The Armory Celebrates 100 Years

By Chris Lotsbom of ArmoryTrack.com

NEW YORK (10-Jan) -- This afternoon, the 100th anniversary of track and field at The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory was celebrated, highlighted by an "Armory Appreciation Day" Proclamation by  Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. 

One hundred years ago today, on January 10, 1914, The Armory made its debut in track and field when hosting the Xavier Games. Highlighting the Xavier Games at The Armory – known then as the Armory of the 22nd Regiment – was Staten Island’s 1912 Olympic silver medalist Abel Kiviat as he captured the featured half-mile event in under two minutes.

In honor of The Armory's 100th anniversary of track and field, Manhattan Borough President Brewer presented Armory Foundation Executive Director Dr. Norbert Sander and members of The Armory family with a Proclamation. 

"We recognize the countless accomplishments of The Armory in Washington Heights as it celebrates on this day 100 years of hosting track & field" reads the Proclamation. "I, Gale Brewer, President of the Borough of Manhattan, do hereby commend and congratulate The Armory for its outstanding contribution to New York and proclaim this Friday, January 10, 2014 "The Armory Appreciation Day" in the Borough of Manhattan."

On the 100th Anniversary of track and field at The Armory, the New York City Gotham Cup took center stage, with hundreds of collegiate student-athletes competing both on the track and in the field.

"How often do you get to celebrate 100 years of anything?" said Dr. Sander. "It's a spectacular thing for the sport. Not only is it 100 years, but the sport is living and it's never been better in many ways. The future looks so bright with so much enthusiasm.

The next 100 years of track and field at The Armory will be filled with history and great performances, said Dr. Sander.

"We have so much to build on, it's up to us to carry the baton forward. Certainly 100 wonderful years," said Dr. Sander. "This is just the beginning!"