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University of Dayton Athletics

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Colin Connor and Joe Owens at the dedication of the Owens Training Center View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain part way down as well as the track. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the high jump area and the track and field storage area. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing a corner of the playing surface with the separating curtain part all the way down. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain down as well as the Lackner Track. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center from the track and field storage area showing the playing surface separated by the curtain. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the track and field corner including throws, high jump and storage. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the playing surface with the separating curtain all the way down. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the playing surface with separating curtain all the way down. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the playing surface with separating curtain all the way down. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain all the way down as well as the track. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain all the way down as well as Dayton Flyer branding and the track. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain part way down and displaying the playing surface. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the separating curtain part way down as well as the expansive playing surface. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the Dayton Flyers branding on the wall. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the Owens Center and Dayton Flyers branding as well as the javelin throw netting. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the javelin throw netting. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the throws area. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the throws area. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the throws area. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the full length of the playing surface. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the full playing surface. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the full facility. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the throws area. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the full playing surface. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing half the playing surface with the Dayton Flyers logo at mid-field. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center showing the Owens Training Center and Lackner Track branding. View full image
A photo of the Owens Training Center from between the dividing curtains showing the playing surface. View full image

Owens Training Center

The University of Dayton announced its new upgraded indoor team space located in the Cronin Center will be named the "Owens Training Center" on April 18, 2023.

It is named for Joe Owens, who is UD's Senior Associate Athletics Director for Performance Enhancement. In his 35-year career with Dayton athletics, he has served as a strength and conditioning coach, as well as a sport program administrator. He currently oversees the Flyer sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology programs. In addition, he serves as the sport program administrator for men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, women's track and field and rowing. 

Adding the name is the final piece to a significant upgrade the indoor training space has undergone in the last 16 months. The project includes:
•    The Rev. Charles L. Collins Turf Practice Surface, a 13,925 square foot synthetic turf multi-sport surface 
•    The Bro. Elmer Lackner Running Track, a 9,700 square foot mondo track surface that runs (pun intended) around the perimeter of the facility
•    Completely new and vastly improved lighting
•    State of the art partition systems to better use existing space and allow multiple sports to train at the same time
•    All-new equipment for the track and field team, and all-new training equipment for other sports

Father Collins and Brother Lackner were long-time, integral parts of UD athletics when the Flyers were at the dawn of what we know an athletics department is like today. Their dedication to the University and its student-athletes was remarkable.

The same can be said about Owens' dedication to UD and his service to Dayton's current student-athletes.

The upgrade and renaming of the facility was made possible due to a generous donation by Owens' long-time friend, Colin Connor.

"What Joe has meant to UD athletics, and his longstanding friendship and mentorship of Colin is rare, and very much worth honoring and celebrating," University of Dayton Vice President and Director of Athletics Neil Sullivan said. Â