Indiana Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum

09/12/2026

🎬 Before he was a Hollywood legend, James Dean was an Indiana track & field athlete! 🏃‍♂️

Long before Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant, Dean grew up in Fairmount, Indiana, where he competed for Fairmount High School in track & field - including the pole vault.

It’s a side of one of Indiana’s most famous movie stars that many people don’t know!

⭐ You can discover James Dean’s track & field story at the Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum in Terre Haute—along with generations of athletes who made their mark on the sport.

And be sure to look up! The museum’s dramatic pole vault display showcases the progression of Indiana’s highest jumps, with poles and height markers climbing nearly to the roof of the two-story space. It’s a great way to see just how high the state’s best vaulters have soared - and how much the sport has changed since Dean competed in 1949.

From Indiana athlete to Hollywood icon, James Dean is just one of the unexpected stories waiting to be discovered here.

🏃 Indiana athletes. Indiana stories. Indiana history.
🎟️ Admission is FREE!



Visit Indiana

08/26/2026

There’s more to Indiana track & field history than what you see on display! 🏃‍♂️

Our museum is filled with decades of memories, accomplishments, and stories from across the state, and you can discover even more online.

Visit the “Did You Know?” section of our website to explore stories and moments that have helped shape Indiana track & field and cross country over the years.

See what you might discover! 👀

🔗 https://indianatrackcchof.com/index.php/did-you-know

08/21/2026

🏃‍♂️ Planning to Come to Terre Haute for the Championships? Make time for a little cross country history! 🏆

Tickets are now on sale for the NCAA Track & Field Division I Cross Country Championships, an exciting event that will bring thousands of athletes, families and fans to Terre Haute’s famous .

While you’re here, make time to explore another piece of our incredible running history at the Indiana Track & Field Hall of Fame Museum! 🏃‍♀️🥇

Museum entry is FREE. Receive a free sticker for visiting!

Tickets for the 2026 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships are on sale now!

🎟️ on.ncaa.com/26xc

08/14/2026

🏃‍♂️ Footwear: Optional. Legendary Status: Mandatory. 🎭

Did you know that long before he was a Hollywood icon, a 14-year-old Dick Van D**e made sports history by winning a college track meet completely barefoot?

This story is proudly preserved at the Indiana Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum right here in Terre Haute, Indiana! It is just one of the hundreds of unique stories waiting to be discovered inside our walls.

In the Spring of 1939, young Dick was a high school freshman living in Crawfordsville, IN. While watching a high-stakes dual track meet between Wabash College and the Purdue University Boilermakers from the bleachers, disaster struck. Wabash's star relay runner suffered a severe ankle injury. With no backup runners left, the coach looked into the stands and asked the lanky freshman to anchor the 4 x 440-yard relay team.

Dick pointed out that he didn't have spike shoes. The coach simply asked: "Can you run barefoot?" Dick's legendary response? "Sure I can." 🦶💨

He stepped onto the track completely shoeless, caught up to the Purdue leader from 5 yards behind, and crossed the finish line to secure an unbelievable victory!

You can find this story—and so many others like it—at the Indiana Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum! 🏆

From legendary athletes and coaches to surprising connections, memorable moments and the stories behind some of your favorite names in track & field, there are treasures waiting to be discovered throughout the museum.

👀 Come see what—or WHO—you can find!

You might just discover that one of your favorites has a story you never knew. ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

**e

See You In Terre Haute
Wabash College

08/07/2026

Celebrating 30 years of cross country excellence in Terre Haute! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏆

The LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course is preparing for an exciting new chapter—and celebrating an incredible milestone along the way. This year marks 30 years of championship racing, unforgettable finishes, and memories created on one of the nation’s premier cross country courses.

The celebration continues on August 15 with the Valley Kickoff, bringing athletes, coaches, and fans together to launch another great season of cross country in the Wabash Valley.

As the course looks ahead to hosting the 2026 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on November 21, 2026, more than $2.4 million in upgrades and improvements are underway to enhance the experience for athletes, spectators, and visitors from across the country.

While you’re visiting LaVern Gibson, make sure your Terre Haute cross country experience includes a stop at another destination celebrating Indiana’s incredible running legacy—the Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum.

Step inside to discover the athletes, coaches, championships, and moments that have made Indiana one of the great running states in the country.

🏃 Celebrate 30 years of LaVern Gibson.
🏅 Explore Indiana’s track & field history.
📍 Experience Terre Haute’s running legacy.

Admission to the museum is FREE. Come discover the stories behind the sport.


Indiana State University

07/28/2026

🇺🇸🥇 Did you know that Indiana has produced more than 150 Olympians—and many of them have roots in track & field?

From Olympic champions to state record holders, Indiana’s tradition of excellence on the track stretches back more than a century. That incredible legacy is preserved right here in Terre Haute at the Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Museum. It’s FREE!

📍 Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a former athlete, or introducing the next generation to the sport, there’s a story waiting to inspire you.

🎟️ Stop by, explore Indiana’s rich running history, and don’t forget to pick up your FREE sticker while you’re there!

❤️ Every champion has a story. Come discover yours.🏃‍♂️ 🏃🏾‍♀️

07/21/2026

🏛️🏃‍♀️🏀 Did You Know? Indiana is home to some incredible sports museums… and TWO of them are right here in Terre Haute! 🎉

Whether you’re a lifelong sports fan or just love Indiana history, Terre Haute is a must-visit destination.

⭐ The Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Museum celebrates the athletes, coaches, teams, and moments that have shaped Indiana’s rich running tradition—from high school legends to Olympians.

🏀 The Larry Bird Museum honors one of basketball’s greatest icons, showcasing the remarkable life and career of Indiana native Larry Bird.

Two museums. Two legendary sports. Both are FREE! One unforgettable stop. 📍

The next time you’re in Terre Haute, experience the stories, achievements, and Hoosier pride that have inspired generations. ❤️🤍

🏃‍♂️🏀 Plan your visit. Explore the legends. Celebrate Indiana sports history!

Capital Improvement Board
Visit Indiana
City of Terre Haute
Vigo County Commissioners

07/16/2026

Did you know? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

The Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum is believed to be the only museum in the nation dedicated to telling the story of a single state's track & field and cross country legacy.

Located in the heart of Terre Haute, the museum brings Indiana's rich running tradition to life through Olympic memorabilia, Hall of Fame exhibits, championship history, and inspiring stories of the athletes, coaches, and teams who shaped the sport.

Whether you're a lifelong track fan, a former athlete, or simply looking for something unique to experience, this hidden gem is well worth a visit.

🎟️ Admission is FREE! Stop by, explore Indiana's incredible track & field history, and pick up your FREE sticker while supplies last.

📍 Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum
Terre Haute, Indiana

Every champion has a story. Come discover theirs—and celebrate the legacy that continues to inspire future generations. 🏅

07/12/2026

🌡️ The forecast: Hot outside. Cool history inside.

Beat the heat at the Indiana Track & Field Hall of Fame Museum, where you can see if you measure up to Dr. Greg Bell’s Olympic gold medal-winning long jump of 25 feet, 8¼ inches (7.83 meters) from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. It looks a lot farther in person!

Then take a journey through the athletes, races, records, and unforgettable moments that have made Indiana one of America’s greatest track & field and cross country states.

🥇Although Dr. Bell passed away in 2025, his legacy—and his lifelong love of track & field—continue to inspire generations in Terre Haute. After your museum visit, stop by the Dr. Greg Bell Gold Medal Plaza in the historic 12 Points District to celebrate one of Indiana’s greatest Olympians.

⭐️ Every visitor receives free sticker while supplies last!

No sunscreen required. Just curiosity.

📍 Indiana Track & Field Hall of Fame Museum
5353 E. Margaret Drive, Terre Haute