The Mildred J. Hillenbrand Memorial Track is within one of the region's most recognizable, man-made landmarks, the DakotaDome. The multi-purpose DakotaDome was one of the first of its kind when it opened in 1979. Hillenbrand Track is a fast, 200-meter indoor track that has made the DakotaDome a popular five-time host for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993). The DakotaDome provides the Coyote track and field team a place to train and compete during the indoor season and when the weather outside prevents athletes from utilizing the outdoor Lillibridge Track and Field Complex.
The University of South Dakota made the move to NCAA Division I in 2011 following decades of being one of the premier Division II track and field programs in the nation capturing a total of 44 team conference championships. The Coyote track and field program has produced 22 NCAA Championships, including four at the NCAA Division I level, and garnered 344 All-America distinctions.
About the Mildred J. Hillenbrand Memorial Track: Through a generous gift by William G. Hillenbrand, a new eight-lane 200-meter track was installed in the DakotaDome during the summer of 1996 and officially named the Mildred J. Hillenbrand Memorial Track. The running track with 48-inch lanes makes the DakotaDome one of the finest indoor track facilities in the nation. It only adds to the reputation of a sports complex that has been the site for five NCAA Division II indoor track and field championships and 16 North Central Conference indoor meets. The late Bill Hillenbrand of Tucson, Ariz., began his personal history in Batesville, Ind., where Hillenbrand Industries, a diversified company on the Fortune 500 list, is located. His career included positions with Hillenbrand Industries, as well as entrepreneurial ventures in Indiana and Arizona. He was chairman of the Board of Advisors of Mortage, Inc. of Tucson, Ariz., Scottsdale, Ariz., and Chicago, Ill. In addition to scholarship gifts, Hillenbrand was particularly interested in the development of recreation, fitness, physical education and sports programs. An abiding interest in education was shown by his generous attention to the needs of several institutions, including the likes of the University of Arizona and Indiana University. Hillenbrand received an honorary degree from The University of South Dakota in December, 1996.
