DES MOINES, IOWA -- They came. They saw. And they were impressed.

That was the consensus by representatives of USA Track and Field which made a site visit to Drake Stadium in preparation for the 2010 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

"The configuration of Drake Stadium is beautiful," said Duffy Mahoney, director of High Performance Programs with USA Track and Field. "I think it looms as a great site for the national championships."

Mahoney was part of a four-man delegation that included Adam Schmenk, the events and broadcasting coordinator; John Chaplin, chairman of the Men's Track and Field Committee; and Ed Gorman, who will serve as field events referee.

Drake Relays director Brian Brown and Drake assistant athletic director Mark Kostek spearheaded the local organizing committee.

The group spent the day with Drake University Athletic officials as well as Al Lorenzen, director of the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, covering logistics for the five-day meet which will be held June 23-27 attracting more than 1,700 of the best track and field athletes in the country.

Drake officials conducted a three-hour tour of Drake Stadium, covering athlete flow from check in to post-race, training and medical areas, meet and press operations. The USA Track and Field Championships will be televised on ESPN as well as NBC.

"Everyone puts on track meets throughout the year, but the USA Championships are different," said Schmenk. "So we have to be able to see and make sure everything makes sense in working with the local organizing committee to make sure we're all on the same page.

"Drake Stadium  is unique in that it has abilities that other stadiums don't have. A bowl-type structure, like Drake Stadium, allows you to control the athletes and where they go much better than a stadium with fence or multiple gaps. The local organizing committee has been fantastic and willing to do what ever it takes to put on the best national championships they can have."

Mahoney came away impressed with the $15 million renovation of Drake Stadium in 2005 that included a new throwing venue north of the stadium.

"The outside throws field offers a great opportunity to put the focus on the throwing events," said Mahoney. "Obviously inside the stadium we will be focusing on the running and jumping events.

The group also visited with local hotel properties to discuss housing for athletes and officials as well as shuttle services to the stadium that will be provided for athletes and fans.

"Brian (Brown) and Mark (Kostek) have done a fantastic job in preparation for the championship," said Mahoney.

"You have to make sure you work with your base of track and field fans from the west coast to the east coast and in the midwest," Schmenk added. "You need to keep everyone happy and allowing the athletes to see new venues and experience different types of hospitality is good exposure for our sport. You can't have everything in one place all the time."

Fans can purchase tickets for the U.S. Championships by contacting the Drake Athletic Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or online at www.godrakebulldogs.com