Sports Turf

[Blueintheface]

I was rewatching the BYU/Oklahoma game and I had a question that I'm sure has been answered before but I may can't seem to recall: Any reason why BYU didn't decide to go with the new stuff in their field remodel last year? I know the running joke is to keep the grass long and wet the field to slow the faster kids down but what is the real reason? Is this the real reason? Too expensive? Player preference? Administation's preference?

In watching that game I can see that BYU played exceptionally well on the synthetic surface and speed didn't seem to affect them at all. The Tulane game was also another great example albeit against an inferior opponent. Will we have to wait another 25 years to see a "faster" surface in Provo?

(Incidentally, it has NOTHING to do with why BYU has struggled at home, I was just wondering and yes I realize that the grass is new and has yet to take root)

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I think most BYU fans are pretty traditional and would have been upset at field turf. Simply a guess.

[Art Vandelay]

I think most BYU fans are pretty traditional .

Wrong forum, they are discussing that stuff over in the forum this week.

[falafel]

Lots of people still use regular turf, I've noticed (this doesn't answer your question, I know). Penn State. The Steelers. Michigan, Ohio State.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Wrong forum, they are discussing that stuff over in the forum this week.

That thread is getting that specific? Maybe I do need to read it. I bet waup is in heaven.

[Hot Lunch]

Lots of people still use regular turf, I've noticed (this doesn't answer your question, I know). Penn State. The Steelers. Michigan, Ohio State.

Michigan has gone to field turf.

[Hot Lunch]

From what I understand Bronco won't go to field turf. He is a "traditionalist" i guess.

Field turf is preferred by most of the players. If you have played on both, you would prefer field turf as well.

[pelagius]

Michigan has gone to field turf.

Ohio State is field turf too ... I think 3 years ago is when they changed.

[falafel]

Ohio State is field turf too ... I think 3 years ago is when they changed.

I'm so embarrassed. But the Steelers have grass!

[Blueintheface]

Ohio State is field turf too ... I think 3 years ago is when they changed.

And so the dominoes keep falling. I know fields are supposed to be turned every 7 years so any chance this next rotation that we see an "artificial augmentation"? I'm an ass man myself but nothing wrong with a little self improvement IMO.

[falafel]

I'm an ass man myself but nothing wrong with a little self improvement IMO.

How's the service station business, Dick?

[Indy Coug]

IIRC, BYU had issues with the field turf on their practice fields getting too "tacky" in hot temperatures. There may have been other issues too, but they weren't happy with its performance.

[Hot Lunch]

IIRC, BYU had issues with the field turf on their practice fields getting too "tacky" in hot temperatures. There may have been other issues too, but they weren't happy with its performance.

Does Unlv have the same issues? Maybe so, based on the way they play ball down there.

I also don't think it is that much warmer in Provo then it is in Salt Lake. It doesn't seem to effect the Utes lately.

[Indy Coug]

Does Unlv have the same issues? Maybe so, based on the way they play ball down there.

I also don't think it is that much warmer in Provo then it is in Salt Lake. It doesn't seem to effect the Utes lately.

I don't know what the Utes or UNLV think about it, I just know that BYU used field turf on their outdoor practice fields for a couple of years and didn't like it.

[Indy Coug]

Here's a report on surface temperatures.

http://aces.nmsu.edu/programs/turf/d...oung-study.pdf

Synthetic turf surfaces have long been regarded as a lower maintenance alternative to natural turf. However, synthetic surfaces like natural turf have their shortcomings. In the spring of 2002 a Field Turf synthetic surface was installed on one half of Brigham Young University’s Football Practice Field. The other half of the installation is a sand-based natural turf field. Shortly after the Field Turf was installed football camps were started. The coaches noticed the surface of the synthetic turf was very hot. One of the coaches got blisters on the bottom of his feet through his tennis shoes.