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Al B. Carius Track
Named for legendary North Central head men's cross country and track and field coach Al Carius, this state-of-the-art competition venue features a six-lane, 200-meter track, three pole vault runways and two long/triple jump pits as part of a 100,000-square-foot recreation facility which also includes an elevated walking track, four multipurpose athletic courts, locker and athletic training facilities and a fitness center. The facility is located within the Residence Hall/Recreation Center east of Merner FIeld House.
Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, which seats 5,500, was completed in 1999, while the Jay and Dot Buikema track was resurfaced in 1997 and a Safeplay Plus artificial playing surface was installed in 2002.
The Stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the Illinois high school boys and girls soccer state finals and the Wes Spencer Crosstown Classic, the annual showdown between Naperville North and Naperville Central high schools. It also served as the temporary home of the Chicago Fire for two seasons.
North Central College’s baseball facility, Zimmerman Stadium, which includes Alumni Field, was dedicated in 1999. The home of Cardinal baseball resembles a professional minor league facility, with permanent seating for 750 fans and a fully enclosed and wireless pressbox. The facility has hosted the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association summer state tournament and Major League Baseball’s RBI World Series and Area Code tryouts.
Cardinal softball plays at Shanower Family Field. In April 2002, the field was dedicated to honor the family of Don Shanower, beloved professor emeritus of speech communication and theatre and enthusiastic softball fan. The dedication took on added meaning after the Shanower’s son Dan, a commander in the U.S. Navy, was among the victims of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. The field has been host to an NCAA III regional tournament and was part of Major League Baseball’s RBI World Series.
Gregory Arena inside Merner Field House
Merner Field House is home to all Cardinal indoor sports, with 2,000 seats in Gregory Arena for the basketball and volleyball teams. In 2006, a new running surface was installed to accommodate the indoor track teams.
On the second floor of Merner Field House is Nichols Gymnasium, home to the North Central College wrestling team. The College’s swimming pool is also located in the Field House.
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