FB: American Rivers Conference

[dahlby]

Most of the larger school districts in SoCal have the turf fields. Many districts have more than one high school that share the stadium for both soccer and football. With all the activities, it is less expensive for upkeep. Personally, I too favor the grass field.

[notlongago]

I think Coes turf is ok for the time being, but yes, Loras needs to upgrade that ASAP. IMHO Luther also needs to catch-up with the trends and scrap their grass.

What's wrong with grass?

Slower, uneven playing surface, can affect game plans. Honestly there is nothing I prefer about grass over turf.

[notlongago]

I can't help wondering: since a great majority of (top, at least) colleges are now turf, might being grass be a competitive advantage?

And perhaps a recruiting advantage?  Since most high schools (I assume) are still grass, might there be a fair amount of potential recruits who are 'old school' enough to prefer grass?  Or do the overwhelming majority view grass as 'high school', and turf as 'big time'?

No opinion either way - just wondering.

(Personally, a WELL-maintained grass field is preferable in football (and essential in soccer).  But a 'beat-to-hell' grass field is an abomination in either.)

Ive yet to talk to a recruit that preferred grass. And ive spoken w/ hundreds of recruits about that the past few years.

[DBQ1965]

Having done some field maintenance for good old U of D in my student days (Chalmers Field never looked better than it did for the 1964 season) ... I much prefer the look, feel, and smell of real grass ... and players may prefer it as well.

However, due to the increasing number of artificial turf high school football fields in west Michigan, I'm not sure having a grass turf is any advantage in recruiting at any division.

Just a thought.

[doolittledog]

June 7th - Sept. 7th...3 months until opening kickoff for the IIAC. 

That should sound better than 100 days for notlongago 

[Purple Heys]

FWIW, Cornell is also putting in new turf.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.554737954568456.1073741830.193998220642433&type=3&l=d5d29985c9

Can't get over us can you Double-D?   

[Purple Heys]

From what I hear during recruiting...it's turf or nothing.  Today's kids want to play on turf...and schools that have it, use it to recruit against schools that don't.

[DBQ1965]

FWIW, Cornell is also putting in new turf.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.554737954568456.1073741830.193998220642433&type=3&l=d5d29985c9

Can't get over us can you Double-D?   

Good to see you still around Purple Heys.

[5 Words or Less]

24 of "Top 25" D3's have turf

[5 Words or Less]

13 of 32 NFL teams have turf

[D O.C.]

Linfield College has named David Ostrander vice president for institutional advancement.

Come on, Wartburg, is this guy a spy, or not?

[Bird Dog]

[quote author=Purple Heys link=topic=3785.msg1515601#msg1515601 date=1370645041From what I hear during recruiting...it's turf or nothing.  Today's kids want to play on turf...and schools that have it, use it to recruit against schools that don't.
[/quote]


I believe it was Tug McGraw former pitcher for the New York Mets  when asked if he preferred artificial turf to grass, replied he didn't know he had never smoked artificial turf. 

[bluenote]

I'm wondering who will emerge from the IIAC this year!   

....maybe someone that will knock out Whitewater???

....just wondering! Don't be hard on my Karma !!! LOL !!!

[D3Dutchman]

Most of the larger school districts in SoCal have the turf fields. Many districts have more than one high school that share the stadium for both soccer and football. With all the activities, it is less expensive for upkeep. Personally, I too favor the grass field.

Yeah, it's becoming the thing to do here in Iowa as well.  Pella has three football teams: Central, Pella High, and Pella Christian, and they all have artificial turf now.  I'm not a big fan of it.  Towards the end of my playing days, a few teams in the IIAC were making the transition.  Coincidentally or not, the few times I had a knee tweak, it always was on an artificial surface.  I think they are rough on the body, retain too much heat, and those tire pellets get in your mouth.  It's not surprising that high school kids transitioning to college prefer the turf...it's the "in thing" and all, but when was the last time a kid that age knew diddly squat?  They probably think Oregon's uniforms are cool too.  Turns out NFL players don't share the sentiment...maybe they know a thing or two about what's best for these kids and their bodies? 

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Surface%20Survey%202010.pdf

[Phred]

Turf or grass ?

Come on recruits.........play in MUD like the game was supposed to be played !