The Armory Celebrates The 100th Anniversary Of Its First Track Meet
100 Years Ago, The 168th Street Armory Hosted Its Firs Track and Field Meet
Press Release From The Armory
Juanry 10, 2014
New York, NY- The Armory today celebrated 100 years of hosting track & field meets highlighted by an “Appreciation Day” Proclamation presented by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
On January 10, 1914, The Armory made its debut in track & field when it hosted the Xavier Games. One of the memorable feats that day came in the featured half-mile event as Staten Island’s 1912 silver medalist Abel Kiviat finished the race in less than two minutes.
“This is a great occasion, celebrating 100 years. We’re just beginning,” said Armory Foundation President Dr. Norbert Sander, who in 1993 took over the reins at The Armory. “It’s a great start – the first 100 years. Of course, I haven’t been here the whole time, but the time I’ve been here has been terrific.”
Friday’s celebration took place in front of thousands of fans at The Armory during the NYC Gotham Cup Meet.
“This is one of the wonders of the world,” Brewer said. “There are very few people who you can say make a difference and Dr. Sander is one of them.
“I know what this place was like before and I’ve seen what he’s done in the last 15 to 20 years and how many lives he’s shaped. There are so many special aspects about this space, it’s not just about running.”
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer presents Armory Foundation President Dr. Nobert Sander (far right) and The Armory an “Armory Appreciation Day” Proclamation. Also on hand from left to right are Armory Foundation Chairman of the Board Mike Frankfurt, longtime track & field announcer Ian Brooks and veteran track & field reporter Walt Murphy.
About The Armory Foundation
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Kids on Track.” Each season the Armory – the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 125,000 individual athletes. Besides its many youth sports and educational programs, The Armory runs the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoors and the Armory Collegiate Invitational, the largest indoor college meet. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. For more: Please visit ArmoryTrack.com.