Loucks has new facility and shoe sponsorship
By Christopher Hunt
The Glenn D. Loucks Games, one of the largest outdoor track and field competitions in the country, has been branded. Meet director and former White Plains track coach Fred Singleton officially announced Tuesday that New Balance will be the leading sponsor for this year’s meet held May 8-10 at White Plains High School.
“New Balance is a great name in track and field and they are going to be a tremendous asset for us,” Singleton said.
Singleton credit Armory Foundation president Dr. Norbert Sander with helping facilitate a partnership with the shoe company that is the named sponsor of the Armory’s track and field arena. Loucks Games has begun to lose the national luster it once owned when high school stars like LaShawn Merritt and Natasha Hastings were among the top draws. But the competition never lost its local following.
Plus a new multimillion-dollar facility which includes a an eight-lane Mondo track, along with the New Balance name recognition shows the meet is rapidly regaining momentum.
“I think with anything, any company, any product, people kind of lose excitement for it,” Singleton said. “People start saying, ‘oh, the Loucks Games.’ But we keep tweaking things and improving.”
The new facility includes a turf football field, the track and bleachers along the home straightaway that seats 4,000.
“Everything is lined up perfectly,” Singleton said. “It looks beautiful. I could see state championships there. People are going to want to use this facility to host their athletic events.”
As of Tuesday morning, there were 236 teams entered in the meet, the most in its 41-year history. The major sponsorship will help supplement the costs of food for all the athletes, and officials and price of the historic Loucks Games trophy, which cost $100 a pop.
Reach Christopher Hunt at chunt@armorytrack.com.