USC track & field's Colich Throwing Center officially opens with ribbon cutting event

WILMINGTON, Calif. — "This place is like Disneyland for throws." 

Those were the words of USC track & field coach Martin Marić during Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of the Colich Throwing Center, a state-of-the-art discuss and hammer throwing facility located 17 miles south of USC's campus in Wilmington.

The project was spearheaded by USC track & field alum and donor John Colich, who helped fund the center. The facility provides a world-class training area for USC throwers as well as local youth looking to explore the sport. It will also be used as a warmup area for Olympic athletes in 2028 when Los Angeles hosts the Games. 

- John Colich trying to put USC track and field back on top

The center sits across the street from the Wilmington Boys and Girls Club. The Boys and Girls Club has partnered with Colich to manage the facility and help to get local youth involved in athletics, specifically track & field. Colich's non-profit South Bay Athletic club donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club during the event.

Additionally, former Los Angeles City Council member Joe Buscaino, who emceed Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony, worked to bring the project to life when he was in office.

"There's one critical link to putting this all together, and that's John Colich," USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn said during the grand opening. "John's leadership, drive, vision, character and competitiveness embodies so many of the great things that Trojans are about."

After the ceremony, USC discuss and hammer throwers competed in a meet against athletes from Texas A&M, San Diego State and BYU. USC discuss and hammer events will continue to be held at the center in the future.

"This project has gone beyond my wildest dreams," Colich said. "The location is perfect."

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