New Marist Track and Turf Field Open; Upper and Lower Hoop Lots Reopen with Modifications

The new track and reorganized upper hoop lot. Photo by Ben Leeds '26.

Following nearly a full year of construction, the Marist Track and Turf Field on the site of the old North Field is open for use, as well as the surrounding parking lots that were affected by construction.

Previously, track and field athletes needed to travel off campus to practice. The team commuted to Vassar College for practices, a five-mile trip to the nearest track. According to Pete Colaizzo '86, Director of Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field, the team has been practicing full-time at Vassar since around 2008. 

Before Vassar, Marist settled on practicing at a variety of local high schools, including Spackenkill High School, Poughkeepsie High School and occasionally Arlington High School.

Having their own track and field to use for practices on campus will undoubtedly help Marist recruit athletes more effectively. Additionally, it has been a long time waiting for the current members of the team, as well as Colaizzo, who has been coaching at Marist since 1991.

“It's still surreal to me because we haven't lived it yet,” said Colaizzo. “It's going to be amazing… It's going to be mindblowing.”

Other Marist teams and programs also benefit from the new turf field; both the men’s and women’s soccer teams spent some summer practices on the new turf, while some outdoor intramural sports will also be held on the turf.

Clark Construction began construction near the end of the last fall semester and continued throughout the spring and summer. While Clark is still finishing up building the stands, both upper and lower hoop lots are now open for students to park in. 

The lower hoop lot lost 46 spots due to the construction of the new track, and the upper hoop lot lost 16 spaces after redesigning the layout of the parking spots. 

“The lot is much safer than it was before and should significantly reduce the number of minor motor vehicle accidents that previously occurred in this lot,” Director of Campus Safety Daniel Gough said in an email to the Marist Circle.