The Yellowjacket Track and Field program is another historical program at MSU Billings. Discontinued in the early 1980's it was reestablished in 2007. In the first 15 years since returning, the program picked up right where it left off and has seen multiple individual league championships, with several athletes advancing to the national meet and placing as high as second in their event (Beau Ackerman - javelin in 2021.) In looking towards the future, the program will continue to build on these successes and work to increase the student-athlete experience in its quest to challenge for GNAC titles.
Last year, we successfully fundraised for a sprint timing system to help our runners; we're focusing on our throwers this year. With the increasing cost of travel, the program needs a weights and measurements kit; this kit will help ensure we can host and run home meets effectively and efficiently. Having the chance to host more home meets provides all of our track and field athletes more opportunities to compete, increasing their student-athlete experience and benefiting the local Billings community by bringing teams to town. It will also ensure that our athletes know that (before going to any away meet) the implements they are using will be legal for competition when they arrive.
Donations to this Jacket Giving Day project will go towards purchasing a weights and measurements kit for our Track and Field program. Any funds raised above and beyond the cost of the kit will be used to enhance the student-athlete experience of the program athletes.