Eastern Michigan installing gray turf at Rynearson Stadium
What do you do when you’re a school like Eastern Michigan, where on the field tradition is lacking and attention off it is scarce? Well, the Eagles athletic department is banking on throwing all tradition out the window as they announced on Thursday that they will be installing gray turf at Rynearson Stadium.
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Eastern Michigan is turning to FieldTurf Revolution to install its new football field in time for the Aug. 30 opener against FCS opponent Morgan State. So, when the Eagles take the field against the Bears, this is what the field will look like:
Eastern Michigan going with a gray football field. Thoughts? http://t.co/GdpnfArMh3 pic.twitter.com/zXAxulmTw3
— Chris Vannini (@CoachingBuzz) June 19, 2014
FieldTurf Revolution is the same company working with the New England Patriots, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Seattle Seahawks.
Of course, having a field that is colored anything but green isn’t exactly new. The Boise State Broncos made its blue turf famous years ago and since have gone from barely known to a nationally recognized football program. FCS power Eastern Washington has a completely red field as well.
For EMU, this move is all about demonstrating a furthered commitment to the football program in hopes of getting it out of the cellar of the MAC and FBS football in general.
"“Installing new top of the line FieldTurf in our stadium is one of many ways that our administration has demonstrated a real commitment to Eastern Michigan Football,” Head Football Coach Chris Creighton added. “The fact that they have embraced the idea of the field being concrete gray shows their courage and conviction in who we are and what we are all about. We cannot wait to represent Eastern Michigan University on our new turf this fall and for the years to come.”"
Nothing screams MACtion like playing a Tuesday night game in the dead of November on a concrete gray field, right?