Track meet back home Sat.

After a brief pause, N.C. Central University welcomes back the Leroy T. Walker/Lee Calhoun invitational.

The annual track meets combine the names of two of NCCU's legendary track and field figures and members of the Alex Rivera Hall of Fame for the first time.

Walker, a former NCCU chancellor and NCCU head track and field coach, is perhaps best known as the first African-American president of USA Track & Field, the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking.

Calhoun, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 1956, 1960 and USA Track & Field Hall of Famer is arguably the most prolific sprinter in school history.

"Those two names mean a lot to NCCU track and field,"  said head coach Michael Lawson.

"Dr. Walker did a lot of great things through track and Calhoun was a track and field giant."

In previous years the college meet was named after Walker while the High school meet was named after Calhoun.

Saturday's all-day event will be the 19th college meet hosted by NCCU in Walker's honor and the 18th high school Calhoun meet on campus.

This is the only time this season that the NCCU students will compete at home.

"Every team in this area has a meet every week, so it would be hard to put on another meet," said Lawson.

The meet will bring together local high school talent and some MEAC competitors.

"The meet is in place to bring local talent together on our campus and provide an opportunity for collegiate and high school athletes to compete," said Lawson.

He said conducting a successful track meet takes careful planning and a little luck.

"We have to wish for good weather and make sure all of our manpower and facilities are together," he said.

"I am looking forward to this growing and into a big event and everyone will know there is one major meet on this campus," said Lawson.