TURF - it's official

[SaltyND24]

Disagree. Real boobs >>>>> fake boobs.

I like your take on boobies and...

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm not so much anti-turf as I am pro-grass. I've given all my arguments and wish they had decided differently, but it is what it is. I don't think the artificial surface is an affront to the university or that Knute Rockne is rolling in his grave, I just prefer the old-school feel of grass and mud. This stuff looks nice and green and it's pretty in pictures but I'll miss images like this:

I will agree that, as a former lineman, the game is just more fun to be played in the grass and dirt/mud. Theres something about coming off a natural field, especially after a good rain, and you're covered in mud, sweat, and maybe some blood. The football gods do smile at such a sight. Grass and mud were fun at times, but it was also a BITCH to move opposing linemen when your feet were sliding. Practices sucked too on a natural field because they never took good care of it, so by the end of the season the field was often dry, hard, and devoid of grass in large spots...not very cushy when you're driving a 250+ lbs guy to the ground or getting pancaked yourself. The sad fact is that taking care of a natural turf in the Midwest is a bitch, especially if it's a particularly wet fall. Weak grass and poor footing don't make it easier to win in a Spread offense.

 

[wizards8507]

Weak grass and poor footing don't make it easier to win in a Spread offense.

Well, the spread offense is stupid too but that's another conversation. :stickoutt

Speaking of weather though, obviously you won't have issues with mud and sod coming loose anymore, but what does this stuff feel like when it's wet? Frozen?

 

[ulukinatme]

Disagree. Real boobs >>>>> fake boobs.

Most times yes, but not always. Sometimes the real ones can be a bit saggy, or one can be much larger than the other...what can I say, I've seen a lot of boobs.

 

[IRISHMAN]

I'm not so much anti-turf as I am pro-grass. I've given all my arguments and wish they had decided differently, but it is what it is. I don't think the artificial surface is an affront to the university or that Knute Rockne is rolling in his grave, I just prefer the old-school feel of grass and mud. This stuff looks nice and green and it's pretty in pictures but I'll miss images like this:

I agree. I'll miss the grass stains on the uniforms, I'll miss the chunks of grass in the face masks and the muddy games when it rains. the new field does look nice but im with you wizard i'll miss games like this.

 

[ulukinatme]

Well, the spread offense is stupid too but that's another conversation. :stickoutt

Speaking of weather though, obviously you won't have issues with mud and sod coming loose anymore, but what does this stuff feel like when it's wet? Frozen?

Yes, unfortunately the Spread has become the flavor of the era. Every football era sees a transition, and most teams seem to run the Spread these days. I prefer a power run game myself with PA passing, but it's gone in remission in the college game.

Can't say what an artificial field feels like in cold weather. I've only played on it twice, and it was during warmer, dry weather. I can't imagine it would be a whole lot different though.

 

[ulukinatme]

I agree. I'll miss the grass stains on the uniforms, I'll miss the chunks of grass in the face masks and the muddy games when it rains. the new field does look nice but im with you wizard i'll miss games like this.

On the plus side, Stanford still has grass since they can pull it off on the west coast, and I'm sure theres a few teams in the ACC that still support grass given their climate.

 

[fightingirish26]

On the plus side, Stanford still has grass since they can pull it off on the west coast, and I'm sure theres a few teams in the ACC that still support grass given their climate.

Umm have you ever seen Stanford's field in November? Probably worst in america

 

[wizards8507]

Umm have you ever seen Stanford's field in November? Probably worst in america

I think that was his point. We won't be totally cut off from seeing grass stains and mud and dirt clods in face masks (things we like) because we have opponents on our schedule who have kept the natural surface.

 

[fightingirish26]

I think that was his point. We won't be totally cut off from seeing grass stains and mud and dirt clods in face masks (things we like) because we have opponents on our schedule who have kept the natural surface.

I took it as him saying that the climate at Stanford and the ACC is condusive to grass, while Stanford is a clear counter example.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm not so much anti-turf as I am pro-grass. I've given all my arguments and wish they had decided differently, but it is what it is. I don't think the artificial surface is an affront to the university or that Knute Rockne is rolling in his grave, I just prefer the old-school feel of grass and mud. This stuff looks nice and green and it's pretty in pictures but I'll miss images like this:

That's been my position as well.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Is there anyone who's honestly still not a fan of the change to turf?

Looking at you Wizards, even though I know you've secretly moved from anti-turf to on board .

I was hoping ND would find a way to let the grass stay but it's not something I feel strongly about.

 

[ulukinatme]

On the plus side, Stanford still has grass since they can pull it off on the west coast, and I'm sure theres a few teams in the ACC that still support grass given their climate.

Umm have you ever seen Stanford's field in November? Probably worst in america

I think that was his point. We won't be totally cut off from seeing grass stains and mud and dirt clods in face masks (things we like) because we have opponents on our schedule who have kept the natural surface.

What ^ guy said

I took it as him saying that the climate at Stanford and the ACC is condusive to grass, while Stanford is a clear counter example.

It's more conducive to grass since they're on the west coast, but any team with a natural surface can struggle with field conditions given game day weather and what not. Sometimes you only get a week to try and reverse damage to a field and that's certainly not enough time for even small patches of replaced grass to take root. I think some ground crews are better than others too. When you look at what teams in college football still use natural grass it's almost all SEC teams and PAC-12 teams at this point, and a lot of that has to do with the climate in those conferences of course.

 

[BobbyMac]

They could have made it work... if they hired the Sodfather, Roger Bosard to over see the program but even with a perfectly constructed and maintained field, you still have the new gen of players wanting to play of synturf. Once you get on it it feels like the first time you played on a suspended basketball court vs. a play ground. USC had rave reviews about my high school's field last year when they stayed in MC to play the Irish.

The opportunity cost was too high to keep real grass.

 

[dshans]

He'll be happy he can finally retire

Sure, but there would have been no "Rudy." Would flipping burgers at The Huddle had the same allure and romance for a movie?

Just think of all the groundskeeper jobs lost to:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PSxihhBzCjk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I suppose that this is a morality play in the vein of:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/i4SurKqVAAI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Just think of the possibilities. ND could be The Fighting Bill or George. The Fighting Sue or Sioux wouldn't be quite right. Or more "politically correct."

Life goes on. Plastic is, for now, the wave of the future ...

 

[peoriairish]

With Shamrocks:

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Honestly my only concern with having FieldTurf is ACL injuries. I know that most every other school has turf anyway, but now we have 7 games on our schedule where an ACL injury is more likely.

 

[dshans]

I actually think IE is batting 1,000%.

What you say, Wizard?

Wizard be damned!

My response to "The Board" batting in lockstep is "Nope, Nope Nope."

It is what it is and the game and life will go on, monofilament polyethylene blend fibers tufted into a polypropylene backing or not. Something newer and more exotic is just down the pike no doubt.

Hell, I'd be inclined to give a thumbs up to a surface woven from silk worm threads. At least it would be "natural" and breathe.

 

[IrishLax]

Honestly my only concern with having FieldTurf is ACL injuries. I know that most every other school has turf anyway, but now we have 7 games on our schedule where an ACL injury is more likely.

I don't think there is any evidence that the newest generation of grade A field turf leads to more injuries. And even if it did, we practice on turf anyways, so this only increases live reps on turf by maybe 2-5%.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I don't think there is any evidence that the newest generation of grade A field turf leads to more injuries. And even if it did, we practice on turf anyways, so this only increases live reps on turf by maybe 2-5%.

True. But from what I've read, the injury rate can be anywhere from 8-10x more likely on turf when comparing competition v. practice.

I can't speak to the different generations of turf from year to year.

 

[micks60]

True. But from what I've read, the injury rate can be anywhere from 8-10x more likely on turf when comparing competition v. practice.

I can't speak to the different generations of turf from year to year.

This has been argued by many medical journals. Many support field turf as safer. The rationale is that it is a consistent surface. Many of the studies done saying it increases injuries is under perfect conditions.

 

[Irish8248]

Honestly my only concern with having FieldTurf is ACL injuries. I know that most every other school has turf anyway, but now we have 7 games on our schedule where an ACL injury is more likely.

I suspect you'll be hit with the "injury prevention" posts that were discussed prior to selecting turf, and they may be right, but this is my only complaint about field turf. I played on natural grass my whole life until I got to college. We had state of the art field for 2004 standards (we had the buffalo bills in training camp so it was installed to their requirements) and I've never seen more ACL injuries in my life. They were brutal too. Knees twisted at 90 degrees, making a player look like a murder scene outline. It could have been a result of field turf or maybe just the competition was more aggressive, but it was like seeing a whole new side of football.

That being said, I prefer field turf over natural 90% of the time. I do miss the mud bowls natural grass provides and the awesome feeling of pulling grass out of your face mask.

 

[dshans]

I've bee incommunicado for two weeks attending to gathering with family on a lake in the Adirondaks (upstate NY for those not in the know), a matter of import much greater than IE and all its attendant weirdos.

Skimming through posts I saw that I was drafted to captain some sort of team. I think its connected to this thread. I may be wrong but I sure as hell am not going to further waste time on "research."

I'll bastardize and mangle two quotes in response:

"I refuse to join any team that would have me as a captain." – Groucho Marx and "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for a term as your coach." – LBJ

Besides, as I remember it, schoolyard, backyard and any other pick-up games protocol called for the respective captains to alternate choices from the available players. This unwritten (but sacrosanct) rule has been shamelessly ignored here. In good conscience I cannot participate.

Besides, as "the little guy" I was usually picked last. The psychological scars remain.




I was, however, usually chosen first for the Grammar Bee team.

 

[ND NYC]

does anyone know what nfl team(s) use the same exact type of turf/same company installing it?

 

[Irish8248]

does anyone know what nfl team(s) use the same exact type of turf/same company installing it?

FieldTurf is the company, though I'm not sure what the exact specs or quality used at ND was. Here's a list of notable installs from FieldTurf

List of FieldTurf installations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[NCND]

does anyone know what nfl team(s) use the same exact type of turf/same company installing it?

It's called "Revolution FieldTurf" Missouri, maryland, arizona and Ohio state just installed in this summer. Looks really good.. especially Arizona's.

 

[garyasher]

Here are some pics of when the Bears played the Vikings at the UofM after the roof on the roller dome collapsed.
My favorite photos from Vikings vs. Bears at TCF Bank Stadium |

 

[Irish8248]

This company fulfills the MSU offer requirement as well, apparently they installed their field as well.

 

[ulukinatme]

True. But from what I've read, the injury rate can be anywhere from 8-10x more likely on turf when comparing competition v. practice.

I can't speak to the different generations of turf from year to year.

8-10x more likely? Who did the testing/data research on this, ND Nation? I could see ACL injuries being up 8-10x more if our team was playing on say...super glue. They say the greater the traction, the higher the possibility for injuries. However, the kind of cleat you wear also plays a big part as some cleats are made especially for artificial surfaces. In truth, there's no definitive answer right now about Field Turf causing more ACL injuries. There have been studies that have contradicted each other: some say more injuries, some say less injuries all together.

I can bet you though that if Field Turf was causing 8-10x more ACL injuries on average, schools would start pulling it pretty quick. ACL injury is a season ending injury, as oppose to 1-2 games for a minor ankle issue. Losing starters for an entire season is more detrimental than having some skill players slide around when the weather is bad. You don't see teams going back to grass these days though, but you do see more teams adopting artificial surfaces. That should tell you what you need to know.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

8-10x more likely? Who did the testing/data research on this, ND Nation? I could see ACL injuries being up 8-10x more if our team was playing on say...super glue. They say the greater the traction, the higher the possibility for injuries. However, the kind of cleat you wear also plays a big part as some cleats are made especially for artificial surfaces. In truth, there's no definitive answer right now about Field Turf causing more ACL injuries. There have been studies that have contradicted each other: some say more injuries, some say less injuries all together.

I can bet you though that if Field Turf was causing 8-10x more ACL injuries on average, schools would start pulling it pretty quick. ACL injury is a season ending injury, as oppose to 1-2 games for a minor ankle issue. Losing starters for an entire season is more detrimental than having some skill players slide around when the weather is bad. You don't see teams going back to grass these days though, but you do see more teams adopting artificial surfaces. That should tell you what you need to know.

Source below. Again this is just one study that I read a few weeks back. Took a little bit to find it. It also was notably using injuries from turf back in 2009, so I'm not sure if that is "first generation" or not.

Study Reveals Higher ACL Tear Rates On Artificial Turf vs. Grass Fields | SidelineSportsDoc Blog – The Source For Sideline Injury Management