Memorial Stadium Renovation

They used to have one of each.  Now they'll only have grass.

Although, to be fair, it's possible that the new practice field (in conjunction with the new facility) will be turf.
That makes sense, two turf fields (one in Memorial Stadium, one in the indoor facility) and two grass fields in the outdoor practice area. Now they can grow one grass field to US Open length rough in preparation to play at Northwestern. 

 
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I saw something today, that all of the outdoor practice fields are going to grass now instead of turf.  Is there a chance that Memorial will go grass in the future, or is that just wishful thinking and reading way to much into the practice field update?


I wish.

Every 8 years, difficult to dispose of discarded turf.  Special landfill (expensive).  According to EPA, fake turf contains toxic chemicals, known to cause cancer.

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/new-studies-show-pfas-artificial-grass-blades-and-backing

Grass-like blades and the backing of artificial turf contain the highly toxic fluorinated chemicals. Exposed to chemicals in turf either from touching or swallowing the crumbled rubber pellets that make up the backing




2016-alm-naturalgrass-vs-artificial-surface-temps-hongkong.jpg



 




Joined elite schools like OU, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, USC, Vols, LSU, TCU, etc., etc., etc. .... all natural grass. Plus Big10, Penn State, Michigan St, NW and Purdue.  And tOSU? ..... schedule '24-'25 off-season, install from Field Turf surface to natural grass. NFL stadiums, majority of real grass surface like Arrowhead, Mile High, Lambeau Field, Soldiers and some more. Same thing as MLB.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34892255/rams-wr-cooper-kupp-all-nfl-games-played-grass

I miss nice odor, softer, cooler, less injuries, ......

 
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I wish.

Every 8 years, difficult to dispose of discarded turf.  Special landfill (expensive).  According to EPA, fake turf contains toxic chemicals, known to cause cancer.

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/new-studies-show-pfas-artificial-grass-blades-and-backing






 




Joined elite schools like OU, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, USC, Vols, LSU, TCU, etc., etc., etc. .... all natural grass. Plus Big10, Penn State, Michigan St, NW and Purdue.  And tOSU? ..... schedule '24-'25 off-season, install from Field Turf surface to natural grass. NFL stadiums, majority of real grass surface like Arrowhead, Mile High, Lambeau Field, Soldiers and some more. Same thing as MLB.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34892255/rams-wr-cooper-kupp-all-nfl-games-played-grass

I miss nice odor, softer, cooler, less injuries, ......
Lambeau Field is not all grass. It is a mixture of grass and artificial. 

 
Not doubting, but very curious as to how that works.


A lot of professional soccer facilities use a natural/artificial turf mix.  From what I understand the artificial turf (very short blades) is placed first, then you seed to grow the grass.  For any mowing you are just cutting the natural grass.  It is said to be much stronger than a traditional grass field, way less slippage and divots being taken while cutting.

I am actually surprised that Rhule didn't go with that when turning the practice fields to natural grass since he seems to be up on all the newest technologies.

As for how it works, I just googled and this was the first hit I got https://www.grassmax.com/hybrid-stitching

Looks like Jack Trice in Ames has it.

 
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The people that were allowed down on the field at Aviva Stadium in Dublin said it was the most immaculately manicured field they had ever seen. Like a putting green the size of a soccer field.

 
Sparty probably has the best fields in the B1G, I know they've been perfect when I've been there. Sparty has 2 and 4 year turf management programs. They won the 2005 and 2016 Majestic Football Field National Championship or something. 2016 has a tribute to Mike Sadler.

Any reason our East Campus tractor jockeys can't grow an acre and half of grass as nice as them?

 
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