A Brief History of Track and Field at
West Virginia University

Track and field was established at West Virginia University in 1898. Nate Cartmell (first year) and Earl Thompson were the coaches of the team for its two years. From 1911 to 1915 track activities were held through out the state and West Virginia University's trackmen held records equal to any team in the country. In 1924 Art Smith became the track coach and with the completion of (old) Mountaineer Field, track meets were held on the cinder track. Four years later with the completion of the Field House, indoor track meets were held on the cinder track surrounding the basketball playing area.

First African Americans to Participate in Men’s Track and Field at West Virginia University

Phillip Edwards was the first African American athlete to participate in Men's Track and Field in 1961, although he was not a scholarship athlete.