The facility is named in honor of Tom Quay Black, a Knoxville businessman and snack foods entrepreneur whose company merged in 1960 with Tom's Snacks,[2][3][4] and who was president of the University of Tennessee Development Council in 1966 and 1967.

In 1965, he and his wife, Katherine Whitten Black, gave a $50,000 donation from their family foundation for construction of the track and stadium.

[5] The stadium around the track was later named in honor of the LaPorte family, whose donation contributed to improvements made to the facility.

Named in honor of Tennessee graduates and track program benefactors Randy and Jenny Boyd and family, the facility provides the track program with new training, storage and meeting areas as well as new public restrooms and concessions area.

[12] Notable University of Tennessee athletes who have competed at Tom Black Track