FB: American Rivers Conference

[The Show]

Plus, have any players out there ever get those rubber pellats in their eyes while playing on this kind of surface???  I would think that could be an issue.

I recall more than once returning to the huddle at a certain field in Waverly where the O-Line was picking the stuff out of their eyes because at the snap of the ball a defensive lineman or two would toss that stuff in the air as they came out of their stance.  Of course, I'm sure it was accidental!!! 

[New Storm]

Also here is your fan cheat sheet.  If you want to see how many people can actually sit in a stadium follow this formula.  Take the length of the stands by the number of row and divide that by 1.5.  Many places will advertise based upon their net seats.  In the bleacher business all we are worried about is gross seats.  Okay I am off that soap box

That works out pretty well for UD saying their new home stand will seat 2,000.  For Luther that would be about 3,400 for the home side + 300 for the visiting side...figure 500 for standing around the field...maybe they can fit another 800 overlooking the field in the cafeteria and on top!!!  That could get them to 5,000!!!  For Walston Hoover if the home side goes from the 5 to the 5 and it's 16 rows in front of the press box and 19 otherwise...figure 3,200 fans for the home side...500 for the visiting side...1,000 standing around the field...they get a lot of people doing that...4,700 capacity for Walston Hoover!!!  

Klop, what are installation costs for installing Field Turf???  Is it really cheaper than keeping a natural grass field???  Even if it cost $50,000 per year in upkeep for a grass field, If a field turf field is only guaranteed for 7-10 years unless it costs less that $2,000,000 you aren't really saving anything.  Plus, have any players out there ever get those rubber pellats in their eyes while playing on this kind of surface???  I would think that could be an issue.  

Dog the cost to install one of those field really depends upon a lot of site conditions and how much site prep needs to be done.  That is a lot of the cost as well.  The industry is kind of a "whores" market.  Most of the turf, with the exception of the company I represent, is made in Dolton, GA.  Its the carpet mill capital of the world.  The turf can be made on a carpet press and can be made very inexpensivly.  Thus why you see so much fluxuation in bid results.  Its not unthinkalbe to sock 250K to 500k in to a football field.  The advanage of the field turf is that you can have soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey, and any other type of field related activity on it.  Plus it can double as a practice facility as well.  No more rained out practices.  The maintenace and upkeep on the field is basically nothing and really depends upon the amount of teams that play on it per season.  It needs to be raked, and more rubber infill does need to be replaced after many years.  The seams are big problem and can lead to delamination.  The rubber in the eyes and all over your uniforms is refered to as "splash".  I hated this and it was one of the biggest reasons that I hated playing on the stuff.  I think for high school or large park and recreation facilities that runs a lot of programs, it can be a great tool.  For the college who is only dedicated to playing football, get yourself a good groundskeeper and some Kentucky BlueGrass and call it day

Intersting we are getting more heavy rain tonight I hope those non field fields the good old grass hold up this fall if we continue to get this heavy rain this fall. Could make for some muddy days, I remember before field turf at Simpson some days were just terrible

[5 Words or Less]

re: Turf vs. Grass

How do injury rates compare?

[DBQ1965]

As the discussion here takes interestting twists from football to stadiums to fields to grass vs. turf and then grass, weed, etc., I remember that we rented a farm house in Dunkerton the year ('71-'72) I was doing graduate work at UNI.  While the farm was in corn ... grass or ditch weed or Iowa Gold as I heard it called  grew wild and plentiful.  Also on the farm was a donkey named "Jack" ... and I think he did enough grazing to get a little crazy every so often.  Maybe that's what was meant by "loco weed."  Anyway ... Jack would greet us every morning with a series of loud brays when we left the house.

[the_mayne_event]

re: Turf vs. Grass

How do injury rates compare?

i remrember seeing one person tear their ACL at Coe because the grass gave out from underneath them.
I dont think there is a better chance of getting injured on field turf as there was on the old carpet turf crap.

Plus, have any players out there ever get those rubber pellats in their eyes while playing on this kind of surface???  I would think that could be an issue.

I recall more than once returning to the huddle at a certain field in Waverly where the O-Line was picking the stuff out of their eyes because at the snap of the ball a defensive lineman or two would toss that stuff in the air as they came out of their stance.  Of course, I'm sure it was accidental!!! 

the rubber pelets were always the worst, and it also seemed that the fields were much hotter (because of the rubber underneath)

Simpson's field is terrible with the way the lines weave.

[Walston Hoover]

So twice as high but half as long as Walston Hoover

That's what she said.

That's what ALL of them say.

[doolittledog]

As the discussion here takes interestting twists from football to stadiums to fields to grass vs. turf and then grass, weed, etc., I remember that we rented a farm house in Dunkerton the year ('71-'72) I was doing graduate work at UNI.  While the farm was in corn ... grass or ditch weed or Iowa Gold as I heard it called  grew wild and plentiful.  Also on the farm was a donkey named "Jack" ... and I think he did enough grazing to get a little crazy every so often.  Maybe that's what was meant by "loco weed."  Anyway ... Jack would greet us every morning with a series of loud brays when we left the house.

There was an ad in the swap sheet here last week for miniature donkeys for $25.00!!!  Should I buy one and ship him out to Michigan so you and your wife can remember the old times???  I haven't noticed any of the old ditch weed growing around our place since we tore that fence out.  My dad has told me that during WWII there was a hemp plant in Traer that made rope and that you saw fields of hemp being grown around here at that time.  Don't know if he is pulling my leg or not though!!!

[doolittledog]

Here are a few thoughts of the IIAC football stadiums.  And some of these thoughts are coming from 20+ year old memories and some from pictures.  I will work somewhat east to west.

Dubuque - With new home seating attached to the new recreation and wellness center, new press box and presidential suite, new playing surface, new track, new scoreboard, new visitor seating, new concessions area.  The Spartans will have as nice of a facility as there is in the IIAC...not better...just as nice. 

Loras - New home seating, new press box, new playing surface, new track, visitor seating on top of a bluff...a bit far away from the action but an unique experiance none the less, a view overlooking the city of Dubuque, the Rock Bowl gets two thumbs up from me.

Luther - Probably the largest home seating in the conference, beautiful view...especially in October, grass field normally kept in good condition, Decorah is a nice town, could use some more visitor side seating in my opinion...but a great place to watch a game. 

Wartburg - New home side seating, new playing surface, new track, the W is part of the whole experiance, large and passionate home fans, Waverly is another great college town, overall a great advertisement for D3 football.

Coe - New playing surface which was needed as the grass there had taken a beating in recent years.  My only complaint is Coe needs more seating on both the home and visitor sides.  I know Cedar Rapids is Hawkeye country, but with the population base there I think if Coe put up an impressive football stadium with their on field track record you could really get some good crowds at Coe. 

Cornell - A good old-time football facility with a great name...Ash Park.  I think all Cornell really needs is a bit of a make over.  Add a new press box and presidential suite on top, maybe extend the home seating 10 yards on each end, possibly replace the chain link fence around the perimeter with some sort of brick and black iron deal...a fresh coat of paint and maybe try to schedule even more trains to go by during games, just to mess with the visitors and you would have yourself a winner. 

Central - It has been said Central has enough seating for the crowds they get.  I just think a team that has won 29 conference titles and has made the playoffs a whole mess of times deserves a little nicer looking set up than what they currently have.  And from what has been written here...if they move the home side across the field and build party decks and what not.  That will be a great place.  The Dutch have already put in a new playing surface and track.

Simpson - Another place that I think just needs a little updating.  From pictures it looks like 3 seperate home stands.  I think you built one big home stand you would get a more festive crowd than you get with 3 seperate stands.  Also from listening to both the Simpson and Dubuque radio announcers...the Storm might also want to build a new press box.  Now might be a good time with a new coach in town and from what seems like a turn around back to their old winning ways.  Might help get some more Des Moines area kids on campus. 

Buena Vista - I think their seating capacity is just fine, over looks the lake, not much to say really, the wind might blow in November but that's your home field advantage. 

[footballdaddy]

One other observation on Central's facilities, this time from a student standpoint. The athletic facilities are located almost as physically far away from the undergraduate dorms as can be. After walking from the facility to the admissions office on a "crisp" November day, it's a real issue.   

[New Storm]

Here are a few thoughts of the IIAC football stadiums.  And some of these thoughts are coming from 20+ year old memories and some from pictures.  I will work somewhat east to west.

Dubuque - With new home seating attached to the new recreation and wellness center, new press box and presidential suite, new playing surface, new track, new scoreboard, new visitor seating, new concessions area.  The Spartans will have as nice of a facility as there is in the IIAC...not better...just as nice. 

Loras - New home seating, new press box, new playing surface, new track, visitor seating on top of a bluff...a bit far away from the action but an unique experiance none the less, a view overlooking the city of Dubuque, the Rock Bowl gets two thumbs up from me.

Luther - Probably the largest home seating in the conference, beautiful view...especially in October, grass field normally kept in good condition, Decorah is a nice town, could use some more visitor side seating in my opinion...but a great place to watch a game. 

Wartburg - New home side seating, new playing surface, new track, the W is part of the whole experiance, large and passionate home fans, Waverly is another great college town, overall a great advertisement for D3 football.

Coe - New playing surface which was needed as the grass there had taken a beating in recent years.  My only complaint is Coe needs more seating on both the home and visitor sides.  I know Cedar Rapids is Hawkeye country, but with the population base there I think if Coe put up an impressive football stadium with their on field track record you could really get some good crowds at Coe. 

Cornell - A good old-time football facility with a great name...Ash Park.  I think all Cornell really needs is a bit of a make over.  Add a new press box and presidential suite on top, maybe extend the home seating 10 yards on each end, possibly replace the chain link fence around the perimeter with some sort of brick and black iron deal...a fresh coat of paint and maybe try to schedule even more trains to go by during games, just to mess with the visitors and you would have yourself a winner. 

Central - It has been said Central has enough seating for the crowds they get.  I just think a team that has won 29 conference titles and has made the playoffs a whole mess of times deserves a little nicer looking set up than what they currently have.  And from what has been written here...if they move the home side across the field and build party decks and what not.  That will be a great place.  The Dutch have already put in a new playing surface and track.

Simpson - Another place that I think just needs a little updating.  From pictures it looks like 3 seperate home stands.  I think you built one big home stand you would get a more festive crowd than you get with 3 seperate stands.  Also from listening to both the Simpson and Dubuque radio announcers...the Storm might also want to build a new press box.  Now might be a good time with a new coach in town and from what seems like a turn around back to their old winning ways.  Might help get some more Des Moines area kids on campus. 

Buena Vista - I think their seating capacity is just fine, over looks the lake, not much to say really, the wind might blow in November but that's your home field advantage. 

Good rundown on all the stadiums well done  8) 8)

[DBQ1965]

As the discussion here takes interestting twists from football to stadiums to fields to grass vs. turf and then grass, weed, etc., I remember that we rented a farm house in Dunkerton the year ('71-'72) I was doing graduate work at UNI.  While the farm was in corn ... grass or ditch weed or Iowa Gold as I heard it called  grew wild and plentiful.  Also on the farm was a donkey named "Jack" ... and I think he did enough grazing to get a little crazy every so often.  Maybe that's what was meant by "loco weed."  Anyway ... Jack would greet us every morning with a series of loud brays when we left the house.

There was an ad in the swap sheet here last week for miniature donkeys for $25.00!!!  Should I buy one and ship him out to Michigan so you and your wife can remember the old times???  I haven't noticed any of the old ditch weed growing around our place since we tore that fence out.  My dad has told me that during WWII there was a hemp plant in Traer that made rope and that you saw fields of hemp being grown around here at that time.  Don't know if he is pulling my leg or not though!!!

Are there any team besides Army that have a mule for a mascot?

[the_mayne_event]

Here are a few thoughts of the IIAC football stadiums.  And some of these thoughts are coming from 20+ year old memories and some from pictures.  I will work somewhat east to west.

Dubuque - With new home seating attached to the new recreation and wellness center, new press box and presidential suite, new playing surface, new track, new scoreboard, new visitor seating, new concessions area.  The Spartans will have as nice of a facility as there is in the IIAC...not better...just as nice. 

Loras - New home seating, new press box, new playing surface, new track, visitor seating on top of a bluff...a bit far away from the action but an unique experiance none the less, a view overlooking the city of Dubuque, the Rock Bowl gets two thumbs up from me.

Luther - Probably the largest home seating in the conference, beautiful view...especially in October, grass field normally kept in good condition, Decorah is a nice town, could use some more visitor side seating in my opinion...but a great place to watch a game. 

Wartburg - New home side seating, new playing surface, new track, the W is part of the whole experiance, large and passionate home fans, Waverly is another great college town, overall a great advertisement for D3 football.

Coe - New playing surface which was needed as the grass there had taken a beating in recent years.  My only complaint is Coe needs more seating on both the home and visitor sides.  I know Cedar Rapids is Hawkeye country, but with the population base there I think if Coe put up an impressive football stadium with their on field track record you could really get some good crowds at Coe. 

Cornell - A good old-time football facility with a great name...Ash Park.  I think all Cornell really needs is a bit of a make over.  Add a new press box and presidential suite on top, maybe extend the home seating 10 yards on each end, possibly replace the chain link fence around the perimeter with some sort of brick and black iron deal...a fresh coat of paint and maybe try to schedule even more trains to go by during games, just to mess with the visitors and you would have yourself a winner. 

Central - It has been said Central has enough seating for the crowds they get.  I just think a team that has won 29 conference titles and has made the playoffs a whole mess of times deserves a little nicer looking set up than what they currently have.  And from what has been written here...if they move the home side across the field and build party decks and what not.  That will be a great place.  The Dutch have already put in a new playing surface and track.

Simpson - Another place that I think just needs a little updating.  From pictures it looks like 3 seperate home stands.  I think you built one big home stand you would get a more festive crowd than you get with 3 seperate stands.  Also from listening to both the Simpson and Dubuque radio announcers...the Storm might also want to build a new press box.  Now might be a good time with a new coach in town and from what seems like a turn around back to their old winning ways.  Might help get some more Des Moines area kids on campus. 

Buena Vista - I think their seating capacity is just fine, over looks the lake, not much to say really, the wind might blow in November but that's your home field advantage. 

Could do without the purple track at Loras... who does that anyways?  i know it is part of the colors and all, but really...

[doolittledog]

As the discussion here takes interestting twists from football to stadiums to fields to grass vs. turf and then grass, weed, etc., I remember that we rented a farm house in Dunkerton the year ('71-'72) I was doing graduate work at UNI.  While the farm was in corn ... grass or ditch weed or Iowa Gold as I heard it called  grew wild and plentiful.  Also on the farm was a donkey named "Jack" ... and I think he did enough grazing to get a little crazy every so often.  Maybe that's what was meant by "loco weed."  Anyway ... Jack would greet us every morning with a series of loud brays when we left the house.

There was an ad in the swap sheet here last week for miniature donkeys for $25.00!!!  Should I buy one and ship him out to Michigan so you and your wife can remember the old times???  I haven't noticed any of the old ditch weed growing around our place since we tore that fence out.  My dad has told me that during WWII there was a hemp plant in Traer that made rope and that you saw fields of hemp being grown around here at that time.  Don't know if he is pulling my leg or not though!!!

Are there any team besides Army that have a mule for a mascot?

Here you go...http://www.smargon.net/nicknames/

One of the Missouri directional schools...maybe Central Missouri, the mens teams are the Mules and the womens teams are the Jennies.  There is also 1 or 2 Arkansas schools with a Mule mascot if I am not mistaken.  You will also find the Washburn Ichabods among others!!!

[doolittledog]

Here are a few thoughts of the IIAC football stadiums.  And some of these thoughts are coming from 20+ year old memories and some from pictures.  I will work somewhat east to west.

Dubuque - With new home seating attached to the new recreation and wellness center, new press box and presidential suite, new playing surface, new track, new scoreboard, new visitor seating, new concessions area.  The Spartans will have as nice of a facility as there is in the IIAC...not better...just as nice. 

Loras - New home seating, new press box, new playing surface, new track, visitor seating on top of a bluff...a bit far away from the action but an unique experiance none the less, a view overlooking the city of Dubuque, the Rock Bowl gets two thumbs up from me.

Luther - Probably the largest home seating in the conference, beautiful view...especially in October, grass field normally kept in good condition, Decorah is a nice town, could use some more visitor side seating in my opinion...but a great place to watch a game. 

Wartburg - New home side seating, new playing surface, new track, the W is part of the whole experiance, large and passionate home fans, Waverly is another great college town, overall a great advertisement for D3 football.

Coe - New playing surface which was needed as the grass there had taken a beating in recent years.  My only complaint is Coe needs more seating on both the home and visitor sides.  I know Cedar Rapids is Hawkeye country, but with the population base there I think if Coe put up an impressive football stadium with their on field track record you could really get some good crowds at Coe. 

Cornell - A good old-time football facility with a great name...Ash Park.  I think all Cornell really needs is a bit of a make over.  Add a new press box and presidential suite on top, maybe extend the home seating 10 yards on each end, possibly replace the chain link fence around the perimeter with some sort of brick and black iron deal...a fresh coat of paint and maybe try to schedule even more trains to go by during games, just to mess with the visitors and you would have yourself a winner. 

Central - It has been said Central has enough seating for the crowds they get.  I just think a team that has won 29 conference titles and has made the playoffs a whole mess of times deserves a little nicer looking set up than what they currently have.  And from what has been written here...if they move the home side across the field and build party decks and what not.  That will be a great place.  The Dutch have already put in a new playing surface and track.

Simpson - Another place that I think just needs a little updating.  From pictures it looks like 3 seperate home stands.  I think you built one big home stand you would get a more festive crowd than you get with 3 seperate stands.  Also from listening to both the Simpson and Dubuque radio announcers...the Storm might also want to build a new press box.  Now might be a good time with a new coach in town and from what seems like a turn around back to their old winning ways.  Might help get some more Des Moines area kids on campus. 

Buena Vista - I think their seating capacity is just fine, over looks the lake, not much to say really, the wind might blow in November but that's your home field advantage. 

Could do without the purple track at Loras... who does that anyways?  i know it is part of the colors and all, but really...

I'm with you on that.  Loras will go from an A to an A- on my list for having the purple track.  And while we're at it.  I don't like seeing multiple sports lines on a field at the same time.  If a school feels they must have football and soccer and lacrosse and whatever else sports on the same field so they go with field turf.  Would it be impossible to get a field without the lines painted on and then chalk them in for each individual sport???  Please??? 

[the_mayne_event]

Here are a few thoughts of the IIAC football stadiums.  And some of these thoughts are coming from 20+ year old memories and some from pictures.  I will work somewhat east to west.

Dubuque - With new home seating attached to the new recreation and wellness center, new press box and presidential suite, new playing surface, new track, new scoreboard, new visitor seating, new concessions area.  The Spartans will have as nice of a facility as there is in the IIAC...not better...just as nice. 

Loras - New home seating, new press box, new playing surface, new track, visitor seating on top of a bluff...a bit far away from the action but an unique experiance none the less, a view overlooking the city of Dubuque, the Rock Bowl gets two thumbs up from me.

Luther - Probably the largest home seating in the conference, beautiful view...especially in October, grass field normally kept in good condition, Decorah is a nice town, could use some more visitor side seating in my opinion...but a great place to watch a game. 

Wartburg - New home side seating, new playing surface, new track, the W is part of the whole experiance, large and passionate home fans, Waverly is another great college town, overall a great advertisement for D3 football.

Coe - New playing surface which was needed as the grass there had taken a beating in recent years.  My only complaint is Coe needs more seating on both the home and visitor sides.  I know Cedar Rapids is Hawkeye country, but with the population base there I think if Coe put up an impressive football stadium with their on field track record you could really get some good crowds at Coe. 

Cornell - A good old-time football facility with a great name...Ash Park.  I think all Cornell really needs is a bit of a make over.  Add a new press box and presidential suite on top, maybe extend the home seating 10 yards on each end, possibly replace the chain link fence around the perimeter with some sort of brick and black iron deal...a fresh coat of paint and maybe try to schedule even more trains to go by during games, just to mess with the visitors and you would have yourself a winner. 

Central - It has been said Central has enough seating for the crowds they get.  I just think a team that has won 29 conference titles and has made the playoffs a whole mess of times deserves a little nicer looking set up than what they currently have.  And from what has been written here...if they move the home side across the field and build party decks and what not.  That will be a great place.  The Dutch have already put in a new playing surface and track.

Simpson - Another place that I think just needs a little updating.  From pictures it looks like 3 seperate home stands.  I think you built one big home stand you would get a more festive crowd than you get with 3 seperate stands.  Also from listening to both the Simpson and Dubuque radio announcers...the Storm might also want to build a new press box.  Now might be a good time with a new coach in town and from what seems like a turn around back to their old winning ways.  Might help get some more Des Moines area kids on campus. 

Buena Vista - I think their seating capacity is just fine, over looks the lake, not much to say really, the wind might blow in November but that's your home field advantage. 

Could do without the purple track at Loras... who does that anyways?  i know it is part of the colors and all, but really...

I'm with you on that.  Loras will go from an A to an A- on my list for having the purple track.  And while we're at it.  I don't like seeing multiple sports lines on a field at the same time.  If a school feels they must have football and soccer and lacrosse and whatever else sports on the same field so they go with field turf.  Would it be impossible to get a field without the lines painted on and then chalk them in for each individual sport???  Please??? 

agreed, that is the only thing wrong wiht Coe's field turf... the freakin soccer lines, and to think, in a couple years they wont even be playing soccer on the field... they are buidling that new complex with a soccer field in it i think... what a waste.