To provide students with a modern campus, improve the experience of athletes and spectators attending games, and enhance the safety of hosting events, the leadership of Benet Academy proposes to invest in the campus and modernize its outdated and obsolete stadium and athletic complex. The transformation project benefits students, families, fans, and the greater Lisle community.

“Since opening our current campus doors in 1956, Benet has continuously invested in its campus to provide students with access to the facilities, faculty, curriculum, and faith-based programs that inspire them to reach their potential, but the one area that has mostly stayed the same is our stadium and athletic fields. We’re excited at the opportunity to move our campus and student experience forward by renewing the stadium and bringing the tradition back home to Benet,” said Bill Myers, Benet President.

Athletics and physical education are essential components of the student experience and help instill healthy, active habits in youth. The renovated stadium and athletic fields will provide students and athletes with access to modern facilities and offer playing surfaces that improve safety:

• Enhanced Physical Education Classes: The new all-weather track and multi-sport turf field will elevate the quality of physical education classes. Students will have access to modern facilities consistent with those found at schools across the region, promoting their overall well-being and encouraging active lifestyles.
• Modern Facilities To Encourage Healthy Habits: By providing a versatile, safe, and durable playing surface for football, cross country, soccer, track, lacrosse and even the marching band, the stadium renovation and additional turf field allow students and athletes to participate in various sports and activities, fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.

The renewed stadium and athletic fields are proposed to occur in two project phases. To date, Benet has secured generous financial support and continues raising funds for the initiative.

• Phase One: Involves renovating the existing stadium through the installation of a multi-sport synthetic field, replacing the current track with a new all-weather track, constructing a new grandstand with enclosed press, hospitality, and coaches’ boxes, and creating visitor seating on the east side. Other upgrades include the installation of modern lighting, audio systems, and a scoreboard. A new alumni plaza will be featured at the stadium entrance to honor the community’s past and current support of Benet.
• Phase Two: Construction of a hospitality building and pavilion at the northern portion of the stadium complex, housing concessions, a spirit store, restrooms, team rooms, and a training room. To the east of the main drive, the school plans to install another synthetic turf field, primarily for hosting soccer matches

To manage the stadium’s renovation and deliver the renewed facility in time for the 2026-2027 academic and athletic calendars, the school envisions commencing construction shortly after obtaining all necessary approvals and permits from the Village.

Benet Academy is committed to providing its students with exceptional academic, faith, and extracurricular opportunities. The proposed renovation and modernization of the stadium and athletic fields will transform our athletic facilities, enriching the overall educational experience for all students and visiting student-athletes.

Today, Benet is one of only two high schools in DuPage County whose home stadium does not have access to a lighting system. This negatively impacts student athletes and their high school experience. The use of lighting and other technologies at high schools is common throughout the region.

While some competitions have been able to be scheduled at the neighboring facility, hosting home sporting events off campus is atypical and is not a viable long-term solution.

Benet is not a party or signatory to the agreement between the Village of Lisle and Benedictine University. Benet does not have rights or preferences to use facilities at Benedictine’s Sport Complex and some requests cannot be accommodated by the University due to scheduling conflicts.

Renewing the stadium will bring the tradition of hosting events back to Benet at a facility that creates a sense of community and pride by fostering shared experiences among students, friends, fans, family, neighbors, and community members.