Butler Cancels Indoor Track Series For 2004

Jan. 12, 2004

Butler has cancelled the Stan Lyons Open, the Smith-Barney Invitational and the Cannon IV Classic indoor track and field meets for 2004 due to a shortage of sponsorship funding. The three indoor meets had been held in January and February for the past eight years.

"We were unable to raise the necessary sponsorships to cover the costs of hosting the three meets this year," stated Butler track and field coach Joe Franklin. "Our plan is to continue to pursue sponsors and have the three meets back on the schedule for the 2005 indoor season."

The three meets, hosted by Butler, were held at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport from 1996 to 2002. Last year, the meets were held in a temporary facility utilizing the RCA Dome track. The meets have produced three NCAA indoor track and field records, as well as hundreds of national qualifying marks.

Butler will host the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championship on Feb. 28-29, in Greencastle, Ind. The Bulldogs also will host the Cannon IV Outdoor Track and Field Series at the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium on the IUPUI campus. The series will feature three meets - the Stan Lyons Open (April 17), the Cannon IV Butler Twilight Meet (May 1) and the Bulldog Qualifier (May 8).