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Saluki Stadium is a stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. It is primarily utilized by the Southern Illinois Salukis football team.

Saluki Stadium

Location	2 Arena Drive Carbondale, IL 62901
Coordinates	37.7086°N 89.2162°W / 37.7086; -89.2162
Owner	Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Operator	Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Capacity	15,000 (2010–present)
Surface	FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground	March 3, 2009
Opened	August 24, 2010[1]
Construction cost	$25.3 million ($31.4 million in 2021 dollars[2])
Architect	360 Architecture Image Architects, Inc.[3]
Services engineer	Henneman Engineering, Inc.[4]
General contractor	J. E. Dunn/Holland
Tenants
Southern Illinois Salukis (NCAA) (2010–present)

History

Construction on Saluki Stadium was completed in August 2010. The horseshoe-shaped stadium seats 15,000 spectators and hosts the school's American football program, replacing McAndrew Stadium.

McAndrew Stadium was built in 1938 and stood as the main track and football stadium for 73 years. It was replaced by Saluki Stadium in 2010. McAndrew Stadium's demolition began and was completed in February 2011.

Saluki Stadium is part of the $83 million Saluki Way Project, which includes a major renovation to the 46-year-old SIU Arena and a new athletic support facility (that features new football offices and football locker rooms). The first event held at the stadium was an open house on August 24, 2010.[1] Southern Illinois christened its new stadium on September 2, 2010, with a game against Quincy.

Salukis Stadium itself is valued at $29.9 million. Along with the 15,000 seats, the stadium has a two-story press box with 12 club suites, a 2,500-square foot VIP Club Room, as well as booths for radio, television, coaches and the print media. A Daktronics video board and new FieldTurf was also added in 2019. [5]

The stadium hosted a large watch party for the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse.

Features

Seating includes 1,080 seat-back chairs as well as capacity for nearly 2,500 on the grass berm enclosing the north end zone. The two-story press box features 12 club suites, a 2,500-square-foot (230 m²) VIP Club Room, along with traditional booths for radio, television, coaches and the print media. A 20x40 foot scoreboard with video replay capabilities in the North end zone and expanded concessions and restrooms enhances the fan experience.

FieldTurf, a Tarkett Sports Company, installed its Duraspine PRO turf system and its patented sand and rubber infill at Saluki Stadium. The top-of-the-line artificial turf is the same that has been installed at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, and numerous other high-profile collegiate institutions and pro football organizations.

Design

360 Architecture and Image Architects, Inc. designed Saluki Stadium and J. E. Dunn Construction Group/Holland Construction Services Joint Venture is the general contractor.[6]

Attendance records

Rank	Attendance	Date	Game Result
1	15,276	September 2, 2010	5 Southern Illinois 70, Quincy 7
2	13,356	October 9, 2010	21 Southern Illinois 45, 15 Northern Iowa 38 OT
3	13,271	September 24, 2011	14 Southern Illinois 20, Missouri State 18
4	13,170	September 27, 2014	17 Southern Illinois 34, Western Illinois 17
5	13,078	September 18, 2010	5 Southern Illinois 21, Southeast Missouri State 24
6	12,796	October 15, 2011	Southern Illinois 23, Youngstown State 35
7	12,166	September 29, 2012	Southern Illinois 3, Indiana State 24
8	11,886	September 26, 2015	Southern Illinois 34, 10 Liberty 13
9	11,408	September 28, 2013	Southern Illinois 27, Youngstown State 28
10	11,150	September 17, 2016	Southern Illinois 50, Murray State 17
11	11,136	October 16, 2010	15 Southern Illinois 10, South Dakota State 31
12	11,121	October 19, 2013	Southern Illinois 10, 1 North Dakota State 31
13	10,644	October 16, 2021	4 Southern Illinois 31, 22 North Dakota 28
14	10,575	October 13, 2012	Southern Illinois 34, Northern Iowa 31
15	10,385	September 13, 2014	20 Southern Illinois 50, Southeast Missouri State 23
16	10,255	October 25, 2014	20 Southern Illinois 26, 22 Indiana State 41
17	10,038	September 7, 2013	Southern Illinois 37, 14 Eastern Illinois 40 2OT
18	10,003	September 10, 2016	Southern Illinois 30, Southeast Missouri State 22
19	9,612	September 15, 2012	Southern Illinois 35, Southeast Missouri State 14
20	9,603	October 22, 2016	Southern Illinois 14, Indiana State 22

See also

• List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums

References

External links

• Southern Illinois Salukis - Saluki Stadium
• New football stadium SIUC's 'missing component'
• SIU Board of Trustees approves planning, budget for Saluki athletics facilities

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