Case Family Investment in Track & Field Facility Brings the Competition Home
March 24, 2025
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
As Track & Field athletes Jayden Smith ’25 and Anne Bernquist ’25 complete their senior seasons, one upcoming meet, on March 29, will be held in a special new location — at home. For two decades, the Davidson College Track & Field program has been unable to host home meets because of facility limitations; the Lisa and Jeff Case Track & Field Complex changes all that.
“Our new facility is a fantastic investment in the future of our programs,” said Berquist, an All-Conference performer in both track and cross country. “The resurfaced track and new throw cage are state of the art and will improve our quality of training and preparation for competition. The updated locker room has quickly become a gathering place for the team to discuss goals and recover after practice. Having a space for us to gather has fostered closer relationships.”
Both seniors are eager to compete, finally, where classmates, professors and others can pop across campus to watch.
“It's so interesting being a senior, two months away from graduating, and seeing how much our team has evolved over the years,” said Smith, a hurdler who has held school and conference records for his performances. “This team has accomplished so much and has grown my love for this sport tremendously. I'm actually kind of nervous for my colleagues to see me run now that the meet is getting so close, but I'm sure it'll be a great start to a long line of amazing performances on our home turf!”
Even before the first meet, the facility has made an immediate impact.
"Since we are no longer sharing a stadium, we have 24/7 access to everything. The facility is obviously amazing for our current scholar-athletes, and we have already seen improvement in recruiting. Having a track-only facility in the center of campus is rare, and that’s what we now offer.”
With new name, image, likeness requirements (NIL) and roster limits, Stuck said a lot of schools are pulling resources away from track and cross country programs. Instead, Davidson is making a significant investment in its program.
“The commitment by Davidson College, the athletic department and the donors, particularly the Cases, speaks to the overwhelming support of our track & field program,” said Director of Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Jen Straub. “This facility will enhance our ability to attract top scholar-athletes as we continue to build our program. I am profoundly grateful and am excited to host many meets in the future!”
Deep Connections and the Honor Code
Lisa Green Case ’99 remembers traveling every weekend as a runner at Davidson. The team trained on a four-lane asphalt surface, which wasn’t easy on the knees, and on the cross country trails. When the idea for a brand new facility came along — one that would elevate the experience for so many — she and her husband, fellow Wildcat Jeff Case ’99, were excited to get involved.
“The track team is one of the largest athletic teams at Davidson, and it is one that has the potential to attract diverse athletes,” Lisa said. “That is meaningful to us, as is the potential for local high schools to compete in the new facility, for the entire campus to benefit from the new weight room beneath the stadium seating, and for the broader Davidson community to take advantage of the track. The community aspect is wonderful.”
Lisa found herself on the track team at Davidson by accident – she had completed some triathlons, but she didn’t run for her high school. A student of routine, she would run on and around campus every day, and it turns out someone was paying attention.
“One day, as I was running my usual route, a man standing nearby caught my attention by calling out something along the lines of, ‘I’ve been watching you,’” she said. “After an initial reaction of slight concern, I learned that he was a coach of the women’s cross country and track teams, Coach Drake, and he asked if I had any interest in joining the team for a practice or two to see what I thought. I decided to accept the invitation, and that was that. What started as a hobby and a way to stay in shape after leaving high school athletics became an opportunity to compete, and it’s still a huge part of my life. I get out for runs regularly, and Jeff and I have three daughters who all run for their schools.”
The accessibility of track & field is also important to the Cases.
“Running is one of the few sports that can truly be a lifelong pursuit and that can be competitive for people of all ages, and you don’t need gear,” she said. “There aren’t many barriers to entry, unlike many sports that require expensive equipment or extensive lessons in rules or skills. You just need a pair of shoes.”
While Lisa arrived at Davidson without much context, Jeff’s connections to the college extend from his early years; both cherish their relationship with alma mater.
“My mother (Dr. Verna Miller Case) was a longtime faculty member and associate dean at Davidson, and my father and brother both went to Davidson,” Jeff said. “I feel like I spent my entire childhood on campus, including many hours on the grounds of what is now this amazing track & field complex. Later, I met Lisa at Davidson when we were students. My love for the community and the college is deep, and this is a special opportunity to support a project that has ties to much of my history with Davidson.”
“Having classmates from all over the country and world whose backgrounds were different from my own really opened my eyes and changed my life,” Lisa said, “and the Honor Code bonds Davidsonians across generations in a way that is extremely unique. The shared commitment to integrity is what makes Davidson so special, and it is a big part of why Jeff and I hold it so dear. Every time we’re on campus, we feel like we’re home.”
A Community Invested
In addition to the lead contribution of the Case family, fundraising continues, and two other named spaces already have added tremendous value to the facility.
Woody Van Meter is a 1975 Davidson graduate who, as a student, competed on the outdoor and indoor track teams as a pole vaulter, breaking records and gaining recognition as the program’s MVP. His generous gift named the Woody Van Meter ’75 Pole Vault Facility.
Andrew and Cheryl Masterman, parents of current senior Nick ’25, who competes in javelin and has served as team captain, gave generously to name the Masterman Javelin Runway.
Many others have made gifts to make the track & field programs what they are today, with several recent gifts made in honor of former coaches Gary Andrew, a twice-honored Southern Conference Coach of the Year, and Hall of Famer Sterling Martin ’63 — leaders who helped lay a foundation of excellence for Davidson Athletics.
“An investment in this facility is an investment in the future of Davidson Athletics and Davidson College,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics Chris Clunie ’06. “Our exceptional scholar-athletes deserve exceptional spaces where they can train, compete and welcome opponents — it’s all part of our commitment to doing athletics right. I’m grateful, excited and eager to watch our Wildcats do what they love, right here at home.”
Join us this Saturday, March 29, for the first home meet! The Davidson Relays will include an alumni mile, a youth race and a community 4x100 relay to celebrate the Davidson community members and alums who support today’s Wildcats as fans, donors and more. Additionally, the college will recognize graduating seniors and donors to this exciting project.
The Davidson Athletic Fund team is raising support for additional equipment required to put on high-quality meets. One of our consistent donors is matching every dollar given at this time. If you are interested in learning more and getting involved, contact Assistant Director of Athletic Development Addie Driscoll at 704-894-2219 or addriscoll@davidson.edu.
