Cooke Field
In 1911, the College of Hawai‘i formed the first
track team in the University’s history. A year later,
the “Fighting Deans,” participated in its first
track meet. At the time, the team ran against mostly local military,
club, and prep teams.
In 1916, UH held its first on-campus track meet at Cooke Field.
The meet was held between students from the Agriculture and
Engineering departments. At that meet, Aggie captain Austin
scored 75 points and the Aggies defeated the Engineers, 219-206.
The College of Hawai‘i was renamed the University of Hawai‘i
in 1921, that same year, the track team earned its first championship.
The Fighting Deans beat the Interscholastic League of Honolulu
All-Stars, 57-46. UH started the Rainbow Relays, an annual tradition,
in 1924.
Hawai‘i had both a men and women’s track and field
team at one point. The men’s program ran from 1968-76.
The women’s program originally started by Dr. Donnis Thompson
in 1961, but by 1964 the program was shut down. However, UH
brought track back in 1972 and ran until 1985. Both programs
were cut citing budgetary constraints. The most prolific
men’s track and field standout was shot putter Terry
Albritton. Albritton not only set the UH record in the event
but became the University’s first world record holder
in 1976 by throwing 71 feet, 8.5 inches at Cooke Field. He
broke Al Fuerbach’s standard by 1.5 inches. 
Following up that performance, Albritton won the AAU and NCAA
indoor titles within a three-week period. Albritton and the
Rainbows finished the season by hosting track giant USC at
Cooke Field.
The highest women’s profile was Gwen Loud who ran
track at UH from 1982-84 and is decorated through the UH record
book. She currently hold three records at UH in the 100 meter,
200 meter, and long jump events.
In 2000, UH reinstated its women’s track program under
head coach Carmyn James. It was in the spring of 2002 that
UH participated in its first-ever indoor track and field meet.
In 2003, UH restarted the Rainbow Relays at Cooke Field
and now the tradition continues. |
