Empty running track lit by stadium lights at dusk

Harriman, Tennessee · Est. 1984

Renovating the Olympian Sharrieffa Barksdale Track

A safe, engaging place for young athletes to chase their passion — and for a rural community to keep choosing health and wellness.

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1984

U.S. Olympic Team, Los Angeles

54.90

American record, 400m hurdles

Years the track sat unused

501(c)(3)

Donations are tax-deductible

Mission

A place where young athletes and a whole community can thrive

The Sharrieffa Barksdale Track renovation is committed to providing a safe and engaging space for young athletes to pursue their passion for sports and fitness, while enabling a community toward a continued practice of health and wellness.

By investing in modern facilities and programming, we aim to inspire the next generation of track and field stars and foster a lifelong love of physical activity.

"You are somebody, you will let nothing stand in your way because the words CAN'T and NO isn't in your vocabulary, only in the books that you read."
— Sharrieffa Barksdale, OLY

Young runners from many different cultures sprinting side by side on an orange track

Hurdles, starting blocks and a relay baton on a track under dramatic lighting

The need

The track is rebuilt. Now it needs equipment.

The Sharrieffa Barksdale Track is a vital community resource in rural Harriman, Tennessee. It sat unused for more than 38 years after Sharrieffa made the 1984 Olympic Team. Today the surface is back — and children need the tools to train on it safely, effectively and competitively.

Hurdles, starting blocks, jump mats and relay batons for proper training
Youth fitness programming that combats childhood obesity
A supervised, inclusive space that lowers injury risk
Real competition-level gear that builds confidence
A path toward regional meets and track scholarships

Founder & CEO

Sharrieffa Barksdale, OLY

Sharrieffa Barksdale, OLY — 1984 U.S. Olympian

Born in Harriman, Tennessee, Sharrieffa Barksdale rose from humble beginnings to the top of her sport. At Harriman High School she won the Tennessee state track championship single-handedly and was named a High School All-American — while also playing basketball, cheering all four years, and serving as the school's first Black drum major.

On a track and field scholarship at the University of Tennessee, she became the first woman in history to run the 400-meter hurdles in under 55 seconds and set the American record at 54.90. She took silver at the 1983 Pan American Games and made the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team in Los Angeles, finishing 9th in the world.

Harriman gave her the Keys to the City, named a street after her, and built a track in her honor — dedicated on October 18, 1984.

She returned to competition in the Masters in 2000 and was named USATF Kentucky Association Masters Athlete of the Year in 2008. She served as Assistant Manager for the USA Olympic Teams in 2008, 2012 and 2016, and traveled with the team to the 2024 Paris Games.

Sharrieffa was inducted into the University of Tennessee Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Tennessee and Greater Knoxville Sports Halls of Fame in 2022. She is Senior Manager of USATF Alumni Relations, manages Hershey's/USATF RunJumpThrow for youth, co-founded Born 2 Be Elite with Olympic medalist Justin Gatlin, and owns One-on-One Training Academy.

A motivational speaker, singer and songwriter, she is above all the proud mother of Gentel Sharrie and Javarus.

What's ahead

Ten programs for the youth of Roane County

Daily Physical Training

Age-appropriate after-school routines that build discipline, strength and cardiovascular health — fun and teamwork before competition.

Health & Fitness Workshops

Interactive sessions on nutrition and movement, with guest athletes and healthcare professionals making the lessons stick.

Obesity Awareness & Prevention

Practical guidance on portion control, healthy snacking and the real cost of sugar and processed food.

Academic Tutoring

Reading and math support in partnership with local schools, so kids succeed in the classroom as well as the track.

Healthy Cooking Demos

Cooking classes for kids and families using affordable, nutritious ingredients that carry habits back home.

Goal Setting & Mentorship

Students paired with coaches, college athletes and alumni who help them set and track personal goals.

Clinics With Olympians

Seasonal clinics where children train alongside professional athletes, including Sharrieffa Barksdale herself.

Incentive Program

Recognition for attendance, academic progress and participation — SBTF gear, field trips and ceremonies that build confidence.

Mental Health Check-Ins

Mindfulness practice and counselor access, connecting mental health to physical health and school performance.

College & Scholarship Readiness

Workshops with recruiters, former student-athletes and financial aid advisors on the path to higher education.

Why it matters

What a working track gives a rural community

01A positive, structured outlet for youth energy and ambition
02Lifelong habits of fitness, health and well-being
03Skill development and real competition experience
04Belonging and teamwork with like-minded peers
05Time management that carries into schoolwork
06Coaches and mentors as steady role models
07Goal setting on the track and in the classroom
08A focal point for community events and involvement
09A real alternative to drugs, alcohol and risky behavior
10Scholarship opportunities for exceptional athletes

Sharrieffa Barksdale with a group of foundation youth

The next generation the track is built for

Gallery

Moments on and off the track

Sharrieffa Barksdale with foundation youth in SBTF shirts and backpacks — The SBTF family

A ribbon-cutting bow held on lane four of the newly resurfaced track — Cutting the ribbon on the track

A group of supporters holding a large American flag covered in signatures — A flag signed by friends

Sharrieffa Barksdale and two supporters walking the freshly paved track — Walking the new track

City of Harriman officials presenting a $5,000 check for track renovation — $5,000 from the City of Harriman

A $2,500 TDS Cares donation check presented at the track construction site — $2,500 from TDS Cares

The bronze Sharrieffa Barksdale Track dedication plaque from October 18, 1984 — Dedicated October 18, 1984

An overgrown, cracked track surface with weeds growing through the lanes — The reason for the work

The old asphalt track curving past a grassy field before restoration — The old track surface

A guest arriving on the red carpet while a crowd looks on — Red carpet arrivals

Two guests in evening attire posing beneath a floral arch on the red carpet — Under the arch on red-carpet night

Sharrieffa Barksdale in an evening gown greeted by two City of Harriman police officers — Welcome home, Harriman

A guest in a black dress posing at the foundation gala — An evening of celebration

Sharrieffa Barksdale taking a selfie with supporters at a community gathering — Our dream, our team, our community

A couple posing with a SMILE sign in the gala 2023 photo booth — Gala 2023 photo booth

A supporter smiling in the gala 2023 photo booth — Gala 2023 guests

Sharrieffa Barksdale with a sponsor representative beside a Farm Bureau banner — With our partners

Sharrieffa Barksdale with supporters at Harriman High holding a Blue Devils license plate — At Harriman High with the Blue Devils

Sharrieffa Barksdale honored at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame — Hall of Fame honors

Sharrieffa Barksdale posing beside a Tennessee hurdle on the track — On the Tennessee track

Young runners from many different cultures standing together and laughing on the track — One team, one goal

Put the gear in their hands

We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible. Every dollar goes toward equipment, coaching and programming for kids in Harriman.

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