KALAMAZOO, Mich. ? The Western Michigan Athletic Department and the Bronco football program announced that the turf in Waldo Stadium will be replaced with FieldTurf and will be ready for use for the home opener against Toledo on Sept. 9.
“The decision was made to move to installing field turf after an extensive University Committee review from the different venders. The funding for this project is being funded by pulling together various resources to make this investment to our football program and to ensure a safe and competitive environment for our student-athletes to successfully compete. The resources are from the athletic department field replacement reserve account that was established at the time of the first turf installation of Waldo and the Seelye Center. The balance of the quick non-public fund raising program back stopped by deferred maintenance funds is necessary,” commented WMU Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard.
FieldTurf is the result of years of research - evident in the patented FieldTurf infill mix of silica sand and cryogenic rubber and patented layering process that deliver a system that emulates natural grass. Additional benefits are found in improved player safety, reduced maintenance costs and flexibility for conversion - allowing stadium managers to quickly change the field from one sport to another or to easily host a variety of sporting events, concerts and other special events directly on top of the FieldTurf surface.
“It really came down to a safety issue for our student-athletes and we are happy to know that our players will be able to go out and compete on a surface they feel comfortable with every time out on the field. We are very excited to be associated with FieldTurf, a leader in the industry,” said head coach Bill Cubit.
Twenty-two of the 32 National Football League stadiums utilize the FieldTurf playing surface, including the home of the Detroit Lions, Ford Field. The Broncos played at Ford Field this past November, defeating Eastern Michigan, 44-36. The Mid-American Conference championship game is also played at Ford Field annually.
FieldTurf is a major player in college football. It is currently the chosen playing surface of 25 NCAA Division I-A football venues, including the University of Michigan and four MAC institutions ? Eastern Michigan, Miami, Northern Illinois and Ohio.
The project will get underway May 1 and has a scheduled completion date of July 15.
