Turf At ND Stadium

[jiggafini19]

Weis is concerned about the poor footing in Notre Dame Stadium, which seemed especially prevalent during the North Carolina game.

“It looked like a lot of people were slipping (against North Carolina),” Weis said. “When I watched it on tape, there were a lot of people falling down. I addressed it with the coaching staff and we’ll have to (check on) the kind of shoes we’re wearing as far as spike length and what’s allowed…Both teams were slipping and falling.”

The field has looked like crap for several seasons now. This isn't a USC 2005 or FSU 1993 "The Grass Is Too High" Conspiracy Theory, but the field looks bad.

You'd think with all that cash they could get some nice sod or astro play to put down.

Watch the Army game and look how many guys get up with grass in their facemasks.

Interesting.

 

[Pete]

The UNC game looked like they painted the grass green, I thought that the field was more brown for the UCLA game. At some point and time they might look into field turf, cheaper over the long haul.

 

[Irish Envy]

I made mention of this as well. I counted 7 slips, several on one play. Lambert also slipped on that long reception. It's time they've done something about it.

 

[WinOverAll08]

I was on the actual field a couple weeks ago, during the bye week. You wouldn't believe how soft it is to stand in, guys. It's very comfortable in shoes, but I can see how it is a major problem for cleats.

 

[tedwick]

I really hope they don't go turf. I mean, sure, it'll give better traction, but ND's had the money to put in turf for a looooong time. It's tradition. They'll play on the bluegrass until ND ceases to play football. It's the same reason they left up the old stadium and built around it, instead of tearing it down and making a new one like every other university. There wasn't really a logical reason to keep the old stadium, but they did. Tradition.

 

[KMac151993]

They should stick with natural grass...if they switch to astro or field turf I will be pissed. To me its something that is part of the game, deal with it. The tall grass didn't hurt Reggie Bush last year from running all over the place and it didn't hurt the UNC WR running 70 yards, he didn't slip. People falling down or slipping is part of the game...all in all I think the field is ok, I mean as good as can be for grass in South Bend this time of year.

 

[grantland]

I really hope they don't go turf. I mean, sure, it'll give better traction, but ND's had the money to put in turf for a looooong time. It's tradition. They'll play on the bluegrass until ND ceases to play football. It's the same reason they left up the old stadium and built around it, instead of tearing it down and making a new one like every other university. There wasn't really a logical reason to keep the old stadium, but they did. Tradition.

Look what happened when they did mess with the old stadium. 1997 was the first full season in the "new" stadium. I hate to think what would have happened if they had torn it down. We may have not won another game.

 

[Irish Envy]

You think top 10 athletes may not want to play here because of it?

 

[tedwick]

You think top 10 athletes may not want to play here because of it?

i think that that would probably play into the whole "either you get it or you don't" mantra. ND is tradition. It's the reason their endzones have diagonal lines. It's the reason it isn't "Bank of America Field at Notre Dame Stadium". It's the reason there aren't Jumbotrons. If the recruits want to play on turf, let them go to Boise State. The field at Notre Dame Stadium is hallowed ground. The moment it goes turf, it becomes just another field.

And yeah. If they tore down the house that rock built, we probably would have signed Davie to a 20 year extension : D

 

[jiggafini19]

Astro TURF and Astro PLAY are two different things.

The green concrete like that of The Vet in Philly? No.

The stuff that U of I has and several other schools have put in, including my alma mater, yes.

We play our home games on it at the HS level and I can tell you right now, the stuff is state of the art and I'll bet ND could get the best. It is nice and easy on the joints, which football players like a lot.

They'd at least better put some new natural grass down for spring. The field is absolutely brutal.

 

[Indydomer]

The stuff that U of I has and several other schools have put in, including my alma mater, yes.

I agree this stuff is awesome. The field is starting to get bad. We need a change. New grass or ASTRO PLAY.

 

[A2McGowan]

Turf at ND stadium? Kidding? That would be an absolute travesty.

 

[grantland]

i think that that would probably play into the whole "either you get it or you don't" mantra. ND is tradition. It's the reason their endzones have diagonal lines. It's the reason it isn't "Bank of America Field at Notre Dame Stadium". It's the reason there aren't Jumbotrons. If the recruits want to play on turf, let them go to Boise State. The field at Notre Dame Stadium is hallowed ground. The moment it goes turf, it becomes just another field.

And yeah. If they tore down the house that rock built, we probably would have signed Davie to a 20 year extension : D

Yep, and I think Rock had (or would have) something to do with it.

 

[absoluteirish59]

I really hope they don't go turf. I mean, sure, it'll give better traction, but ND's had the money to put in turf for a looooong time. It's tradition. They'll play on the bluegrass until ND ceases to play football. It's the same reason they left up the old stadium and built around it, instead of tearing it down and making a new one like every other university. There wasn't really a logical reason to keep the old stadium, but they did. Tradition.

Totally agree. Too many injuries with that field turf too.

 

[BigIrish]

The tall grass didn't hurt Reggie Bush last year from running all over the place and it didn't hurt the UNC WR running 70 yards, he didn't slip.

actually, both our cb and the wr slipped on that play. the wr just recovered quicker than we did.

 

[NDgettysburg]

Astro PLAY

This isn't that garbage they have at the Meadowlands, is it?

 

[Mattmags]

well, i figure both teams are dealing with it. players get to play on it every home game for 3+ years. they should eventually get accustomed to it, or at least prevent slips and falls in the future. I guess I'm a little more simplistic about it all. I would hate to see the grass go...

 

[IrishDon103]

I personally don't really like turf...

I'd take well cared for natural grass over any turf.

 

[Future Irish Grad]

Seriously!!! Why don't they at least get new turf so we wouldn't slip all the time!!! Half the time, there is big streak marks where the slid headfirst on the ground. They end up almost blinded with all that turf stuck in their facemasks!!!

 

[Pete]

Seriously!!! Why don't they at least get new turf so we wouldn't slip all the time!!! Half the time, there is big streak marks where the slid headfirst on the ground. They end up almost blinded with all that turf stuck in their facemasks!!!

Dude, I don't think you to use three explanation points all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[80domer]

grass

grass

Notre Dame Football belongs on grass. Tradtion, injury factor, and it just looks right.

 

[SIUIrish]

Call me old fashioned but I like the grass stains. You dont get that with the field turf.

 

[southbend62]

i think that that would probably play into the whole "either you get it or you don't" mantra. ND is tradition. It's the reason their endzones have diagonal lines. It's the reason it isn't "Bank of America Field at Notre Dame Stadium". It's the reason there aren't Jumbotrons. If the recruits want to play on turf, let them go to Boise State. The field at Notre Dame Stadium is hallowed ground. The moment it goes turf, it becomes just another field.

And yeah. If they tore down the house that rock built, we probably would have signed Davie to a 20 year extension : D

Amen! Amen! Amen! ND is tradition and should not go the way of other schools. Keep the blue grass and if recruits don't get it--they shouldn't be at ND. Cut the grass shorter if it's such problem--but keep it.

 

[NDgettysburg]

Call me old fashioned but I like the grass stains. You dont get that with the field turf.

 

[Pete]

Why does it have to be bluegrass? Bent grass grows better up north, it's what is used on northern golf courses.

 

[rattfink]

Why does it have to be bluegrass? Bent grass grows better up north, it's what is used on northern golf courses.

Also is the field heated, like Air Force and Green Bay?

 

[Handlebars]

Glad to see this being discussed. The slipping has been going on for some time. Glad to see Charley and staff are taking notice. I have no opinion on the solution: different shoes or different surface. I'm glad it is being examined.

 

[BGIF]

Glad to see this being discussed. The slipping has been going on for some time. Glad to see Charley and staff are taking notice. I have no opinion on the solution: different shoes or different surface. I'm glad it is being examined.

Now that there's one home game left in the season.

 

[jiggafini19]

Call me old fashioned but I like the grass stains. You dont get that with the field turf.

No, but sometimes you hit the ground and slide, causing tiny bits of rubber to fly eveywhere.

They have the Astro Play in Carbondale, don't they SIUIrish?

 

[KMac151993]

I hope we stick with real grass....although the new stuff looks better....football was meant to be played outside on real grass.