FB: Liberty League

[UfanBill]

A photo today of a member of the Ithaca Bombers grounds crew trying to locate the sidelines at Butterfield in preparation for this week's game.

Wait...So this guys going to lose his job? 

[Jonny Utah]

A photo today of a member of the Ithaca Bombers grounds crew trying to locate the sidelines at Butterfield in preparation for this week's game.

Wait...So this guys going to lose his job? 

Haha yep.  But I'll tell you what, those guys took real pride in that field.  I've talked about this before, but in September that grass was some of the nicest in the country.  Old school crown, and could withstand 2 good rainstorms before it would fall apart (and it fell apart bad after that).

[Hawks88]

https://twitter.com/BomberSports/status/1234901598029123585?s=20

Kind of sad news.  I haven't been up in a few years but the smell of grass, mud and dirt is missing from football games.  I guess lights will be interesting though.  Also assuming this means other teams will be using the field (for those who didn't know, Butterfield was always a football only field unless things have changed over the past 5 years).

I also loved playing on real grass, but time to move on, and bring your own bag of grass to smell during the game...now that's really like the old college days.

I think this levels the playing field, both figuratively and literally!

Unless they've come up with an ankle deep version of artificial turf.

[Jonny Utah]

Checking out the facebook ramblings, not all are happy with Ithaca's decision to move to turf and add lights.  Also concerns with lights "blocking the view" of the lake, as well as the outdoor track which I guess needs some repair as well (plans did not say whether or not the track was being renovated).  I can see both sides, but I would keep it grass if it were up to me.  There are three football practice fields that also have a decent view of the lake, and one of those could always be converted to turf with stands if need be.  There are also three grass soccer fields above Butterfield and the new Higgins turf field across campus as well. 

[Caz Bombers]

I had assumed the purpose was to put intramural sports on Carp Wood Field and move soccer down the hill to Butterfield. I guess that's not what's happening.

Lights will block the view of the lake? You mean when it's...dark outside? Some of these whiners should be smacked with the Blackjack of Shame.

[Jonny Utah]

I had assumed the purpose was to put intramural sports on Carp Wood Field and move soccer down the hill to Butterfield. I guess that's not what's happening.

Lights will block the view of the lake? You mean when it's...dark outside? Some of these whiners should be smacked with the Blackjack of Shame.

No I think they meant during the day if there are light poles on/next to Cerrache.

[Caz Bombers]

Ah, gotcha. Still a dumb objection and I do not withdraw the motion to physically strike these people.

[Jonny Utah]

As many of you know we lost a home game two years ago, and our competitors use this against us in recruiting.

I'm still trying to find out what Swanstrom meant by this quote.....

[Pat Coleman]

Wasn't there an ECAC game that had to be moved?

[Jonny Utah]

Wasn't there an ECAC game that had to be moved?

Yea that's what I guessed but wasn't 100% sure. 

[ITH radio]

He's talking about Utica beating them at "home" aka on Cornell's field turf stadium

[Oline89]

He's talking about Utica beating them at "home" aka on Cornell's field turf stadium

Swanstrom's offense certainly looks better on field turf, but I wonder if there was still a slight competitive advantage to the home team on grass.  I know the visiting players felt a big difference. 

[Jonny Utah]

He's talking about Utica beating them at "home" aka on Cornell's field turf stadium

Swanstrom's offense certainly looks better on field turf, but I wonder if there was still a slight competitive advantage to the home team on grass.  I know the visiting players felt a big difference.

Yea he seems to be for it. I think in general spread teams simply do better on turf.  And it seems to run mostly 10 personell spread with no fullbacks, TE's or H backs for the most part.

[Ithaca798891]

Checking out the facebook ramblings, not all are happy with Ithaca's decision to move to turf and add lights.  Also concerns with lights "blocking the view" of the lake, as well as the outdoor track which I guess needs some repair as well (plans did not say whether or not the track was being renovated).  I can see both sides, but I would keep it grass if it were up to me.  There are three football practice fields that also have a decent view of the lake, and one of those could always be converted to turf with stands if need be.  There are also three grass soccer fields above Butterfield and the new Higgins turf field across campus as well.

This isn't really a football move, although a lot of people are fixated on what it means for the football team.

Butterfield gets used 4-6 times a year. Football homes games and commencement. Allowing it to be used year round, by multiple teams, and possibly for other things beyond just IC athletics, has a huge benefit for the college.

(Regarding the missing home game, it was probably that ECAC game, but I know that there have been other instances where they tore the field up so bad that, had they had a home game the next week, they likely wouldn't have been able to play there. The grounds crew does an amazing job, but sometimes the weather just hasn't cooperated)

[MRMIKESMITH]

Awesome news about the turf...now I'm not to worried about having an away game up there...