April 18, 2026: A day that will forever be etched in the Marist track and field history books. A day that marked the start of a new chapter for the Red Foxes, made possible after decades of dedication and perseverance from previous Marist runners.
On the morning of the first meet at our brand-new home track, I woke up with a sense of purpose. A feeling that is usually clouded by nerves was overwhelmed with excitement for the day ahead. I enjoyed oatmeal with my teammates at our kitchen table and looked out the window to see the sun shining down on what would be a monumental day for the team.
For the first time ever, visiting teams and fans lined the track, rooting on the Red Foxes and witnessing facility and program records all day long. The highly anticipated day went by in a blur—upperclassmen and program director Pete Colaizzo repeated the phrase “today feels like a dream” throughout the day.
Coach Pete has been at Marist for the entirety of his coaching career. He has been the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams since 1991, making him the longest-tenured coach at Marist. In that time, he has created a culture that has allowed the team to grow to what it is today: 100-plus athletes that cover almost every event in track and field.
He has built a diverse coaching staff that can support each event group and compete at a level wasn’t feasible before, but has now become a reality. It is not possible to thank Coach Pete and the alumni of the program enough for the vision they have executed and what they have done to uplift the program.
Lisa Chase (’08) competed unattached in the women’s 1,500-meter and had a dominant performance pacing alongside current members of the women’s program, distorting the mind of Coach Pete as he watched the race.
“Well, this is something I never thought I would see….” said Pete. “A badass group of women past and present running on our track together…that’s just incredible, man.”
When the track opened its gates in the fall, it felt surreal being surrounded by generations of Marist athletes celebrating such a joyful occasion. President Kevin Weinman has been campaigning to give the track program a home since he arrived at Marist in 2021, and seeing the impact of his efforts radiate across the program gave us all a new purpose: to compete for something bigger than ourselves and make every moment count.
Being a senior captain on the team has meant the world to me, as I have grown tremendously since my freshman year and seen the team transition in so many ways during my time at Marist. A program rooted in community and perseverance, surrounded by support from alumni, family and the Marist community is an environment that I cannot express enough gratitude for. The lifelong connections that this program fosters are unlike anything you will ever see and are only growing as the years pass. Each individual makes an impact and feels at home when coming back to the program, even after 18 years.
There is no better feeling as an athlete than being surrounded by love and genuine support from teammates who feel like family. One of the best things about the program, and the support from alumni, is that it goes beyond just running; it’s about genuine human connections and valuing all things that have been done outside of running fast on the track. The Red Fox River Rumble showcased how deep the roots are in the Marist track family and how much growth is ahead for the program.
As the final race in my Marist career approaches, there is no better way I would want to end my time here than having the experience of competing at home. A day that will forever be appreciated, and a moment I am proud to have contributed to, cannot be fully expressed in words. The future is bright, and having the opportunity to be a part of history over these four years is an incredible feeling I cannot cherish enough.
Edited by Max Rosen
Photos from Ruby Kaupp
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