St John's University

“New York City’s Team,” the St. John’s University’s Red Storm, installed a REGUPOL champion AG track surface after 20 years of training on a less than perfect, unresponsive outdoor track surface.

The nationally lauded BIG EAST program sought out a new track that would withstand weather in the metro New York area and would be constructed using the finest techniques and materials. The new track would be expected to perform for a minimum of 20 years. REGUPOL impressed St. John’s by their experience installing track surfaces globally, in a number of world class venues, and in varied climates, the coaching and facilities teams chose to move ahead specifying a REGUPOL champion AG track.

In addition to the world-class Red Storm student-athletes, the outdoor track surface is one of several areas where those in the University community can enjoy the vitality of exercise and fitness. Longevity and the ability to withstand extreme use were critical requirements. Completed in the fall of 2013, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) certified track was a drastic improvement to the track’s previous state.

To become an IAAF Certified Synthetic Track Product, the rubber track surface must go through Track Synthetic Surface Testing according to the association standards. An IAAF approved test laboratory conducts the testing procedure according to the guidelines and standards to insure durability and performance of the surface. The laboratory tests for Force Reduction, which must be between 35% and 50% at a surface temperature of 100C and 400C, and Friction, the coefficient of dynamic friction no less than 0.5 under wet conditions, to name a few.

“The REGUPOL champion AG track provides what our athletes need – a softer surface, offering a nice bounce to their run, as well as a surface that we expect will last a very long time,” said Coach John Hurt, head of track and field at St. John’s University and a 30-year coach of the women’s track and field team, “This track is a demonstrable statement of our commitment to our student-athletes.”

St. John’s University has a 107-year old tradition of athletic excellence with a majority of their success in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I for sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball, track and field and fencing.