For decades, Marist’s track & field teams made do without a track of its own; the student-athletes commuted to neighboring schools, such as Spackenkill High School and Vassar College, simultaneously losing precious practice time and team bonding.
Despite the struggles, the track team persevered, still longing for a track of their own. But in 2025, what head coach and 1986 Marist graduate Pete Colaizzo had dreamed of for three decades became a reality.
After nearly a year of construction, Marist finally opened its own track. On Sept. 27, Marist hosted a “Victory Lap,” inviting alumni and current athletes alike to take a celebratory lap during an afternoon of camaraderie.
“It’s really a dream come true,” said Colaizzo. “I was a runner here for four years, and I’ve been coaching for 35 years, and we’ve never had a home. We’ve always been in vans going off campus to practice, and we’re very proud of what we’ve done as a program. Now we can showcase what we’re doing on our own campus.”
Colaizzo described the commute to Vassar as not so much of a struggle, but more of an inconvenience. It became increasingly harder as the program grew, and the consistent commute time, which was between 20 and 30 minutes, was precious time for student-athletes to lose.
“But we never use it as an excuse, and we have had hundreds and hundreds of athletes come through here that have had great success,” said Colaizzo.
That statement became evident on Sept. 27 as hundreds of alumni from across the country made their way back to Marist to use the new track.
“I applaud Pete for all his efforts, not only with getting this facility in here, but keeping the team a family after all these years. The number of people who came back from 10, 20, 30 years ago who are here today is a testament to that. So it’s really special being back,” said class of 2008 graduate Lisa D’Aniello Chase.
Colaizzo began planning for this event months ago and wanted to invite alumni back so they could celebrate the track they never had. Together, Colaizzo, along with Josie Skelley, the director of development for athletics, and Amanda Benton, the associate director of alumni relations, curated an event that appealed to the track team, track program and the alumni.
“I get to see the legacy that Pete has created for everybody. It’s such an amazing experience just knowing the person that he is and seeing all of these past athletes. People from the class of ‘75 coming back just to be at this event; it’s just amazing. This is truly a legacy. I’m glad to be a part of it,” said Alisha Samuel, an assistant coach.
During the two-hour event, Colaizzo organized multiple heats for runners with various skills to participate in. At the end of the event, the head coach honored the senior track athletes with a small speech and recognition.
Everyone at the event felt a sense of pride, whether they would be using the track this season or had graduated 20 years ago; the collective thought was that this is a huge development for Marist that will transcend the future of Marist track & field.
“It’s just a crazy collection of people. We’re so fortunate to have so many familiar faces to see today. Obviously, we’re all wearing red, we are all Red Foxes and just the fact that we have all been touched by Pete’s work,” said junior middle distance Grace Murphy.
Noelle Feehan-Babcock, who graduated in 1993, had witnessed Colaizzo’s start at Marist, back when there were only eight students on the team, and they used to pull basketball players so they had enough runners to compete. Now, after witnessing her two sons, Ted and Nate, attend Marist, coming back for the Victory Lap was an immediate yes.
“It’s changed so much,” she said. “It is totally surreal being back. It’s so wonderful to see how it’s grown. This used to be a grass soccer field, but this is so wonderful. It’s so well done. It’s beautiful.”
Even those who didn’t run under Colaizzo’s coaching were grateful for his hard work and could recognize the immense effect he has had on people from graduates in the 90s all the way to 2025.
Jay Doyle, who graduated in 1975, came back to run on the new track and reunite with alumni.
“[Running on the track] was surreal, and it was a dream come true. A really special day to see so many people, so many great remarks and so many people to thank… Coach Pete, especially,” said Doyle.
It comes as no surprise that having a track on campus will completely transform the program at Marist. Despite the Victory Lap being a special day to honor those who didn’t have a track, the new track undoubtedly means the most to current students and those who are yet to come.
“I think that it’s a turning point for the team. I think last year was a big turning point, just with the talent that we got on the team. So I feel like the track is definitely a new era for us, and it’s giving us the facilities to show our abilities in the best way that we can,” said sophomore sprinter Lia Mellon.
When recruits come and ask where the track is, people can point to the North End of campus: the commute to practice will consist of a short walk across campus and the entire track team will practice together.
“Having an on-campus track is going to help with recruiting. Because I can tell you, hundreds of recruits through the years, I’d sit down with them, and they say, ‘Marist is such a beautiful campus. Why don’t you have a track?’ I couldn’t really answer that question,” said Colaizzo.
Once Colaizzo told prospective students that Marist didn’t have a track, a floodgate of questions would open for the head coach: Then where do you train? How does it work?
“I would have to explain that to them, ‘no track, no problem, we make it work.’ So now, it’ll be easier to make things work,” Colaizzo said.
A new development in the track program is creating more opportunities for track athletes who aren’t interested in just distance events. Colaizzo has welcomed sprinters and jumpers and hopes to have throwers on the team in the future.
“Marist is a great place. We made it work without a track. Now we will make it work better with a track.”
Pete colaizzo
One of the most exciting factors to come with having its own track is hosting its own meet, which will happen in the spring. However, Colaizzo isn’t too focused on that right now and said the track means the most for their day-to-day operations.
A track right in Marist’s backyard also gives much more flexibility to students, most of whom are taking five classes on top of being a part of a team.
“If a student athlete has to meet with a professor after class, and they’re gonna be 15 minutes late for practice, when we were going off campus, that would be a big deal,” said Colaizzo. “Now, just go to North Field and we’ll be there for you.”
The team is thrilled to begin their first season with a track of their own. As President Kevin Weinman said, the Marist track and field program now has a canvas on which they can paint.
“Let’s paint ourselves a winner,” said Colaizzo, with a smile.
Edited by Ben Leeds
Photos from Ava Battinelli
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