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Staff Report

Asbury University broke ground on the first phase of a new multi-use outdoor venue on Wednesday.

The $5 million addition will feature an eight-lane track, turf field, lighting, and fencing. It will be located near existing athletics facilities.

The groundbreaking comes a year after Asbury announced the launch of its track and field programs.

The program’s inaugural coach, 0’Brian Bridge, is excited to see the shovel hit the dirt.

“The outdoor facility will not only help our track athletes train and compete at a high level, but also provide a great venue for Asbury Athletics and the campus community as a whole,” said Bridges. “I am thrilled to see this program coming together and can’t wait to see what the future holds for TeamAU track and field. I am honored to be leading Asbury’s newest teams through this exciting new time.”

Bridges brings a decade of coaching experience to Wilmore and was an accomplished sprinter and hurdler at Eastern Kentucky University from 2003-07, he later served for five years as an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2013-18. His resume also includes NCAA Division III and high school coaching experience – where he guided numerous athletes to state championships and all-state performances at the high school level.

School officials share the coach’s excitement.

“We are deeply moved by the generosity and support for this vision to build an outdoor venue that will serve the entire campus community and provide a place for student-athletes, including our new track and field teams, to train and compete,” said Asbury Vice President of Athletics & University Communications Mark Whitworth. “God continues to work in the hearts of students at Asbury, and this facility will create new opportunities for transformational change to take place. We are humbled and thankful!”

Construction on parts of the facility by D.W. Wilburn, Inc. has already begun and should be ready in time for the new men’s and women’s track and field teams to train at the facility beginning this fall, just a year prior to the university’s move to NCAA Division III competition during the 2023-24 academic year.