Lannigan Field
Lannigan Field became home to the Virginia Track and Field teams in 1971. For six decades before that, the Virginia track team used Lambeth field as its home facility. It was not until the efforts of two former track students, Ed Hardy and Vincent Derr, that work on a new track was started. They formed a committee, headed by Bernard Chamberlain, Robert Gooch and Pete Delaney, to find funds for the facility. Their endeavor was bolstered by a contribution from the Department of Athletics.
A number of high-level meets have been held at the facility, including the ACC Outdoor Championship and the state high school meet.
In March 2011, it was announced that Amy Griffin, a 1998 UVa graduate and volleyball player for the Cavaliers, pledged $5 million for the construction of a new track and field facility, which started in June 2011. In addition to replacing the existing track, plans for the new facility include seating for 1,500 fans, lights, a scoreboard and team locker rooms.
The new Lannigan Field made its debut at the UVA Team Swashbuckle on March 24, 2012 and hosted the 2012 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Lannigan field hosts the annual Virginia Challenge, which has become one of the best track and field meets during the outdoor season.
The new track surface from Beynon Sports Surfaces has eight 48″ lanes and a 36.8m radius that provides a ideal training environment, while allowing for fast competition. In addition, all field events are within the oval and include two long jump lanes with 179′ runways, two high jump pits, two pole vault boxes, two shot put circles, a javelin runway and a discus/hammer throw cage.
The high jump and pole vault pits from UCS feature vinyl material equivalent to 37oz, three densities of foam, VTX 1000 Velcro stystem, Angulax 3000 Design, and a standard 2″ top pad delivers safety and durability.
Lannigan Field has the ability to change the direction of the events to maximize performance and the best wind. Also, lights have been installed for the first time at Lannigan Field to allow for increased availability for both meets and practice. Beneath the infield is a subsurface 187,025 gallon cistern that collects rainwater, mitigating stormwater runoff while also providing a source of water that can be used for irrigating the field above.
For athletes and spectators alike, Lannigan Field provides an ideal environment for a team as successful as the Cavaliers.
Hours
Lannigan Field public hours are as follows:
Monday – 5:30am-7:30am
Wednesday – 5:30am-7:30am
Friday – 5:30am-7:30am
Saturday – 6:00am-7:30am
In order to preserve the newly resurfaced facility, please use lanes 4 through 8.
Directions
Lannigan Track – Copeley Road
From the East/West: Take I-64 to exit 118B (Culpeper-Charlottesville). Take second exit (sign will say University of Virginia Information Center and Business 250 East) and bear right onto Ivy Rd. At second stop light, turn left onto Copeley Rd. Lannigan Field is on the left. Parking is in the University Hall parking lot on the right.
From the North: Take Route 29 south into Charlottesville (Emmet St.). Turn right at Massie Rd. Go the next stop light and turn left onto Copeley Rd. Lannigan Field is on the right. Parking is in the University Hall parking lot on the left.
From the South: Take Route 29 to Business Route 250 East (sign will say University of Virginia Information Center) and bear right onto Ivy Rd. At second stop light, turn left on to Copeley Rd. Lannigan Field is on the left. Parking is in the University Hall parking lot on the right.
