Watch now: Illinois State breaks ground on Indoor Practice Facility

NORMAL – It’s the hours spent away from competition that make college athletes. The straining, the sweating, the fine tuning are vital for when the moment to match their skills with others arrives.

Illinois State began the physical process of giving its athletes a better home in which to do that Saturday by breaking ground on its long-sought Indoor Practice Facility.

"This really is a project for everyone," ISU director of athletics Kyle Brennan said. "It's a huge momentum builder for the athletic department."

The $11.5-million facility will be constructed on the former Redbird football practice field directly north of Horton Field House and feature a 100-yard practice field with runoff areas…