Ott Center for Track & Field
University of Pennsylvania
An Emblem of Greatness
How we helped
- Visual Storytelling
- Social Media Moments
- Design
- Fabrication & Installation
Introduction
The Spirit of Penn
The University of Pennsylvania’s Track and Field program has an exceptional record. With 13 Olympians and 10 Individual NCAA Champions, they needed a facility where people appreciated and celebrated the greatness of track and field. They engaged Advent to help create a hub that unites all facets of the program, fostering connection, inclusivity, and excellence, where athletes of all disciplines—sprinters, distance runners, throwers, and jumpers—can come together as one team that embodies the “Spirit of Penn.”
At its core, the Ott Center emphasizes togetherness, bringing Penn’s track and field family under one roof. As Head Coach Steve Dolan aptly put it, the Ott Center is not just a building—it’s a “home.” Designed to inspire, the center provides spaces for celebration. It’s a place where athletes can feel pride in their sport, motivated by the legacy of those who came before them and empowered to create their own.
“Advent helped identify key branding opportunities and designed them in a way they can change, grow, and update for years to come.”
– Keith Maurer, Assistant AD & Director of Facilities
Photo Gallery
Challenges
- Provide a central location that unites all parts of the track and field program.
- Reinforce team connectedness and camaraderie throughout the facility.
- Celebrate Penn’s legacy to inspire athletes to reach their highest potential.
Process
- Conducting intentional, in-depth interviews through our Storymining process with Athletic Directors, Coaches, and Donors.
- Capturing the “Spirit of Penn” and crafting a space that honors its victories and traditions.
- Designing an athlete-centered facility that embodies the program’s drive for excellence and success.
Solution
- A central facility that brings together all elements of the track and field program, where athletes, coaches, and supporters thrive.
- Facilities that build a culture of teamwork and mutual support across the program.
- An athlete-experience that celebrates the rich legacy and inspires athletes to create history at UPenn.
