TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State University Athletic Department has announced the Gibson Track & Field Complex will now honor John McNichols by naming the John McNichols Memorial Track after the legendary Sycamore Hall of Famer.
 
The Sycamores make the announcement following the passage of a vote by the Indiana State Board of Trustees on Friday afternoon at their annual meeting.
 
"Today, we honor a legacy that transformed the Indiana State Track & Field program and set a national standard in collegiate athletics," Indiana State President Dr. Mike Godard said. "John McNichols embodied what it means to be a Sycamore—dedication, vision, and an unwavering commitment to student success. By naming the John McNichols Memorial Track, we celebrate a leader whose influence will continue to inspire our athletes and community for generations. His legacy lives on, etched into the track where so many future generations of Sycamores will strive and succeed."
 
"John McNichols changed the landscape of the Indiana State Track & Field and Cross-Country program into national prominence," Director of Athletics Nathan Christensen said. "John not only had an effect on our university and community, but most importantly, John positively impacted thousands of student–athletes during his tenure at Indiana State. It is an honor to place his name on the track at the Gibson Track & Field Complex perpetually."
 
"The Gibson Track & Field Complex was a vision of Coach McNichols," Track & Field/Cross Country Program Director Angela Martin said. "The prior Marks Field Complex that we competed on prior to 2015 was never developed into a top-notch facility. Creating this fundraising committee and renaming the facility will help us continue his vision and help our teams have a home that they are proud of. The Gartland and McNichols era had great success, I want that to continue long into the future."
 
The track will feature a new stencil cementing the legacy of one of the all-time greats in the men's and women's track & field world and will be unveiled in time for Indiana State's Alumni/Senior Day Weekend meet set for April 17-19.
 
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the occasion will be held on April 19, while a plaque will be installed near the entrance to the Gibson Track & Field Complex describing the legacy of McNichols during his time with the Indiana State program.
 
A new Track & Field fundraising committee dedicated to raising funds for facility upgrades at the Gibson Track & Field Complex. The committee members include: Coach Angie Martin, Coach Jeff Martin, Angie Lansing, Rich Porter, Greg Gibson, Fred Crawford, Dan Riley, Linda McNichols, Justin Kunz, Linda McNichols, Nathan Christensen, and Andrea Angel. More details to follow regarding facility plans and fundraising efforts.
 
John McNichols Brief Bio
Coach John McNichols led the Sycamores in cross country and track from 1983 until his death in 2016. He finished his career by coaching in exactly 100 career MVC Championships, including 33 indoor meets, 33 outdoor meets and 34 cross country championships.
 
He posted 38 total team titles, including 11 in cross country, 10 in indoor track and 17 in outdoor track. He was named the MVC Coach of the Year 23 times. During that time, McNichols coached 456 MVC Track Champions, eight MVC Cross Country Champions, 355 MVC Track Scholar-Athletes and 110 Cross Country MVC Champions.
 
He coached 15 NCAA Track National Champions, 112 All-Americans, 173 NCAA Track National Qualifiers and 13 NCAA Cross Country National qualifiers. He oversaw the design, development and construction of the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course which has hosted 13 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships.
 
McNichols also served as the head meet official at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and was a meet official at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles as well as the 1987 Pan-American Games and the 1988 United States Olympic Trials. He was a three-time head coach of the United State Men's Junior Pan-American Team.
 
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