USC will honor the achievements of 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix by naming their track field after her. The L.A. native graduated from USC in 2008 with a degree in education and went on to become the most decorated American Track and Field athlete in history.
“For me to be born and raised in Los Angeles and have such a history at USC, I am just completely humbled,” Felix 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 honor, normally privy to donors, was given to Felix for not only her legendary efforts on the track but her advocacy for women’s rights. There will be a formal event for the honor in the spring.
“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. “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.”
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Felix never ran for the USC track and field team as she signed a contract with Adidas to be a professional athlete at the time. She competed in the first of five Olympic games after her freshman year, winning a silver medal in the 200m during the Athens Games.
The Los Angeles native Felix is also the most decorated athlete in the World Championships with 20 medals from 2005-2022.
Along with her stellar track career, Felix launched the Saysh shoe brand in June 2021. She left Nike after they refused to provide her with maternity benefits and salary guarantees. She then became an advocate for issues that affect female athletes and athletes of color, including inequality in contract negotiations.
Giving birth to her daughter Camryn inspired Felix to also advocate for maternity health. During her pregnancy, she suffered from severe preeclampsia and had an emergency C-Section. Felix shared her experience and even spoke to the United States House Committee in order to battle disparities in maternal mortality.
“Allyson is the ultimate Trojan,” USC Distinguished Professor and naming committee leader Paula Cannon said. “She graduated with a degree from [the USC Rossier School of Education], crushed it at multiple Olympics and international competitions, and bravely stood up for what she knew was right when her employer did not. It will be so wonderful that the field she walked around as a little girl from the neighborhood will be named in her honor.”
Felix has strong ties to USC; her grandmother would take her and her brother Wes to walk around campus. Her father Paul is a Trojan and Wes won Pac-10 titles in 100m and 200m for USC.
The field is in the center of the Katherine B. Loker track stadium, which is utilized by the track and field team, the Trojan Marching Band, ROTC, and recreational sports.
