PINE BLUFF, AR. – A historic new era of Golden Lions Athletics is on the horizon as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) prepares to break ground on its first-ever on-campus track and field facility. The university will host an official groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2 p.m., marking a monumental milestone in the history of the institution and its athletics programs.

The ceremony will take place on the UAPB campus between the J.B.J. Housing Complex and the 1890 Extension Building. University leadership, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, community leaders, supporters and special guests are expected to gather for this historic occasion.

For the first time in the history of the university's track and field program, Golden Lion student-athletes will have a dedicated track facility located on campus, representing a significant investment in the future of UAPB Athletics and the overall student-athlete experience.

The state-of-the-art facility will also serve as the home competition venue for the UAPB women's soccer program, providing a new environment for the Golden Lions to host home matches and showcase their talents before students, alumni and supporters.

The historic project is being brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Tarkett Sports, Design One Contracting, McClelland Consulting Engineers, and Polk Stanley Wilcox. These project partners are contributing to the development of a modern athletic facility that reflects the university's commitment to enhancing its infrastructure, strengthening its competitive programs and providing student-athletes with an environment that supports excellence both on and off the field.

"This is a historic moment for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and our entire Golden Lion family," said UAPB Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Chris Robinson. "For the first time in our university's history, our track and field student-athletes will have a facility right here on our campus that they can truly call home. This project is about much more than building a track. It's about investing in our student-athletes, strengthening our programs and creating opportunities for future generations of Golden Lions. We're equally excited that our women's soccer program will have a new home to compete in front of our campus community. This is another important step in moving UAPB Athletics forward."

The groundbreaking represents a significant milestone for a track and field program with a proud tradition of competition in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The addition of an on-campus facility will provide new opportunities for student-athlete development while helping elevate the visibility of both the track and field and women's soccer programs.

Beyond its impact on athletics, the new facility is expected to enhance campus life, strengthen university pride and create additional opportunities for students, alumni and the Pine Bluff community to support Golden Lion Athletics.

The ceremony will feature remarks from university and athletics leadership, coaches, student-athlete representatives and local dignitaries before concluding with the official ceremonial groundbreaking.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Details
Event: UAPB Track and Field Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. CT
Location: Between the J.B.J. Housing Complex and the 1890 Extension Building, UAPB Campus, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Project Partners:

• Tarkett Sports
• Design One Contracting
• McClelland Consulting Engineers
• Polk Stanley Wilcox