The 2004 Olympic Trials took place at Hornet Stadium for the second time in a row over the summer. The events attracted a large number of spectators and received national coverage.

From July 9-18, Sacramento State met the needs of the athletes that are in Athens representing the United States. The trials in 2000 broke Olympic Trial records with a total of 187,104 spectators. The 2004 trials had 172,230 spectators over the eight-day period.

Sacramento became the first city to host two consecutive Olympic Trials since Eugene, Ore., did so in 1972 thanks to the CSUS facilities.

“We appreciated the opportunity to hold our event here,” said Tom Surber, who is the media information manager of the Pacific Association of USA Track and Field. “The campus should be awarded by officials and the fans who attended because the facilities and services were outstanding.”

The improvements made to Hornet Stadium in 2000, with the help of Alex G. Spanos and the nonprofit organization Sacramento Region Sports Education Foundation, helped keep the trials in Sacramento for the past eight years.

These improvements included a new practice track, electrical and lighting upgrades and a new scoreboard.

“The money put into the 2000 improvements created a $200,000 loss but we are sure that the revenue made in 2004 made up for it,” said Mike McGrane, the finance director for the Sacramento Region Sports Education Foundation.

The events were broadcast nationwide on both NBC and USA networks. Athletic director for admissions Bill Macriss enjoyed attending to all the members of the media.

“There were 1,200 media members that came to the event that we had to have work spaces for and interview tents,” Macriss said. “It’s been neat watching American athletes running across our track while the university’s name is being shown on national television.”

About 2,000 volunteers worked at the stadium, hotels and the airport.

“About 90 percent of the volunteers were Californians but there were others from such states as Florida and Connecticut,” said Pam Hubbard, director of volunteers and community outreach for the Sacramento Sports Commission.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez acknowledged everyone involved in the Olympic Trials in his State of the University Address on Thursday. He also informed those who attended the address that CSUS has been chosen to hold the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

“It was quite an experience,” Gonzalez said.

CSUS has not yet been awarded the 2008 Trials, but announcements will be made in the spring of 2005.

The Pacific Association of USA Track and Field Web site has stated that they are trying to make Sacramento the country’s track and field capital based on its unmatched support and the impression it has made.