June 30, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore.—Concordia University will host a grand opening of its world-class throwing facility on July 2. Friends and media are invited to have lunch and take a tour of the facility with Olympic champion, former world record holder and current Concordia assistant coach Mac Wilkins.  

 

The event is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Concordia University Throw Center located at 9140 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland OR 97211.

 

Located on 10 acres of land near the Portland International Airport, the Concordia University Throw Center was developed by Coach Wilkins to provide a training ground for throwers from youth levels, to collegiate athletics and up through to Olympic hopefuls. The facility’s design features a large shelter at the hub to allow all four implements (javelin, hammer, discus and shot put) to be thrown simultaneously in a safe environment.

 

Other Olympians in attendance of the grand opening will include Tim Bright (decathlon, 1984, 88, 92); Les Tipton (javelin, 1964) and Brian Crouser (javelin, 1988, 92).

 

The Concordia University’s track and field programs have produced eight NAIA national champions in three years of competition. Three Cavalier throwers captured individual championships this past season, including junior Annie Hess, who set the NAIA meet record in the discus last season and will participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials this summer in Eugene, Ore. Hess finished the season with the overall top collegiate mark in the discus with a throw of 192 feet, 7 inches and in ranked No. 8 in the country.

 

Transportation to Portland from the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene will be available. For more information and to reserve seats, contact: Concordia Sports Information Director Jason Dormeyer at 971-255-6496.

 

For additional resources visit: 
http://www.cuatthethrowcenter.com/
http://www.cu-portland.edu/giving/success/throwcenter.cfm

 

Throw Center Fast Facts:

o        Located on 10 acres near the Portland International Airport.

o        Unique layout includes a basketball court-sized rain shelter for all-weather use.

o        All four implements (javelin, hammer, discus and shot put) can be thrown simultaneously in a safe environment.

o        All four throwing events have circles, cages and runways for elite athlete training and large clinic groups.

o        Developed by Concordia throws coach and Olympic gold medalist, Mac Wilkins.

 

Throw Facility Goals:

o        The Concordia Throw Center will becomea  regional and national resource for developing the throwers at the high school, college, and post-collegiate levels.

o        Year-around clinics and camps for coaching and athlete education

o        Competitions at all levels – International throwing events, collegiate competitions, all-comers meets, Special Olympic events, Scottish Highland Games, family fun days, and learn-by-doing fairs.

o        A feeder system for collegiate throwing programs in the state – Founded in 2004, The Oregon Throwers Academy (OTA) attracts young throwers from around the Northwest for year around training and develops young throwers for a collegiate career.

o        An international network of champions – The Throw Center is to be a resource for throwers from around the world.