Montana State University has announced the naming of the new indoor athletic facility as the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center in honor of legendary track and field coaches Rob Stark and Dale Kennedy. Stark coached the men’s program from 1977 to 2000, while Kennedy coached the women’s team from 1983 to 2018, leading both programs to championship heights. Lyle Weese, a protege of Stark and Kennedy, now serves as the Dale Kennedy Director of MSU Men’s and Women’s Track and Field.
The decision to name the facility in honor of Kennedy and Stark was made by anonymous donors who recognized the coaches’ incredible legacy and the impact they had on the track and field program at MSU. The new Kennedy-Stark Center will benefit all student-athletes, particularly the track and field teams who previously had to compete and train outdoors. The facility will also serve as a practice space for the school’s football team.
Stark transformed the men’s track and field program, leading them to consistent success in the Big Sky Conference and national championships. Kennedy, on the other hand, guided the women’s team to multiple conference championships and the first men’s title in program history. The Kennedy-Stark Center is expected to be completed by late spring and will provide a state-of-the-art training and competition space for MSU’s athletes.
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Photo credit www.montanasports.com
