The University of Southern California renamed its track and field venue after alum Allyson Felix, the most decorated female Olympic track and field athlete with 11 medals, including seven gold.
The former Cromwell Field is now Allyson Felix Field.
Felix turned professional while in high school in 2003, then enrolled at USC later that year and graduated with a degree in elementary education in May 2008.
“When Allyson and I spoke about naming the field after her, she responded with the grace and humility she has shown throughout her life,” USC President Carol Folt said in a press release. “The Allyson Felix Field will recognize her immense achievements as a sports legend and Trojan — while also showing our admiration for her role as an entrepreneur, advocate and champion for women.”
While a USC student, Felix regularly worked out before dawn, went to class until mid-afternoon and then trained again until it was dark, then did homework. She had made a promise to her family that she would get a college degree and had plans to become a fifth-grade teacher after her track career.
Felix retired last year, 19 years after enrolling at USC, and is now founder and president of the footwear brand Saysh. She also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from USC and delivered the commencement speech for the Class of 2022.
“For me to be born and raised in Los Angeles and have such a history at USC, I am just completely humbled,” Felix said in the release. “It’s such a huge honor to be a part of history in the campus, and it’s such a special place for me.”
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