Retired Olympic track star Allyson Felix is being honored by the University of Southern California, which will name its field at the school’s track stadium after Felix, USC announced.
“When Allyson and I spoke about naming the field after her, she responded with the grace ad humility she has shown throughout her life,” USC’s President Carol L. Folt explained. “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.”
USC is where Felix graduated and obtained her elementary education degree in 2008. She also received her honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the school in 2022.
“For me to be born and raised in Los Angeles and have such a history at USC, I am just completely humbled,” she said. “It’s such a huge honor to be a part of history in the campus, and it’s such a special place for me.”
The field is located at the center of Katherine B. Loker Track Stadium and will be dedicated sometime in the spring.
“Allyson is the most decorated Track and Field Olympian in U.S. history and an inspiration to generations of Trojans,” Folt continued. “My hope is that students playing on the Allyson Felix Field, or just walking by, will see her name prominently displayed and be curious to learn more about her talent, grit and generosity.”
The track star took to Instagram to post the news of her latest honor.
“Allyson Felix Field?!?! Absolutely blown away by this honor. Thank you @uscedu for celebrating me in this extremely special way,” her post read.
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Felix is an 11-time Olympic medalist who won her medals over five consecutive games. Her most recent race was in Oregon, at the World Athletics Championships. She ran in the second leg of the 4 x 400-mixed relay, earning a bronze medal. In addition to her talents on the track field, Felix has used her platform to raise awareness on matters that deal with women and people of color, like maternal mortality.
In the summer of 2022, Felix announced that she was retiring in an Instagram post, thanking everyone for their support.
