Indiana University Athletics
FieldTurf To Be Installed at Memorial Stadium
7/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 16, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - FieldTurf, the world leader in artificial surfacing, made further inroads in the prestigious Big Ten Conference when it was selected by Indiana University for installation at Memorial Stadium. The announcement was made by IU Associate Athletic Director Jack Garrett and FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. The state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface will get its official debut on August 30 when the Hoosiers' football squad opens the 2008 season against Western Kentucky.
Indiana becomes the sixth Big Ten school to have FieldTurf as its official stadium surface, joining Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Additionally, Northwestern, Penn State and Purdue utilize FieldTurf as a football practice surface.
FieldTurf Tarkett have proposed installing a 2.5 inch DuraSpine Monofilament Turf. The total cost for removal of the old turf and installation of the new product is projected to be $406,680. Insurance will cover the majority of the expenses.
"We are very appreciative of the way in which the university has responded to our needs," said Associate Athletic Director Jack Garrett. "They have allowed us to expedite the process in order to provide our coaches and student athletes with a top of the line product in FieldTurf. For that we are very grateful."
The Hoosiers, who will play eight games this season in Memorial Stadium, will open up the 2008 campaign August 30 against Western Kentucky. Training camp will begin on August 4.
"Everyone's cooperation in the face of a very unique situation is much appreciated," said IU Head Football Coach Bill Lynch. "We look forward to a great season and to using our new state-of-the-art FieldTurf."
More than 50 major NCAA universities have FieldTurf in their stadiums...besides the Big Ten schools mentioned above, others with FieldTurf include Nebraska, West Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Boston College, Rutgers, Kansas State, Ball State, Louisville and Missouri. Twenty-one of the NFL's 32 teams use FieldTurf at their stadium and/or practice facility. In addition, MLB's Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays have FieldTurf at their respective stadiums.
"There's no question that the Big Ten is truly one of the nation's `power' conferences, and everyone at FieldTurf is excited to have yet another Big Ten school select our product," said Fields. "Coach Lynch is building upon the fine football program at Indiana, and we're thrilled to be on board as one of the cogs in the Hoosier football machine. I know that Coach Lynch and his players will find their new FieldTurf surface to be a considerable upgrade in terms of playability and safety, and we are confident that Hoosier fans will also find it to their liking."
