With the renovation of their new football field complete prior to the start of the season, Cerritos College is now in the process of replacing their track and field, as well as their throws area. Part of that process includes the widening of the actual track surface, as well as the installation of new areas for the javelin, shot put, discus and hammer throws. As they did back when the surface was replaced in the early 1990s, the college received a $50,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation (AAF), a private non-profit institution that was endowed with surplus funds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The AAF provides grants to organizations providing youth sports opportunities, giving special attention to groups and communities underserved by traditional sports programs, including girls, ethnic minorities, and the physically challenged and developmentally disabled. AAF funds are primarily intended for the development of youth sports below the elite level.  Grants are awarded within the eight southernmost counties of California.

    The college will use the money to help improve their track and field facility, which will be made of Mondo surface, the world's largest volume producer of rubber surfaces and have been the official track supplier of the last eight Olympic Games. Their surface is also widely considered the best in the world.

    For the college to be awarded the $50,000 grant from the AAF, they had to meet their guidelines, which includes use of the facility by the community, cost-related criteria and other qualifications.

    According to Tabatha Lee, Program Associate, the college met all of the criteria for the grant. "The Board of Directors approved the award based on the fact that a large portion of the funding for the track was already in place and that the facility will be used not only for the college population, but will be open to the community."

    Doug Wells, Cerritos College Director of Track and Field stated, "We are very pleased to receive the $50,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation. Along with the local bond money, we have returned Falcon Stadium to one of the top track and field stadiums in the country. Many thanks to the community and the AAF for making this happen."

    Dr. Dan Smith , Dean of Health, Physical Education and Athletics at the college added, "We are so pleased to receive the grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. Their assurance, along with our community supported bond, will enabled us to construct a quality track in our stadium. This will be of benefit to our classes, our teams and the community groups who utilize this facility."

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Email: John Van Gaston, Ext. 2896
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