Bridgeforth gets makeover
New FieldTurf will be installed this summer prior to new season
By Brian Hansen, sports editor
Posted on April 27, 2006

Beginning in the 2006 season, the JMU football team will be playing on a new field surface.

With its hard Astroturf and large crown down the middle of the field, Bridgeforth Stadium has been described as being the least-liked playing surface in the Atlantic 10 by players.

“Youngsters do not like playing on Astroturf,”  coach Mickey Matthews said. “It’s very hard and it takes its toll on a player’s body.”

The new surface that’s going to be installed is known as FieldTurf and is generally more liked by players for its more natural feel. The FieldTurf, which is the surface that was installed on the UREC field, is also much better than the Astroturf when it comes to injuries.

“It’s a more suitable playing surface,” sports information director Gary Michael said. “

Matthews said, “FieldTurf is a lot like grass, and it is a lot more conducive for any athletic event, not just football.”

The construction, scheduled to begin this summer, will cost $800,000 as part of a larger plan to upgrade the whole stadium over the long term.

“Work should begin as soon as the Monday after graduation and we hope for it to be done no later then August 1,” Michael said.

Other plans to improve the stadium, which is waiting Va. General Assembly approval, are to improve the press box facilities, add luxury suites, improve restroom and concession facilities and expand the stadium’s seating from 12,000 to about 20,000.
Approval will come no sooner than July 1 of this year, as the General Assembly meets to approve the state’s budget.

Some of JMU’s competitors in the A-10 are also making the switch to FieldTurf. William & Mary is already in the process of switching their natural grass surface in Zable Stadium. The University of Richmond is in the process of completing its on-campus facility, First Market Stadium, which also will utilize FieldTurf.