Bud Winter Field Explained

Bud Winter Field was the San Jose State University track and field arena, named after former coach Lloyd "Bud" Winter. Out of the athletes Winter coached, 102 were All-Americans,^[1] earning the university the nickname "Speed City".^[2]

Olympians and activists Tommie Smith and John Carlos trained on the track before their famous 1968 Olympics Black Power salute in Mexico City.

The field was demolished in 2019. A parking garage has been built on the site.^[3] A replacement track on the parking garage's rooftop was abandoned due to its projected cost. A tribute to the Speed City is planned for the site.^[4] In 2022, the university began raising funds to build a $ Speed City Legacy Center, including a replacement track, at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds nearby.^[5]

References

1. News: Retired Track Coach Bud Winter Dies of Heart Attack at 76. 1985-12-08. Los Angeles Times. 2019-04-05. en-US. 0458-3035.
2. Web site: San Jose State to revive its fabled 'Speed City' track program. Bembry. Jerry. 2016-08-02. Andscape. en-US. 2019-04-05.
3. Web site: San Jose State plans to turn historic track into parking garage. 2019-04-04. The Mercury News. en-US. 2019-04-05.
4. South Campus Recreational Field, Speed City Tribute & Parking Garage Plan Announced. San Jose State Spartans. 2019-04-13. 2022-07-11.
5. News: San Jose State gets $9 million for 'Speed City' track and field facility. Sal. Pizarro. The Mercury News. San Jose, California. October 15, 2022. February 10, 2023.