Bucknell Installs FieldTurf in Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
5/22/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
May 22, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. --- The next time Bucknell University football players step on the field of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, they will be working out on a new artificial turf.
Construction crews have begun the two-month process of installing FieldTurf on the playing surface of Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, according to John Hardt, Bucknell's director of athletics. The new playing surface is a result of a gift from Norm '63 and Mary Lou `64 Garrity. In addition to covering the cost of this project, the Garrity's gift also endowed the Head Football Coach position in honor of Coach Bob O'Dell, who coached the Bison from 1958-64.
"Given the limitations due to our climate and the need to maximize the use of the stadium with the loss of the East Field for the new Recreation and Athletics Center, we examined artificial surfaces that could get us closest to the properties of grass," Hardt commented. "We looked at numerous products over the past five months and determined that a synthetic surface with a sand/rubber in-fill best met our needs. The generosity of the Garrity's will have an immediate effect on our athletics programs."
FieldTurf is the latest innovation in artificial playing surfaces and to date is the closest product to real grass, according to Hardt. The Canadian company's manufacturing headquarters are in Dalton, Ga. Bucknell is one of a handful of Division I schools to install FieldTurf as a full-time playing surface in a football stadium, including the University of Nebraska, University of Washington, Tulane University, Washington State University and the University of Oregon.
"Over my entire coaching career, there has not been an artificial surface available that would be in the best interests of our program," said Tom Gadd, the Bob O'Dell Head Football Coach, "However, with the advent of FieldTurf, I have talked to several other coaches and feel very comfortable in saying this state-of-the-art surface is a great enhancement for our football program."
"We are very excited at the prospect of having more collegiate athletes play on our fields," said Ray Battistel, Regional Sales Manager of Turf USA - distributors for FieldTurf. "We are proud to be associated with a school with the reputation of Bucknell University and look forward to showcasing the finest playing surface available to more athletes in central and eastern Pennsylvania."
The 2.5-inch natural-feeling blades of FieldTurf are a combination of polyurethane and polypropylene and rest on a 200,000 pound base of cryogenically-ground scrap rubber and silica sand. The rubber is comprised of recycled tires and Nike shoes. The blades are resistant to extremes in temperature and have an ultraviolet protection to help resist fading. The new surface, which is insured for eight years by Lloyds of London, is capable of draining 60-70 inches of water per hour. The field is maintained by performing periodic motorized sweeping. While no crown is needed, a slight crown will be installed to prevent the illusion of a concave field.
Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, originally built in 1924 and renovated in 1989, will be the permanent home for football, men's lacrosse and men's and women's track and field. Photos of the construction process will be posted on the Bucknell Athletic Department web site on a daily basis at http://bucknellbison.fansonly.com/genrel/052201aab.html.