5 Shocking Facts About The Shelly Ellig Indoor Track And Field Facility: NDSU's $5.5 Million 'House Of Champions'
The Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility stands as a modern testament to athletic excellence at North Dakota State University (NDSU), but its story is far richer than just its state-of-the-art track. As of December 25, 2025, this 78,000-square-foot "House of Champions" remains the premier indoor venue for the NDSU Bison, hosting major events like the Summit League Indoor Championships and continuing to serve as the training ground for one of the nation’s most dominant collegiate track programs.
Opened in December 2012, the facility is more than just an athletic complex; it is a legacy project, funded by a significant $5.5 million investment and named after a beloved NDSU alumnus and Fargo philanthropist. The details behind the naming, the construction, and its impact on the region's sports landscape reveal a fascinating history of community support and athletic dynasty building.
The Man Behind the Name: Sheldon "Shelly" L. Ellig Biography
The name "Shelly Ellig" is synonymous with community support and philanthropy in the Fargo area, a legacy cemented by the indoor track and field facility at NDSU. Sheldon "Shelly" L. Ellig was not a former track star or a coach, but a highly successful businessman and a devoted supporter of North Dakota State University athletics.
- Full Name: Sheldon "Shelly" L. Ellig
- Born: December 15, 1927, in Winthrop, MN.
- Died: October 4, 2010, at the age of 82.
- NDSU Connection: Ellig was an alumnus of NDSU, graduating in 1953.
- Professional Career: He was the long-time owner and operator of the Stop-N-Go convenience store chain, a well-known regional business in North Dakota.
- Philanthropy: Ellig was an extremely active supporter of the NDSU Bison and numerous non-profit organizations throughout his life.
- Facility Naming: The facility was named in his honor following a significant $2 million gift to the NDSU athletic department's 'Building the Future' campaign, primarily from the Stop-N-Go organization, which Ellig owned.
- Other Support: Stop-N-Go was also a founding sponsor of the Bison Buddies Youth Basketball Camp.
Ellig’s generosity ensured that NDSU could construct a world-class venue, providing a permanent home for the university’s surging track and field program. His passing shortly before the facility's groundbreaking in 2011 made the naming a powerful tribute to his enduring commitment to the university.
A Closer Look at NDSU's $5.5 Million Indoor Track Marvel
The Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility was the culmination of a 14-month construction project, officially opening its doors to coaches and student-athletes for training in December 2012. The final cost of the complex totaled nearly $5.5 million, a significant investment that yielded a facility designed to meet the highest standards of collegiate competition.
Key Design and Technical Features
The facility’s design prioritizes both elite competition and daily training needs, making it a functional year-round asset for the NDSU Bison. Its structure and surface materials are chosen to maximize athlete performance and safety.
- Total Size: The building spans an impressive 78,000 square feet.
- Track Specifications: It features a 200-meter track with eight lanes.
- Lane Width: The lanes are 42-inches wide, which is the standard width for high-level NCAA competition.
- Surface Material: The track utilizes a high-performance polyurethane/rubber surface, known for its optimal blend of shock absorption and energy return.
- Practice Areas: The design includes additional practice lanes along one straightaway, ensuring training can continue even during events.
- Field Event Zones: Dedicated areas are included for all major indoor field events, including pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and throwing events.
The strategic location of the facility is another advantage. It is situated on the NDSU campus in Fargo, ND, adjacent to other crucial athletic infrastructure, including the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC) and a new multi-million dollar football practice facility. This proximity creates a centralized, elite hub for NDSU's NCAA Division I athletic programs.
The Unmatched Impact: NDSU's 'House of Champions' and Athletic Dynasty
Since its opening, the Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility has lived up to its unofficial moniker, "The House of Champions." The facility provides a substantial home-field advantage for the NDSU Bison track and field teams, who compete in The Summit League.
A Decade of Dominance
The timing of the facility’s opening coincided with a period of intense success for the NDSU program. The women's track and field team, in particular, has established a dynasty, leveraging the new facility for both training and hosting key meets.
- Summit League Success: The NDSU women's indoor track and field program has maintained a near-perfect record, winning every Summit League Indoor Championship meet while competing in the league, a streak that continued after moving into the new facility.
- Major Events Hosted: The facility regularly hosts high-profile collegiate meets, including the Bison Open and the Summit League Indoor Championships, drawing competitors from across the Midwest. The facility most recently hosted the 2024 Summit Indoor Championships.
- Recruiting Advantage: The state-of-the-art nature of the 200-meter track and the overall 78,000-square-foot complex serves as a powerful recruiting tool, attracting top talent to Fargo, ND, and solidifying NDSU’s status in NCAA Division I track and field.
Entities and LSI Keywords: A Hub for Collegiate Athletics
The facility’s influence extends beyond NDSU, serving as a regional center for athletic development and competition. Its technical specifications and high-level usage make it a key entity in the landscape of collegiate sports infrastructure.
Entities and LSI keywords naturally associated with the facility include: North Dakota State University, Stevie Keller (NDSU Women's Track & Field Head Coach), Fargo-Moorhead, collegiate athletic footwear, indoor track surfaces, field event zones, polyurethane/rubber track, and Terrence Dahl and Donna Beres Track Complex (NDSU's outdoor facility). The combination of a world-class facility and the legacy of its namesake, Sheldon Ellig, ensures its continued importance for the NDSU Bison for years to come.
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