Though the Cleveland Metropolitan School District produced track stars such as Jesse Owens and Harrison Dillard, it has just one track today. And its worn and pitted surface is not fit for any athlete. That’s about to change – possibly in time for track season. 

CMSD’s board of education voted last week to spend $763,000 to resurface the outdoor track at Robert “Bump” Taylor Field. District CEO Warren Morgan said it should be ready by spring. 

That’s a game changer for Michael Hardaway, a coach aiming to revive track and field at East Tech High School, Owens’ and Dillard’s alma mater. 

“It means a whole lot to the whole district because we don’t really have any tracks that are usable that are on school property,” he said.

Hardaway’s team practices at Cuyahoga Community College’s track, but he said the facility often gets congested because multiple college and high school teams practice there. As a result, Hardaway’s runners have to train on concrete three days a week, which increases the likelihood that runners could develop the shin injuries that are common among athletes who run on hard surfaces. 

“Another place to practice, another place to get better on and not hurt yourself in the meantime, you know, that’s what it creates,” Hardaway said about getting a new track surface. “Putting our kids in position to get some opportunities moving forward.”

As far as Cleveland’s track scene, Hardaway said it’s full of great athletes and solid competition, noting that Glenville High School – the high school closest to Bump Taylor Field – is the “best of the best.” For the record: Glenville’s track and field team took home Division II state championships in 2022 and 2023. It placed second in 2024.