Hanson Field is a 16,368-seat

multi-purpose stadium A multi-purpose stadium is a type of stadium designed to be easily used for multiple types of events. While any stadium could potentially host more than one type of sport or event, this concept usually refers to a design philosophy that stres ...

in Macomb, Illinois, US. The stadium which opened in 1950 is home to the Western Illinois Leathernecks football team and track and field team. The field is named after former WIU football coach/A.D. and Marine legend Rock Hanson. A unique feature of the facility is an extensive hillside that surrounds the field allowing for additional seating for thousands of spectators. Outside the stadium, a statue of former WIU

track and field Track and field (or athletics in British English) is a sport that includes Competition#Sports, athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name used in North America is derived from where the sport takes place, a ru ...

coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist

Lee Calhoun Lee Quincy Calhoun (February 23, 1933 – June 21, 1989) was an American athlete, a double winner of 110 m hurdles at the Olympic Games. Biography Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Lee Calhoun graduated from Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana ...

stands and a bulldog statue is located at the main entrance.

History

A record crowd of 19,850 watched the Leathernecks defeat Central Michigan, October 20, 1973. From 1996 through 2004, Hanson Field was the

training camp A training camp is an organized period in which military personnel or athletes participate in a rigorous and focused schedule of training in order to learn or improve skills. Athletes typically utilise training camps to prepare for upcoming events ...

home of the National Football League's St. Louis Rams. Highest-Scoring Game
On September 11, 2004, Western Illinois defeated Division II Cheyney State 98–7.

Renovations

In 2001, the main entrance of the stadium was renovated by adding an iron gate, brick pillars and an arch displaying the words, Hanson Field. The stadium's east side received a $5 million face lift prior to the 2007 season. The renovation to the student seating section, funded largely by a facilities enhancement and life safety fee at the request of student leaders, included new bleachers, increased

seating capacity Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...

, a new entrance, restrooms and concession stands. In 2011, Matrix Turf was installed on the field.

Colts Drum and Bugle Corp Summer Camp

Hanson field of WIU has been home to the Colts' summer training camp for a number of years. The nine-time Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Finalist, from Dubuque, IA are a group of 160 high school- and college-aged musicians, plus 40 staff members and support team members. They train, work and live on the WIU campus for three weeks. Members live in the residence halls and practice at Hanson Field.

References

External links

* Athletics (track and field) venues in Illinois College football venues in Illinois College track and field venues in the United States Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States Western Illinois Leathernecks football Western Illinois Leathernecks sports venues Sports venues completed in 1950 1950 establishments in Illinois {{Illinois-sports-venue-stub

History

Renovations

Colts Drum and Bugle Corp Summer Camp

See also

References

External links