Saluki Athletics broke ground on a new track and field facility on May 23, 2011 and the project was completed in May of 2012. Another piece of the Saluki Way initiative, the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex is a $3.96 million project located directly east of Abe Martin Field.
The facility includes:
• A regulation NCAA competition 400-meter track with a state-of-the art, full-depth polyurethane synthetic track surface system.
• Accommodations for regulation NCAA competition field events, including bi-directional pole vault and long and triple jump surfaces.
• Accommodations for regulation NCAA competition throwing events, including a dual shot put pad and hammer throw, discus and javelin areas.
• A state-of-the-art, multi-event synthetic turf infield which can be set to accommodate an NCAA regulation soccer pitch or football field.
• Spectator seating for 250, including seven ADA positions with future capacity for up to 500 additional spectators.
• Pole-mounted track and field sports lighting.
• A 4,500 square foot track and locker support building with future expansion capability.
• A free-standing track building for event operations and viewing.
During indoor season, the Salukis call the SIU Recreation Center home. The SIU Recreation Center features a new, state-of-the-art track: Mondo's Super X 720 track. Mondo has served as the competition surface of the Olympic Games since 1976, and more than 250 world records have been set on Mondo tracks. Other facilities in the U.S. with the Super X 720 surface include Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State University, which hosted the 2014 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Drake Stadium at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), John McDonnell Field at University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and the Vanderbilt Student Rec Center at Vanderbilt University.
The facility also includes:
• A 200-meter competition track as well as a 200-meter warmup track.
• Horizontal jumps and pole vault runways.
• Throwing area includes both a cage for weight throw and ring for shot put.
• Spectator seating available on both the lower and upper levels.
On March 29, 2013, Saluki Athletics dedicated the facility in a ceremony emceed by Saluki Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Reis that included remarks from SIU Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, SIU Chancellor Rita Cheng, current head coach Connie Price-Smith, former head coach and namesake Lew Hartzog, 1980 NCAA hurdles champion David Lee and current Saluki hurdler Tess Shubert. To christen the facility, Southern Illinois hosted the inaugural Bill Cornell Spring Classic over the next two days