Saluki Stadium Explained

Saluki Stadium
Location:2 Arena Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
Broke Ground:March 3, 2009
Opened:August 24, 2010
Owner:Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Operator:Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Surface:FieldTurf
Construction Cost:$25.3 million
($ in dollars)
Architect:360 Architecture
Image Architects, Inc.[1]
Services Engineer:Henneman Engineering, Inc.[2]
General Contractor:J. E. Dunn/Holland
Tenants:Southern Illinois Salukis (NCAA) (2010–present)
Seating Capacity:15,000 (2010–present)

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.

History

Saluki Stadium was constructed to replace McAndrew Stadium which was built in 1938 and stood as the main track and football stadium for 73 years. The new stadium was completed in August 2010 and followed shortly thereafter by McAndrew Stadium's demolition 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.[3] Southern Illinois christened its new stadium on September 2, 2010, with a game against Quincy.

Saluki Stadium itself is valued at $29.9 million and has a capacity of 15,000. A Daktronics video board and a new FieldTurf were added in 2019.[4]

The stadium hosted a large watch party for the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse and did the same for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse.

Features

The stadium's seating includes 1,080 seat-back chairs as well as a 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 VIP Club Room, along with traditional booths for radio, television, coaches, and the print media. A 20-by-40-foot scoreboard with video replay capabilities in the north end zone and expanded concessions and restrooms enhance the fan experience.

Attendance records

RankAttendanceDateGame Result
1 15,276 September 2, 2010 Southern Illinois 70, Quincy 7
2 13,421 September 21, 2024 7 Southern Illinois 21, 21 Southeast Missouri State 38
313,356 October 9, 2010 Southern Illinois 45, Northern Iowa 38 OT
413,271 September 24, 2011 Southern Illinois 20, Missouri State 18
513,170 September 27, 2014 Southern Illinois 34, Western Illinois 17
613,078 September 18, 2010 Southern Illinois 21, Southeast Missouri State 24
712,796 October 15, 2011 Southern Illinois 23, Youngstown State 35
812,166 September 29, 2012 Southern Illinois 3, Indiana State 24
911,927 October 21, 2023 Southern Illinois 10, South Dakota State 17
1011,886 September 26, 2015 Southern Illinois 34, Liberty 13
1111,408 September 28, 2013 Southern Illinois 27, Youngstown State 28
1211,150 September 17, 2016 Southern Illinois 50, Murray State 17
1311,136 October 16, 2010 Southern Illinois 10, South Dakota State 31
1411,121 October 19, 2013 Southern Illinois 10, North Dakota State 31
1510,644 October 16, 2021 Southern Illinois 31, North Dakota 28
1610,575 October 13, 2012 Southern Illinois 34, Northern Iowa 31
1710,385 September 13, 2014 Southern Illinois 50, Southeast Missouri State 23
1810,359 September 30, 2023 Southern Illinois 33, Missouri State 20
1910,255 October 25, 2014 Southern Illinois 26, Indiana State 41
2010,118 October 15, 2022 Southern Illinois 30, Western Illinois 7

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.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Holland, JE Dunn Start $83M SIU-C Athletic Complex. St. Louis Business Journal. February 2, 2009. December 11, 2013.
  2. Web site: New Football Stadium and Sports Facilities Southern Illinois University. Henneman Engineering, Inc.. December 11, 2013.
  3. Web site: Samron Midwest Overcomes Cold, Wet Conditions to Drive New Football Stadium Over the Goal Line. Bobcat Company. December 11, 2013.
  4. Web site: Gameday Guide.
  5. Web site: Saluki Stadium. Southern Illinois Athletics. June 28, 2010. December 11, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120722142247/http://www.siusalukis.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/062810aaa.html. July 22, 2012.