The Bernard & Linnie Key Track and Field Complex at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind., was dedicated on Oct. 1, 2016, during Homecoming and Family Weekend. In attendance were more than 80 members of the Key family as well as Grace alumni, students, parents, faculty, and staff.
The track is named in honor of Bernard and Linnie Key whose lineage includes several Grace graduates. Their family was eager to pay tribute to their legacy of faithful trust and dependence on God. Margaret Key, one of the four daughters of Bernard and Linnie in attendance Saturday, commented that they were committed to their seven children and “although not wealthy, my parents shared generously, trusting God to provide for their needs.” The complex will serve as a reminder of the Key’s valued principles: to know the Word of God and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
At Saturday’s dedication, Dr. Bill Katip, Grace College president, Drew Flamm, vice president of advancement, and Chad Briscoe, athletic director, gave remarks. Greg Dosmann, Grace College board member and grandson of Bernard and Linnie Key, shared about the couple and presented Grace College with a plaque to commemorate the Key’s legacy on campus. Grace Track and Field Coach Jeff Raymond offered a dedicatory prayer. Finally, a ceremonial first lap was taken around the track. Grace track and field athletes Hunter Reed, Paige Kindig, Jesse Zvers, and Joel Zook started the lap and then handed the baton to the four Key sisters who finished the lap arm in arm.
The Bernard & Linnie Key Track and Field Complex is a state-of-the-art design that features a nine-lane, 400-meter competition track with the ability to run sprints in either direction, depending on the wind. The complex includes discus and hammer throw cages, high jump zone and pole vaulting facilities, long jump pits, javelin throw and shot put event areas and grandstand seating for 400.
Grace College broke ground on the complex in April. Less than six months later, the track is nearly complete and ready for competition. “Our fundraising efforts have surpassed our original goal of $1 million,” said Drew Flamm, vice president of advancement for Grace College. “However, fundraising is ongoing as we seek to raise the complete $1.5 million track cost,” he said.
The first track and field meet at the Bernard & Linnie Key Track and Field Complex is scheduled for April 29. On that day, Grace will host the Inaugural Lancer Invitational with teams from at least five other colleges and universities. “We are thrilled to begin hosting track and field meets at Grace for the first time in our 68 year history,” said Chad Briscoe, athletic director at Grace College. “The complex will not only benefit track and field athletes, but indeed all Grace athletes will make use of the new facility. We are extremely grateful to the Key family for making this expansion of our athletic programs possible,” he said.