Field conditions at Ohio Stadium

[coastalbuck]

Not surprising at all that the paint lines and logos were visable after the sod was cut. Paint is very dangerous for a field and a hell of alot of care must be taken to use it without consequences, you'll have some anyway no matter what. You didn't see it with the new redo because the paint layer could not have penetrated the artifical base of the old Motz system. The paint could have contributed to the fields problems this year, although, probably in a minor fashon. Also, I don't think that film was 2002 this was done in 2000 and, as the pictures say, again in 2003. Video was probably early to mid 90's

 

[berrienbuck]

This picture from JD puts things in perspective as to what went wrong with the old turf. Pic is from 8/21/06 open practice

 

[tedginn05]

The turf during the open practice looked great to me. From a distance, for someone that doesn't know it was real grass, it looked artificial.

 

[smitty03]

Was it just me, or did the turf look absolutely horrible today? There were several spots on the field where the grass was completely dead. You often saw players kick up dirt and sod while making cuts. I wonder if the sod company will come in and replace it before the scUM game?

 

[Padraig]

I agree. It didn't look as bad as right before they had to replace it, but it looked pretty bad for only having had one game played on it before this game.

And it didn't look like it had much 'substance' to it, especially when Albert Dukes feet flew out from under him on Troy's low throw. Maybe he would have slipped anyway, but I thought it looked pretty slick on that particular play.

For what they spent on it mid-season, I just thought they'd have more for their money after only one game. (now 2)

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

You know, for a university that specializes in turf science our brand new field looks like shit. Two words for Christmas: Field turf.

 

[coastalbuck]

I was very dissapointed in how the field looked. Some of the ends of the big rolls of sod looked like they had not been watered and were dying. It would help to keep the band off the field more so we wouldn't have to look at the script O marched into the field. I believe they have sufficient practice fields that are lined and ready to practice on. I'll say it again and I've told many a coach this, A Game field is just that, a damn Game field! It's not a practice field, not a warmup field, not a run sprints field, not a run routes field, and not a band practice field! That being said, It still looked bad and I have to question how it is being taken care of.

Two words for Christmas: Field turf.

My two would be. Turf Management...

 

[Steve19]

That's a pretty serious criticism from someone who should know. I hope the coaching staff hears that.

 

[coastalbuck]

Not trying to point fingers here. There may well be some very good reasons for the way it looked. I have had big roll sod that did the same dying off at the ends of the rolls for a specific reason, it was damaged in transit. The exposed area of the roll dryed out on the truck and was near dead when layed, didn't really show up badly for a week or so. These things can happen but they need to be addressed, we'll see if they are. The sod farm replaced mine.

 

[CarmanOhio]

It would help to keep the band off the field more so we wouldn't have to look at the script O marched into the field. I believe they have sufficient practice fields that are lined and ready to practice on.

The band does NOT practice on the field. Not even the morning of the game. The only time the band is on the field is game day for pre-game, halftime and post-game. Script was performed during pre-game so that is why it was "on" the field. If you are suggesting the band should not march on the field at all I think there would be many irate fans, myself included. In the past I thought the grass fields held up to this usage, what is different this year? I do not know if the lower than average temperatures the past week have anything to do with it, you turf guys would know better than I.

As a former band member I just do not want to see the band blamed for this. Unless things have radically changed from when I was in band and then worked at the stadium that field is babied. No one is allowed on it prior to the teams warming up on game day. The turf guys were out there working on it everyday. I do not think that would have changed, would it?

 

[coastalbuck]

If the band doesn't practice on the field and the wear is from pregame, halftime, and postgame formations that is fine. I said it's a game field, the band is part of the game! I also meant the band shouldn't practice on the game field, neither should the team. Not slighting the band at all, I never would. The wear marks from the script OHIO seem to be excessive is all I was saying, again, if they are caused by game activities, so be it.

 

[buckeyefool]

If the band doesn't practice on the field and the wear is from pregame, halftime, and postgame formations that is fine. I said it's a game field, the band is part of the game! I also meant the band shouldn't practice on the game field, neither should the team. Not slighting the band at all, I never would. The wear marks from the script OHIO seem to be excessive is all I was saying, again, if they are caused by game activities, so be it.

Yeah they don't let anyone on there except during the pre-game, game and post game. They actually have barricades that they put up during the week to keep anyone who does get into the stadium off of it. The band practices in the parking lot or over in front of the towers last I knew. The team is never on the field until gameday....every other day they use the Woody Hayes

 

[CleveBucks]

The band uses the Field Turf field just south of the stadium to practice. I see them out there almost every day.

How sad is it when the band's field is nicer than the team's?

 

[CarmanOhio]

How sad is it when the band's field is nicer than the team's?

Well that is the practice field and the practice fields over at Woody Hayes are pretty nice as well. The problem is the game day field. I do not know what will happen after this year but this year is the worst year of grass that I can remember since 1990 when it was put in.

I by no means am a turf specialist, I can hardly get my grass mowed, but I imagine something has to have gone wrong this year. Did we drop the ball? Could it have been prevented? I have first hand witnessed how much time is spent on the field, why this year is so off is beyond me.

The condition of the field for The Game has me worried.

 

[Thump]

Field is dying looks like to me.

This field will resemble the Bengals field of a few years back unless they resod the field again after the Minnesota game, which I highly doubt.