classmates of the Class of 1968 who were killed in Vietnam and in honor of all those who served and survived but suffered that war’s wounds and afflictions.
Given by the Class of 1968, January 2025.