05-04-2007, 10:44 AM
Bowling Green State University Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Greg Christopher has announced the department will replace the 41-year old natural grass playing field at Doyt L. Perry Stadium with the synthetic grass surface, FieldTurf in time for the 2007 season. Cost of the project is expected to be $966,000.
"We have been in discussions for several months about the future of our playing surface at Perry Stadium," said Christopher. "FieldTurf is a product that our players and coaches have a great deal of confidence in. The new surface also benefits BGSU on two fronts: it allows us greater flexibility with the stadium, meaning many of our teams can practice on the surface and Perry Stadium can host more events which helps the department generate new revenues. Secondly, we expect to see cost savings over time related to maintenance of the old surface."
BGSU is among the many Universities and professional organizations that have chosen FieldTurf as its playing surface over the past eight years. BGSU will be the 29th NCAA Division IA school and sixth in the MAC to have FieldTurf installed in their home football stadium.
"We have long prided ourselves regarding the grass surface at Perry Stadium and it has served us well over the last 41 years," said Christopher. "The surface itself, which has never been replaced, is in outstanding shape and will be used at other facilities on campus. Our concern is with the condition of the existing drainage system, which also was installed in 1966, and we believe this change best serves the interests of our program."
"I would like to thank Jim Elsasser (Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations) and others for their work in leading to this decision," added Christopher. "Jim led a cross-campus team on a process that looked at all of our options related to fixing the Doyt's playing surface. As we examined the various choices, FieldTurf stood out as the best solution."
"We have been in discussions for several months about the future of our playing surface at Perry Stadium," said Christopher. "FieldTurf is a product that our players and coaches have a great deal of confidence in. The new surface also benefits BGSU on two fronts: it allows us greater flexibility with the stadium, meaning many of our teams can practice on the surface and Perry Stadium can host more events which helps the department generate new revenues. Secondly, we expect to see cost savings over time related to maintenance of the old surface."
BGSU is among the many Universities and professional organizations that have chosen FieldTurf as its playing surface over the past eight years. BGSU will be the 29th NCAA Division IA school and sixth in the MAC to have FieldTurf installed in their home football stadium.
"We have long prided ourselves regarding the grass surface at Perry Stadium and it has served us well over the last 41 years," said Christopher. "The surface itself, which has never been replaced, is in outstanding shape and will be used at other facilities on campus. Our concern is with the condition of the existing drainage system, which also was installed in 1966, and we believe this change best serves the interests of our program."
"I would like to thank Jim Elsasser (Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations) and others for their work in leading to this decision," added Christopher. "Jim led a cross-campus team on a process that looked at all of our options related to fixing the Doyt's playing surface. As we examined the various choices, FieldTurf stood out as the best solution."
