New Turf on Cajun Field

[NOCajun]

_ I don't see why we would get field turf, we don't have problems with the real grass. I could see schools up North doing it because of the snow and such but we don't really need it down here, it seems to always be in good shape. I'd rather see that money go to something else. _

The main problem with the grass at CAJUN FIELD is that it looks like $h|t!!! There are high school stadiums in the New Orleans area with better looking fields than we have. The fact is, the field turf they're putting out now is so much better quality than the "astro-turf"-type crap they were putting out just 10 years ago that virtually everyone wants it. Another advantage to the field turf is that it won't turn into one giant mud whole every time it rains.

[rhineaux]

I can see the benefit of the turf, but I can also see the icky stuff too. Sure we might save some money on maintenance, but we are more or less stuck with the design for quite a while. Sure we might be able to host more games or practice on the field, but football should be played on grass in any and all conditions. Hell, when the World Cup was hosted by the US in '94, the US wanted to play games in the detroit silverdome, and fifa made them bring in real grass for it. If soccer won't accept anything less, then why should football

[NOCajun]

If you've ever even gotten to walk on a new field-turf field, you might be willing to change your mind. Also, some players I've talked to say they like it better as well. I understand what you're saying about grass, but the fact is, CAJUN FIELD looks worse every year. The stadium itself is one thing, but the field will never look right unless you replace the grass every single year, and NOBODY is going to to that.

[sethmw]

It should become a reality fairly soon. I sat next to Jerry Babb at the last home football game and he told me that the company that he works for already surveyed the field for the new turf. I think that it will look great and will be another aid to recruiting. The only thing about this that bothers me, is that we were a year behind ULM in doing this. I hate to follow in their footsteps.

[BrockMeaux]

I really hope we can get this done. Having been on Cajun Field and both the Superdome and STM turf, the turf is not only far more attractive but it feels better too. If we had a great grass field at Cajun Field, it would be one thing, but what we've got now generally looks bad most of the time and it's a very tough surface. A Field Turf would be a huge upgrade.

[RaisingCajun08]

_ I don't see why we would get field turf, we don't have problems with the real grass. I could see schools up North doing it because of the snow and such but we don't really need it down here, it seems to always be in good shape. I'd rather see that money go to something else. _

I agree with you 100%. Football was made to play on real grass. Field turf should only be considered in domes & teams playing up north where the field consistantly interferes with the outcome of the game.

Should we install turn on the baseball field also? Hell no!

[LifeTimeCajun]

Fellas you can do a whole lot of upgrade and maint. on turf for what it cost to install the field turf. I prefer seeing a natural playing surface, but that is my 2cents. For instance...the baseball field is as nice as anything around...not necessarily talking about the actual playing surface, but the grass etc.

[California Cajun]

_ I am somewhat of a football purist and feel that football is meant to be played on grass no matter the conditions, it's part of the game. Of course, I also believe that college football, like baseball, is meant to be played in the afternoon. I know that I am in the minority but to me that is the way it is supposed to be. With that being said, there are several advantages to field turf besides the obvious aesthetic and maintenance arguments. The fact that the field could be used for high school jamborees and games is an advantage. Any additional exposure to local high school athletes is very positive for recruiting. Also, laying field turf automatically gives the football team an additional practice field. This also provides the capability for the band to actually practice or do "walk thru's" on the field. I think one of the main factors in the decision will be in what type of field our opponents/conference mates have in the future. If the majority of our away games are on field turf than it may make sense to have it also for both the recruiting as well as the "familiarity" factor _

My only objection to natural grass is that our people haven't always made it look nice for every home game.

[BrockMeaux]

My only objection to natural grass is that our people haven't always made it look nice for every home game.

Exactly. If the field would look like a bowl game was about to be played on it for every event at the field, I'd be great with keeping the real grass. But aesthetically, the turf is much easier to maintain. If you were at the Showcase of Marching Bands this past November, you saw how terrible the field looked. The yard lines, hashes, center field logo, and endzone designs were barely visible, along with a few dying patches, all in front of 20,000 potential students and parents. They may not have noticed that it looked bad, but you always notice when a field looks NICE, and a turf could go a long way towards improving our university in that department.

[NOCajun]

_ I agree with you 100%. Football was made to play on real grass. Field turf should only be considered in domes & teams playing up north where the field consistantly interferes with the outcome of the game.

Should we install turn on the baseball field also? Hell no! _

HUGE difference. Natural grass on a baseball field doesn't get torn up anywhere near as much as on a football field. I don't remember the last time the Swamp didn't actually LOOK LIKE A SWAMP. CAJUN FIELD has had one of the worst looking playing surfaces I've seen anywhere for a long time and it's about time the University did something about it!!!

[CajunDreDog]

I heard we are getting field turf on cajun field. They will start taking up the old field in january. The endzones will be red.

Turf or not....I have been saying for SEVERAL years that our endzones should be RED!!!

Nice red endzone, with Louisiana in white, and Lafayette in red of course.

[USLJim]

_ I heard we are getting field turf on cajun field. They will start taking up the old field in january. The endzones will be red. _

First, let me say that I am for Progress but I don't think we need a new turf for football before Baseball gets their new surfacing done. I mean, Coach Robe has been waiting for this for over 2 years. Why can't we reward our winning programs with much needed repairs before venturing into something this expensive. My questions is, How will this effect Coach Robe getting his new turf, drainage and sprinkling system.

Geaux Cajuns