FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sflzman]

Josh Brehm was an honorary captain for the MHSFCA all-star game yesterday.  I don't know if any of you caught it on TV, but I was really immpressed how the game looked from a television aspect in a stadium that isn't built to house TV crews for games.  Overall the presentation by Alma (in the actual stadium with the videoboard, etc.) and the FS Detroit crew was top notch

[formerd3db]

Josh Brehm was an honorary captain for the MHSFCA all-star game yesterday.  I don't know if any of you caught it on TV, but I was really immpressed how the game looked from a television aspect in a stadium that isn't built to house TV crews for games.  Overall the presentation by Alma (in the actual stadium with the videoboard, etc.) and the FS Detroit crew was top notch

Indeed, it was nice to see the game played at Alma College to showcase one of our MIAA schools.  However, I was disappointed in the crowd attendance as it seemed to be rather small - from a "general glance", at least it appeared much less than it has been in the past.  That game used to be played in Michigan State University's stadium and also, I believe this is the earliest date it has been held as it used to around the 3rd weekend in July. 

Anyway, it is a nice venue for the seniors, especially those who are not planning on continuing their college football careers, although those who are, take a chance at injury before they will be reporting to camp in early August.  Nonetheless, I agree with you that Alma College did a nice job in hosting it.  At least they had good weather even though it was very hot.

[Raider 68]

FDF,

Photos look great, it is coming together!

[sflzman]

Josh Brehm was an honorary captain for the MHSFCA all-star game yesterday.  I don't know if any of you caught it on TV, but I was really immpressed how the game looked from a television aspect in a stadium that isn't built to house TV crews for games.  Overall the presentation by Alma (in the actual stadium with the videoboard, etc.) and the FS Detroit crew was top notch

Indeed, it was nice to see the game played at Alma College to showcase one of our MIAA schools.  However, I was disappointed in the crowd attendance as it seemed to be rather small - from a "general glance", at least it appeared much less than it has been in the past.  That game used to be played in Michigan State University's stadium and also, I believe this is the earliest date it has been held as it used to around the 3rd weekend in July. 

Anyway, it is a nice venue for the seniors, especially those who are not planning on continuing their college football careers, although those who are, take a chance at injury before they will be reporting to camp in early August.  Nonetheless, I agree with you that Alma College did a nice job in hosting it.  At least they had good weather even though it was very hot.

I'm not sure at what point you flipped on the TV, but a lot of people left at halftime or in the 3rd quarter due to how bad the East squad was, combined with the heat.

[OC_SID]

FDF,

Photos look great, it is coming together!

With Hope (and Kalamazoo) putting down the turf this summer, all of the MIAA schools now have a turf field. Anyone know if there are any other Division III conferences, where all of the member schools have a turf field for football.

[Gregory Sager]

Millikin's supposedly getting one this summer, which means that all eight CCIW football fields will be FieldTurf.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

One new pic from yesterday - but it is actually starting to look like a football field!!

[sac]

This was from earlier this year but the wave of MIAA athletic facility improvements continues.  Albion has moved to phase II.

http://www.albion.edu/sports/athletic-department-mainmenu-578/athletic-facilities/facility-upgrades

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I know you're all probably sick of these updates, but it's so blasted hot out, and there's nothing more interesting to post.  Another new page of pics on the turf update at Hope.  Interesting "sewing equipment" they are using.

http://www.hope.edu/pr/campusdev/fbstadiumfour.html

[sac]

The Detroit Lions posted a little piece about Chris Greenwood on their website this afternoon.

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Greenwoods-physical-attributes-are-what-distinguished-him-from-others-in-the-draft/b657b62b-197a-4152-b3e1-9d21a78bdc9e

[Uncle Rico]

I know you're all probably sick of these updates, but it's so blasted hot out, and there's nothing more interesting to post.  Another new page of pics on the turf update at Hope.  Interesting "sewing equipment" they are using.

http://www.hope.edu/pr/campusdev/fbstadiumfour.html

Looks good!  I have always liked the bowl type setting they have, and I am glad the turf is GREEN, and not any of those crazy colors some schools have gone to.  Still prefer real grass over turf, but the times they are a changing, and I do understand the advantages of the fake stuff.     

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I know you're all probably sick of these updates, but it's so blasted hot out, and there's nothing more interesting to post.  Another new page of pics on the turf update at Hope.  Interesting "sewing equipment" they are using.

http://www.hope.edu/pr/campusdev/fbstadiumfour.html

Looks good!  I have always liked the bowl type setting they have, and I am glad the turf is GREEN, and not any of those crazy colors some schools have gone to.  Still prefer real grass over turf, but the times they are a changing, and I do understand the advantages of the fake stuff.     

I agree - I get the reasons for the fake stuff and it has it's advantages, but I prefer a natural surface.  I can only imagine how hot those turf fields are the last couple of days.  I've been standing on Hope's soccer field when it was 85 or so, and that field was HOT!!!  Headed over 100 here today - sure hope there's no soccer camps going on

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico and FDF:

First, good to see you post here again Uncle Rico as it has been quite some time since you last posted.  Welcome back and I hope you'll frequent the board on occasion this fall.

I totally understand where both of you are coming from re: natural turf.  A well groomed football field of natural turf is really nice such as at the beginning of the season.  However, that never lasts and obviously not every field is even like that even.  As we have discussed, the condition of the field can lead to higher injury potential.

Personally, I prefer the new synethic turfs over natural grass.  Aside from all the financial and various use/maintenance advantages they have as has been discussed here in the past, the new style turfs have the same feel and soft resistance of a well-groomed natural turf, the newer ones don't have the increased "rug burn" potential like the older synthetic turfs i.e. are essentially the same now as natural fields in that regard and the "rubber particle" factor that was a nuicance when the new style turfs first came out has been minimized and not that much of a problem anymore, at least from the fields I've seen and also discussed this with.  Besides, the new turfs always look nice and green! Except for those schools who have the crazy colors as you mentioned (Boise State, Eastern Washington)

They do get hot, however, as I will admit.  Yet, in reality, that doesn't essentially matter totally when the temps get as high and humid as they have been of recent (and that happens at the beginning of the season often, even in Sept as you know) because I submit that everyone still has to use the usual modalities and precautions for cooling off and preventing dehydration, heat exhaustion (and hopefully forbidingly heat stroke) regardless of whether we are on natural turf or the new style turf. 

Anyway, that's just my personal opinion/preference for field types, however, again, I understand where you guys are coming from.

 

[Uncle Rico]

FormerD3DB....

Everything you said is true, and you forgot that turf doesn't leave those green grass stains that my mom would yell at me about when she did the laundry.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I'll miss those grass stains - they were like a badge of honor.  The turf also makes it harder to tell when a "new guy" hits the field. 

I always enjoyed the sloppy field, and seeing someone in a clean uniform entering the game and how the other team always seemed to be able to "introduce" that player to the mud quickly.  Understand the toll those games would take on the field, and that the playing surface could end up contributing to the final outcome, and I prefer turf ultimately - just going to miss the mess