Drake Stadium

Drake Stadium. It is a premier outdoor track and field facility located on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles in the Westwood district of Los Angeles. Opened in 1969, the stadium is named for Ducky Drake, the legendary UCLA Bruins track coach and athletic trainer. Primarily serving as the home for UCLA Bruins track and field, it has also hosted numerous NCAA championships, Olympic Games trials, and international meets, cementing its reputation as one of the most historic track venues in the United States.

History

The stadium was constructed in 1968-1969 to replace the university's older track facility located near Pauley Pavilion. It was originally known as the UCLA Track Stadium before being renamed in 1973 to honor Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake, a foundational figure in UCLA Athletics who coached numerous champions and served as head trainer. The venue's design was influenced by the need for a modern, dedicated complex for the burgeoning success of the UCLA Bruins track and field program under coaches like Jim Bush. A major renovation in 2011, funded by a gift from Nike co-founder and UCLA alumnus Phil Knight, replaced the original track surface and upgraded facilities to meet contemporary elite standards, ensuring its continued use for high-level competition.

Facilities and features

The stadium is a single-sided, horseshoe-shaped venue with a permanent seating capacity of 11,700, overlooking the track and a natural grass infield. Its signature feature is the Beynon BSS 1000 synthetic track surface, a World Athletics Class 1 certified installation that allows for world record ratification. The infield accommodates field events such as the pole vault, long jump, high jump, and throwing events. The facility includes a modern timing tower, a state-of-the-art Daktronics video scoreboard, and dedicated areas for athletes such as locker rooms and a warm-up track. The stadium's press box and suites provide views of both the track and the nearby Los Angeles Tennis Center.

Major events

Drake Stadium has been the site of countless prestigious track and field competitions. It served as a primary venue for track events during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The stadium regularly hosted the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 1970s and 1980s and was the home of the U.S. Olympic Trials (track and field) in 1972. It is the traditional home for the annual UCLA vs. University of Southern California dual meet, one of the most storied rivalries in collegiate track. Other significant meets held here include the Mt. SAC Relays, the USA Track & Field Championships, and the Adidas Grand Prix. It has also hosted NCAA soccer championships and concerts.

Records

The fast track at Drake Stadium has witnessed numerous world, American, and collegiate records. In 1979, Evelyn Ashford set a world record in the 100 meters here. Legendary sprinter Carl Lewis established multiple records at the venue during his collegiate career at the University of Houston and in post-collegiate meets. More recently, athletes like Allyson Felix and Ashton Eaton have posted notable marks at the stadium. The facility's record for the men's 100 meters is held by Trayvon Bromell, while the women's 100-meter stadium record belongs to Sha'Carri Richardson. The venue also holds the meet record for the iconic UCLA-USC dual meet.

In popular culture

Beyond athletics, Drake Stadium has served as a filming location for various television and movie productions, leveraging its iconic Los Angeles setting and recognizable architecture. It has appeared in episodes of the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 and the film Forrest Gump, where it stood in for other stadiums. The venue's presence in the heart of Westwood and its association with the globally recognized UCLA campus have made it a visual shorthand for collegiate sports achievement in media. Its use in promotional materials for the 1984 Summer Olympics further embedded its image in popular culture.

Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Track and field venues in California