Valley Star

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Valley Life

ACHIEVING GREATNESS- The Monarch Stadium was recognize nationally and given an award in 2007.

Los Angeles Valley College's very own Monarch Stadium received a national award for the design and construction of its outdoor track field last month from the American Sports Builders Association.

The award was presented from ASBA to Mondo USA, a leading flooring company for sports arenas, at a convention in Dallas, Texas. Valley was presented the award by Neil Silver of Mondo USA after being nominated by the architect of the stadium renovation project that ended in Fall 2006, leaving Valley with a completely restored track field.

"It's a really nice track," expressed Francois Wolman, head track coach. "It's considered one of the best tracks in the state, and has really helped train and recruit athletes to come run for us."

This award is not easy to attain as the competition is vast and ranges from high school, community college, and university fields alike. "There are hundreds of facilities submitted for these awards around the country and we were one of the six selected," remarked Chuck Ferrero, Athletic Director for Valley.

Ferrero explained that the award was for the brand new track facility equipped with Mondo XP, the track surface used in the Olympics, as well as the new Sprinturf synthetic turf on the football and soccer field.

"The facility includes a new track, playing field, javelin runway and a new hammer and discus throwing cage, rings, and field plus a renovated shot put facility," Ferrero explained.

Since its completion in Fall 2006, athletes and coaches alike have been noticing what a difference a renovation of flooring can do for their track performance. Carlos Parraguirre, who has been a member of the track team since 2006, agrees, noticing a significant difference in his performance with the newly reformed stadium. "It's so much better," Parraguirre said. "It used to be all dirt and harder to train on, but the new field has made it so much easier."

The track and field season is fast-approaching and Monarch Stadium's new look and brand new award should be turning heads toward the track team this year. Wolman encourages students to come check out the track team and their award-winning stadium on March 7, their only home game this season.

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