New Turf on Cajun Field

[Cajun90]

While this turf is an improvement over the old astro-turf, it's still, according to many players who've played on it, harder on the knees than grass. With all of the improvements needed, I would think that this wouldn't be a priority or even a necessity. I pray that they don't use this rubber grass as a new baseball field.

This is a necessity for a number of reasons. Number one is that the players want it. For the 08' season every SBC team except FIU & FAU will have turf installed. It will also help with consistency of play. I've read a lot of info on the Turf and no one has correlated a higher injury rate with the Turf.

Same goes for baseball. Consistent play and a lot of the players who have played on the surface really like it. Tulane has it installed and Lamar is currently installing it.

I know it isn't traditional but when add up the fact that the players want it, reduced maintenance cost, consistent play, and reducing rainouts it is hard to argue against it.

[RaisingCajun08]

_ One thing for certain about Cajun fans. They are never satisfied with improvement or non improvement. Go figure! _

Amen!

[RaginFan2]

One thing for certain about Cajun fans. They are never satisfied with improvement or non improvement. Go figure!

Man, you got THAT right! I guess that's why we're called RAGIN' Cajuns! Always ragin' about something...

[AstroCajun]

One thing for certain about Cajun fans. They are never satisfied

Simplified it for you.

[Rebel02]

I don't like this. Too many NFL and college teams are now going that route. I prefer seeing football played on an actual grass field rather than a hard, artificial surface.

Besides, that will only hurt us against the speed of Middle Tenn.

Yea, it certainly hurt us this past year when we beat Middle on their field. Yea, they have field turf there.

[California Cajun]

I don't like this. Too many NFL and college teams are now going that route. I prefer seeing football played on an actual grass field rather than a hard, artificial surface.

Besides, that will only hurt us against the speed of Middle Tenn.

I'm fine with natural grass, except that UL didn't keep the field decorated to the same quality for all the games. You have to repaint every game to look good after all the punishment it takes during a game, especially when there's rain.

With the artificial surface, if it is OK for the players, the field looks the same every game. It isn't hard like the original AstroTurf.

[California Cajun]

I hope they also put some artificial turf in the upper endzone areas where they never seem to cut the grass. It always looks unkept. This way, they would never have to cut grass anywhere inside the stadium.

I kinda wonder if it would make it look like Disneyland or a miniature golf course if there was artificial turf in the bowl area. If something needs to be done to improve its looks, I'd rather see seating in the endzones than spending money trying to manipulate wasted space. Maybe a luxury area or athletic dorms overlooking the stadium, which might really excite recruits. Or creating a luxury area on the student side and seating in the endzones to get the seating capacity back to what it was before. In other words, something other than cosmetic that might serve a purpose one day.

What if someone volunteered to cut the grass in the end zones prior to games? I see this as something that's not hard to do.

[Cajunsmike]

I'm fine with natural grass, except that UL didn't keep the field decorated to the same quality for all the games. You have to repaint every game to look good after all the punishment it takes during a game, especially when there's rain.

With the artificial surface, if it is OK for the players, the field looks the same every game. It isn't hard like the original AstroTurf.

Technology has made these new artificial turf fields as good as grass when it comes to preventing injury. I play softball on a version of this at Pelican Park and it is fine. Improvements have made them even better. That is no longer a concern.

[USLJim]

_ I don't like this. Too many NFL and college teams are now going that route. I prefer seeing football played on an actual grass field rather than a hard, artificial surface.

Besides, that will only hurt us against the speed of Middle Tenn. _

Excuse me, We beat Middle Tennessee last year, I know I saw the come from Behind massacre in the second half from the 20 yard line. Didn't see MT outrun us.
Geaux Cajuns

[Big Buds]

Does anyone remember the hedges in the back of the end zones? Against the concrete wall? For some reason I remember that as a kid. I think it would be cool if we could brick up more of the stadium and put some hedges around the field. I also thought if the practice field had a brick wall it would look great.

Just my thoughts, I truly love this University.