MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Athletics Department and Track & Field program have announced the Lee Calhoun Memorial Plaza Project, starting with an engraved plaque on the Lee Calhoun Statue out at the Hanson Field track.
Made by Lacky Monument in Macomb, the plaque was installed in late September. The plaque is the first addition to the plaza that honors Lee Quency Calhoun, who was the track and field coach at Western Illinois from 1980 until his untimely passing in 1989.
"Lee Calhoun is an international track and field legend, and Western Illinois University is privileged to have had him as our head track coach," Western Illinois Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine said. "To honor Lee and his contributions to the sport of track and field, we have dedicated the entrance plaza, which is adjacent to the starting line of the 110 meter hurdles, in his memory."
Future enhancements to the plaza will feature the permanent recognition of all former head track and field coaches. The project coincides with the Hanson Field renovation, which included/includes the removal of the current grass surface and the track and field jump pits, installation of the Matrix Turf brand artificial surface and renovation of the field events area. The installation of a javelin runway, four new pits for the long jump and triple jump, and redesigning the discus/shot put area will take place on the north end of the facility.
"The future development of the Lee Calhoun Plaza will be the final piece to creating a very unique memorial," second-year head coach David Beauchem said. "Not only to Lee Calhoun and all of his tremendous track and field accomplishments but it will also serve to honor all of the former coaches, great teams and top student-athletes that have been a part of Western Illinois University Track and Field."
An internationally known track and field figure, Calhoun was a two-time Olympic gold medal winner in the high hurdles, and the first man to win successive titles in the event. He won his first gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Games and his second came four years later at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
Calhoun was inducted into the inaugural class of the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974. He was a seven-time national champion, five-time world record holder and a member of the National Track and Field, Olympic (1990), and Western Illinois University Athletics (1989) Halls of Fame.
A life-size bronze sculpture of Calhoun, entitled "Excellence on Winged Feet," was dedicated in March 1993 during the fourth running of the Lee Calhoun Memorial Invitational. The Invitational is now entering its 23rd year of competition and honors Calhoun annually for his place in track & field history.
A dedication ceremony was held for the Lee Calhoun Memorial Plaza in April 2010 during the 21st Lee Calhoun Memorial Invitational. Former Olympians Ralph Boston, Josh Culbreath, Hayes Jones, Paul Jones, Willie May and Dave Odegard were a few of the 200-plus people who attended the ceremony.
The 23rd running of the Lee Calhoun Memorial Invitational is set for the weekend of April 13-14, 2012. The Fighting Leathernecks will also host the Western Illinois Twilight Open on Saturday, April 28th under the lights at Hanson Field.
