Hanson Field

The historic Hanson Field and surrounding stadium is a multipurpose athletics facility located in the center of the Western Illinois University campus. The complex features an eight-lane track and underwent a renovation during the summer of 2011. The stadium capacity is more than 16,000.

The 2011 Leatherneck Football home-opener against Jacksonville on September 10th also debuted the new Matrix Turf brand artificial surface, installed by Hellas Construction, at Hanson Field.

The entire Hanson Field project included: removal of the current grass surface and the track and field jump pits, installation of the Matrix Turf and renovation of the field events area. The installation of a javelin runway, four new pits for the long jump and triple jump, and redesigning the discus/shot put areatook place on the north end of the facility. Total cost of the project is $1.3 million. The field design was courtesy of WIU Visual Production Center's Brian Kreps and Neil Wiarda.

This project is part of the Target: Western Forward Facility Initiative which was launched in September 2001. In 2007, the east side of Hanson Field underwent a renovation with seating and concessions stands. Future plans include: a video scoreboard display, the west side seating, and press box facility, coaches offices and campus classrooms.