FAYETTEVILLE — Fundraisers are close to securing the donations necessary to name Arkansas' yet-to-be-constructed track performance center after one of the program's all-time great runners.
University of Arkansas trustees approved a proposal to name the facility after Frank O'Mara in January, contingent upon the Razorback Foundation securing $3 million for the construction.
Scott Varady, executive director for the Razorback Foundation, said Tuesday that the organization is "close" to securing the needed donations. Varady said multiple individuals, some of whom wish to remain anonymous, have pledged contributions toward the lead gift.
O'Mara was a three-time All-American at Arkansas and in 1983 became coach John McDonnell's first outdoor national champion when he won the 1,500 meters.
It was the first time an Arkansas athlete won an NCAA outdoor title since Clyde Scott won the 110 hurdles in 1948.
O'Mara competed in three Olympic Games between 1984-92 for his home country, Ireland. He won in the 3,000 meters at the World Championships in 1987 and 1991.
Following his collegiate career, O'Mara was a volunteer assistant coach for McDonnell for three seasons, and was on the staff in 1985 when the Razorbacks won the first of their five NCAA triple crowns as national champions in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Following his athletic career, O'Mara became an executive for a telecommunications company in Little Rock.
The 5,000-square-foot track performance center will be built on the south side of the outdoor track, John McDonnell Field. The facility will include new office space, locker rooms, sports medicine and training areas for the men's and women's track and cross country teams.
The center is expected to cost between $8 million and $10 million. A timeline has not been given for the construction of the facility, but it is expected to be ready sometime in the next two or three years.
The track center is one of three athletic construction projects that are in their infancy. The Razorbacks also are building a similar baseball performance center adjacent to Baum-Walker Stadium, and renovating the existing indoor Randal Tyson Track Center. The combined cost for the three projects could total $55 million.
Lead gifts totaling $11 million have been given toward the baseball and indoor track projects by the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation and the family of John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods.