McLean County Times

The Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved a naming rights agreement with OSF HealthCare, resulting in the rebranding of the Indoor Practice Facility to the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center.

"The naming of the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center is further proof of the tremendous partnership between OSF HealthCare and Illinois State Athletics," ISU Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs stated. "OSF HealthCare has been a great supporter of this department and our student-athletes, who use this facility for training and the pursuit of winning championships. The OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center will continue to be a huge asset to Redbird Athletics and will soon be a great resource for our community as well."

This follows last August's announcement of a five-year agreement designating OSF HealthCare as the official health care provider for Illinois State University athletics. Under this agreement, OSF HealthCare provides student-athletes with access to athletic trainers, sports medicine providers, orthopedic surgeons, and behavioral health professionals.

"OSF HealthCare is proud to strengthen our continued relationship with Illinois State University as the official sports medicine provider for ISU Athletics," said Carol Friesen, CEO for OSF HealthCare's Eastern Region. "As a not-for-profit health care organization, we see the state-of-the-art indoor practice facility promoting health and wellness in our Bloomington-Normal communities, especially with student-athletes. OSF HealthCare and Illinois State University are focused on transforming health care in the areas we serve, and this is yet another example of our joint commitment to our communities."

Redbird Athletics dedicated and officially opened the newly named facility on September 30, 2023. The center features a heated dual-membrane fabric air dome designed for year-round use by Redbird student-athletes. It includes a 100-yard practice field with artificial turf matching Hancock Stadium's surface.

Over the past year, more than 450 Illinois State student-athletes have utilized the facility, reducing congestion at Horton Field House. Plans are underway to open it for rental to community groups. Interested parties can contact ISU Associate Athletic Director for Events & Facilities Marc Martindale via email at mamar22@ilstu.edu.

Both institutions have deep roots in the area; ISU was founded in 1857 while OSF St. Joseph Medical Center began operations in 1880 under the Order of St. Francis sisters. In March 2023, they launched a joint research initiative called Connected Communities Initiative (CCI) focusing on medical engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

OSF HealthCare operates an integrated health system headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, including 16 hospitals across Illinois and Michigan employing nearly 24,000 individuals across over 150 locations. The organization has received recognition from Fortune as one of America's most innovative companies.

Illinois State University promotes high academic standards in teaching, scholarship, and public service since its founding in 1857.