BK: Field Turf is Coming

dshans

They call me The Dribbler
Messages
9,624
Reaction score
1,181
Mixed feelings here. Think they'll transport some of the sod? Wasn't the original grass taken from Cartier Field where the first games were played?

While I prefer natural vegetation, I do have an asphalt driveway and concrete sidewalks and steps. Time marches on.

Should the natural turf be removed, I imagine that big bucks could be made selling it. Who wouldn't want a tuft of ND stadium grass as a centerpiece on their dining room table?
 

Zwidmanio

Active member
Messages
203
Reaction score
42
Is it field turf? Or is it that synthetic stuff that the Packers have thats half grass half turf... Thats what I want.

I agree. While I don't consider myself a "traditionalist," I do prefer the aesthetics of natural grass and I believe that natural grass might be safer for the players as well (although I realize this is debatable). Something needed to be done and I think the hybrid turf seems like the perfect solution.
 

irish1958

Príomh comhairleoir
Messages
1,039
Reaction score
112
Good. How long does a process like this take? The actual installing of the field turf that is.

Well, the Empire State Bldg took less than a year, and the Pentagon was even faster. I guess it depends.
 

TheChosen1

New member
Messages
2,754
Reaction score
113
One of the coolest thing I ever did was when I was on the field I grabbed some grass and dirt and kept it and when I build my house im throwing down some of it so that my house will be built on grass from Notre Dame Stadium
 

MPClinton22

Well-known member
Messages
907
Reaction score
1,180
NDNation is starting to implode. It's glorious. One of my favorites:

"Because field turf was Kelly's decision? It shouldn't be, but either way, if anyone should be fired over this it's Swarbrick."

Yes, let's fire our AD who has been working wonders because he is upgrading our facilities. WOOHOO
 

NYMIKE6

YEAH I GOT THE SHAKES
Messages
1,383
Reaction score
97
This is awesome.... now i'm going to blast the games on saturdays walk of my balcony door to the condo bare foot and close my eyes as i wiggle my toes in the fake grass carpet.... "All while thinking i'm at the 50yd line"

Heres to field turf!!!!!!!

Wow that post ^^^^^was put together so much better in my head....

Thats what a bottle of Pinot Noir paired with fillet will get you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Nothingman

The man who sold the world.
Messages
263
Reaction score
70
Superman's reaction to the news. Apparently he's a traditionalist.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C7dlwseXVn0?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

IrishYYC

GO IRISH
Messages
367
Reaction score
8
Great news! Now hopefully the jumbotron is next.

It's too bad it won't be installed and ready for this season but regardless this is great for Notre Dame.
 

Rhode Irish

Semi-retired
Messages
7,057
Reaction score
900
No. They would have to tear up the whole field install a new drainage system repack the ground for a good foundation then lay the new turf. That will take more than a month to do.

The company doing ND's field may be different, but the Patriots replaced their grass field with turf in less than two weeks (I believe over an away game weekend) in 2006.
 

chubler

Active member
Messages
386
Reaction score
34
Please no suites. We have enough money as it is, and theres something beautiful about every single person in the stadium sitting on the same awful benches... We don't need to create an upperclass and a lowerclass within the stadium IMO. Also theyd block even more of touchdown jesus. Turf=good. but lets not go bananas and get rid of everything that separates a gameday at ND from gameday at any Big 10 school with a lot of tradition just to keep up with the joneses. Turf hell yes, jumbotron im fine without, suites hell no.
 

NDdomer2

Local Sports vBookie
Messages
17,050
Reaction score
3,875
When coach Kelly says "Swarbrick has more in mind to create homefield advantage" you better believe he means jumbotron. They have introduced video boards in nearly every other athletic venue on campus. Don't think they haven't been using them as a pilot.
 

NDButlerU

New member
Messages
8
Reaction score
2
I know theres none so far in here that are 100% against turf. But, will someone please tell me what the difference between what we have and this is, other than the lack of spots of non-grass lol.

Galesburg Groundskeeper: A trip to Lambeau Field - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail

Is this the stuff we will be getting though, for sure? I love the looks of it, and would absolutely be in favor. However I am not in favor of the other FieldTurf, like Michigan and Boston College has. Label me a "traditionalist" or whatever you want, but I just think it looks tacky.
 

JadeBrecks

MO&#923;&#937;N &#923;ABE
Messages
4,982
Reaction score
371
I just got all giddy I had to ask. Sorry for the dumb question, I will take a lap.

Don't best yourself up. You won't learn unless you ask.
Rhode Irish you are right. It could be done if they really wanted to but you are probably talking multiple shifts running some good overtime. If i were to bet my money i would put it on after the spring game.
 
G

Grahambo

Guest
People who complain about it are old dogs. Keep up with technology today or you will get passed by. Well, ND has been passed by and now are playing catch up. Better late then never.
 

rocket66

New member
Messages
1,457
Reaction score
89
That NDnation article was hilarious. It's pretty simple for me - I want the the players playing on the same type of surface they practice on every day.
 

bert2834

Best Bert EVER!!!!
Messages
1,611
Reaction score
51
He also said, with the way it is now, the stadium is kind of like the basilica to some players. They get awed by it cause they are only in there on gameday. With the new turf they would be able to practice there. making the players more comfortable.
 
B

Bogtrotter07

Guest
Yeah, it's funny how the article doesn't address a homogeneous set of playing surfaces, cost factors, and home field advantage. That article never hit the big three!
 

IndyIrishFan1

New member
Messages
452
Reaction score
32
When coach Kelly says "Swarbrick has more in mind to create homefield advantage" you better believe he means jumbotron. They have introduced video boards in nearly every other athletic venue on campus. Don't think they haven't been using them as a pilot.

Great point. I went to a hockey game last winter and the sound system and video screens in there were top-notch. Hopefully Swarbrick builds off of that.
 

Patulski

www.ndnation.com
Messages
878
Reaction score
138
"Kelly’s thinking is, when you never get in the stadium for practice, it becomes “almost like the Basilica to the players” and erodes home-field advantage because of the awe factor."

Leahy, Ara and Holtz never had this problem, though they rarely practiced in the stadium and had far worse practice and locker room facilities. That's because the "awe factor" came from being more physical, disciplined teams. They beat the crap out of teams, and didn't make excuses when they lost.

I'm beginning to see Kelly as an excuse maker, who is more of a carnival barker than a coach worthy of Notre Dame's great tradition. I believe Swarbrick and Notre Dame's administration are culpable as well. While we can't produce on the field, we sell externialties (piped in music/numerous uniforms/field turf/possible Jubotron) as marketing gimmick solutions.

As we saw with the USC game-the "Crazy Train" game- no external gimmick can replace hard hitting and disciplined football. The same is going to happen with field turf. Better, more disciplined teams are going to beat us just as surely as they have on natural turf.

I'm sure there will be other excuses and gimmicks coming, as we continue this slow decline from the greatest college football program to a marketing sideshow.
 

Chamellion

New member
Messages
600
Reaction score
46
That's a lot to get out of such a small quote.

If you think the ship is sinking then bail. But we'll make it to port safe and sound.
 
B

Bogtrotter07

Guest
Personally, I think Jumbotrons should be banned from college athletics. Pros are fine, because it is all entertainment anyways. So you know where I stand.

But Patulski, you better watch out for muddling* the waters with your own personality. I think Kelly has his finger on the pulse of his players wants and needs. I have never seen Kelly not take responsibility for his actions. In fact, in modern atheltics, where having a chest for it is a big thing, I find Kelly and his staff quite refreshing.

If you don't see a team that plays harder on both side of the ball than it has since Lou reigned, you and I aren't watching the same things. Now, for what all the unimmaginative or the most closed down among us have missed. College football has changed since Lou was here. Specifically since he won his NC. That was part of his problem, and why he ended up leaving. Some games our Irish, who are student athletes, because ND plays by the book, face next-to professional players and teams. And we expect to compete with them? A few things we need to do to get certain athletes, and a few things we need to do to maintain moralle. That is all. I don't see where Kelly is trying to do more.

* I made it up. My kids do in in creeks, streams, and lakes all the time so they can't see their feet.
 

Bobias

Active member
Messages
287
Reaction score
59
It's seems to me that with almost 5 weeks until the first home game that there is a distict possibility that this could get done by then. I mean, it takes 4-6 weeks from scratch to put it in, but ND already has a well maintained playing surface to build on which should signifcantly reduce the time it takes to complete. Not to mention that they might already have the field ready to be ripped up and replaced with all of the field turf sightings and construction sighting that we have seen at the stadium this off season. I dunno, I'm just really wanting this to be in by this season and think that its not as unrealistic as people think
 
Top