The Beckett Family Track and Field Complex has seen a lot of activity over the past three years. In the fall of 1997, construction on a new stadium within the complex began. Seating capacity was increased to 8,500 and a new press box and luxury boxes were added. The field area, also used for field hockey and football, was converted to artificial turf. The track itself underwent some upgrades in the summer of 1998 to bring the competition arena to the highest possible level.

The Complex saw that high level of competition in August of 1998 when the University of Maine hosted the 1998 U.S. Track and Field Masters National Championships. The event drew some of the top master athletes from the United States and around the world. Nine world records fell and one open American record was set during the event.

The Complex will again host some of the top Masters track performers in the world when it hosts the 2002 U.S. Track and Field Masters National Championship.

In May of 1999, UMaine served as host for the Men's New England Track and Field Championship to add another highlight to the Complex.

Other events, including USA Region I Junior Olympics, Special Olympics, USATF Maine Youth Championships, and several high school meets have all taken place at the Beckett track.

The Maine USATF Quebec-Atlantic Canada Open Championship has also been held in Orono. On three occasions, the Beckett Complex was the site of the USA Junior National Racewalk Championship.

"What we envisioned was a premier track facility in the Northeast, with championship meets for all levels of competition," said UMaine head track and field coach Jim Ballinger.

The Complex is named for Clarence B. Beckett of Calais, Maine, a member of the University of Maine Class of 1923, who was the major donor to the $500,000 track and field improvement project in 1991. The loyal Black Bear fan and sports program benefactor has a special interest in football and track. He worked out with the track team as an undergraduate, and served as assistant manager, then as manager in 1921-22.

"The full-pour polyurethane track has the same surface and was poured by the same company that constructed the track for the 1992 Olympic trials in New Orleans," stated Ballinger.

The track and field complex features three long and triple jump areas, two shot put areas, two javelin runways, two hammer and discus cages, a hexagonal high jump area, a steeplechase pit, and four pole vault areas.