Fresno State Athletics
First constructed in 1976 to host Fresno State home meets, Warmerdam Field was named after Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam, the former Fresno State head coach and world record holder in the pole vault. Warmerdam Field currently serves as the Bulldogs' practice facility with home meets being held at Veterans Memorial Stadium, one of the nation's top outdoor venues.
In 2017, Warmerdam Field underwent a $2.6-million renovation project that included eight-lane, all-weather Beynon BSS 1000 surface track, a new high-jump area, long- and triple-jump runways, two pole vault runways, and two javelin runways.
Dutch Warmerdam was the first vaulter to clear 15-feet, a height once considered insurmountable. A seven-time United States AAU pole vault champion, Warmerdam held the world pole vault record for four years (1940-43) while using a bamboo pole in a sawdust pit. Warmerdam competed for Fresno State in the 1930s before returning to serve as the Bulldog's head coach for 20 years.
In facility received it's first upgrades in 1989 as the track was resurfaced by Balsom America Track Co. with a 60 percent polyurethan base and 40 percent EPDM rubber. Grass berms around the east and south sides of the track.
The first-ever dual meet held at Warmerdam was on April 23, 1977, when Fresno State hosted California.
