MISSOULA, MONTANA (8/16/08) - The University of Montana will
replace the synthetic playing surface in Washington-Grizzly Stadium this
summer. The move will allow Sprinturf, the manufacturer, to install the
latest technology offered by the company.
Removal of the old surface begins Monday, July 21, and the new
field will be ready for play by Sept. 1. The first home football game
for the Grizzlies is Saturday, Sept. 13, versus Southern Utah.
UM Athletic Director Jim O'Day said the University originally
intended to replace the surface in time for the 2010 season. However,
the deal offered by Sprinturf to update immediately was too attractive
to turn down, even though there is one year of warranty remaining on the
original field, which was installed in 2001. The new field will have
another eight-year warranty.
"After seven football seasons and an unbelievable amount of use,
this will be a welcome addition to our student-athletes and the fans,"
O'Day said. "Knowing that we had one more year of warranty left on the
current contract, and with the stadium floor starting to show its age,
we decided this was a good decision."
He said the new surface will give UM a head start on the latest
technology being offered and give the Grizzlies an excellent playing
surface for the next eight to 10 years.
"Just like any carpet, these products need to be replaced
periodically," O'Day said. "Although testing showed that the surface was
still safe, we could not guarantee we would get beyond this season. We
have to look out for the best interests of our student-athletes, and
this will allow us to do so."
UM was one of the first universities to use the Sprinturf
product, and Washington-Grizzly Stadium has served as an endorsement for
much of that company's collegiate sporting arena advertising efforts.
UM's original Sprinturf field hosted 59 UM home football games,
as well as contests featuring the Missoula Phoenix semi-professional
football team, periodic local high school games and the "Little Grizzly
Jamboree." In addition, regional lacrosse tournaments have been played
in the stadium, and the Rolling Stones played a concert there in 2006.
Most Grizzly football practices and scrimmages also take place in the
stadium.
The University's signature grizzly logo will remain in the
middle of the new field, and the end zones will be maroon, while the
"MONTANA" and "GRIZZLIES" lettering in the end zones will be
silver/gray. The new turf will consist of Sprinturf's Ultrablade DF
fabric.
"Sprinturf Ultrablade DF is the ideal choice for a multiuse
field because the playability is much like that of natural grass in
pristine conditions," said Bruce Cheskin, senior vice president
responsible for product development and safety at Sprinturf. "The
all-rubber infill provides firm footing yet quick release and turn
action while still ensuring that (surface hardness is) well below the
guidelines of the Synthetic Turf Council in regards to concussions and
injury. Athlete safety is our No. 1 priority." Sprinturf recently
announced that it has been named the official turf supplier for the
Kansas City Chiefs and has contracted to provide a synthetic turf
football field at the new Harry S. Truman Sports Complex.
Sprinturf customers include the Philadelphia Eagles, The
University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, The U.S. Naval Academy and many others
worldwide. The company is the exclusive synthetic turf provider of the
National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. For more
information, visit http://www.Sprinturf.com.