Athletics

Men's Cross Country - History

History of Program

The first references to Culver-Stockton's track and field program are found in writings from the early 1900s.

During the 1920s, the track team received more attention than most other campus activities, and they competed on a cinder track on the edge of campus. In 1938, Culver-Stockton track and field became a "major sport". Even during World War II (1942-45), when football was suspended owing to a shortage of men on campus, the track program flourished, with one Culver-Stockton student-athlete, Charles Larson, winning the AAU decathlon championship.

By 1951, both lack of interest and lack of facilities curtailed the program. In 1953, when the Ellison Poulton Stadium was built, hope for the program was renewed. Construction plans included a new track, and the area around the football field was graded but no track was installed until years later.

During the 1960s, Culver-Stockton established a vibrant cross country program. By the early 1970s, a fledgling track team formed; and work began to pave a six-lane track. However, the surface was never adequately completed. Several years later, both the track program and the cross country team faded away.

By the late 1990s, the never-completed track surface had deteriorated. Given deficiencies on the football field and in the stadium as well, the college targeted the entire facility for renovation. The project included plans for an eight-lane track, and a foundation grant provided funds to prepare the sub-base and a two-layer asphalt surface. This work was completed in 2000, and the track still stands ready for application of a competition surface.

On March 21, 2007, Culver-Stockton President William L. Fox announced the rebirth of the track and field and cross country programs. Completion of the track is scheduled to begin in July 2007 to be ready for competition in Fall 2007.