Most NIU athletic teams have their own facility to practice at and host events. The football team has Huskie Stadium, the basketball team has the Convocation Center. Some teams, though, aren’t so lucky.

For instance, the NIU women’s track and field team, which has no outdoor facility, is forced to practice indoors at the Convo.

“It’s been very difficult as far as their training,” said head coach Connie Teaberry, who has led the Huskie track and field program since 2004. “Track and field is an outdoor sport. You have the throws, hurdles, and blocks. The indoor surfaces are harder than outdoor surfaces.”

The team practiced at DeKalb High School during the 2005-2006 seasons, but has since moved to the Convo due to their NCAA waiver not being renewed. College programs that practice at high schools have to get a waiver from the NCAA because it can cause recruiting violations.

NIU suffered through another disappointing season in 2008, although things should change once the team opens its brand new facility.

The Huskies finished last at the MAC championships after finishing 11th in 2006 and 2007.

However, there were still positive aspects to the Huskies season, as the team broke three school records.

Sophomore Brittany Houghton broke the school triple jump record at the MAC championships.

Houghton’s 38-04.25 mark is four inches longer than teammate Shoshanna Brown, who set the record in 2007. The Dakota native also broke the NIU indoor long jump record, which had stood since 1981.

“That’s just one of the achievements of the girls, they work really hard, and Brittnay’s evidence of that,” Teaberry said. “She’s a hard worker and very deserving.”

One more school record went down as senior Coretta Evans set the mark in the 200-meter dash.

Evans broke her own record with a time of 24.54.

Meagan Guenther didn’t break any school records, but the senior was named the MAC Women’s Athlete of the Week in January. The award came after Guenther won both the weight throw and shot put at the Eastern Illinois Mega Meet.

Next year the team will have a brand new facility that will host both women’s track and field as well as men’s and women’s soccer. The facility, on the site of the old soccer facility, should be ready in August.

“It should help recruiting, it will help with the athletes we already have here,” Teaberry said. “It will enhance everything.”