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Marshall's new field turf most noticeable addition to university
Finishing touches are made on the newly installed turf field behind the Marshall University Recreation Center on Monday, July 27, 2009, in Huntington.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- When Marshall University students finished the spring semester, the field behind the new recreational center at 3rd Avenue and 20th Street was nothing more than a mound of dirt.
Now, though, it's a sprawling, 290-by-160-foot artificial turf field that will allow the university to expand its intramural sports programs and provide the marching band a suitable place to practice.
"We've been moved several times in the six years I've been here," said Steve Barnett, music professor and director of bands. "To finally have a permanent practice facility that is that nice will really be a boost for our students and staff. We'll get rained out, but we'll never get rained out because of mud."
Dave Stewart, director of Campus Recreation, said the new turf -- TerraSport Turf by Spectra Sports -- also is for the entire student body.
"You may not remember solving that algebraic equation, but ... this will provide those wonderful memories that make college unforgettable," Stewart said. "It sends a perfect message of education and that it's very helpful to be fit, and we have the first-rate facilities to do that."
The new field cost $489,000, said Marshall University Chief of Staff Bill Bissett. But it was included in the total funding package that built the first-year residence halls and the recreational center that opened in February.
"I don't know if it completes it, but it certainly closes a lot of openings," Stewart said of the turf's completion.
While the marching band will use the field for its daily practices, most people will notice numerous sporting events taking place there. Stewart said during the first semester, there will be two morning classes for soccer and flag football. In the evenings after marching band practice, the intramural flag football season begins. That was the only outdoor intramural sport offered last year; now, it's only the beginning of what students will be able to experience this year.
"Last year, we played at the (Veterans Memorial) Field House," Stewart said. "The field was not in the best of conditions."
In addition to flag football, there also will be outdoor soccer and ultimate Frisbee. Stewart said they don't want to overload the field, but not because it won't hold up. There are no lights -- although Stewart said it's on his wishlist -- so all activities on the field turf must finish by dusk.
"Marshall is landlocked, so this is a major greenspace on campus," he said. "The field will be heavily used, but we also want to schedule informal times for students who just want to kick the ball around."
The land used to house Marshall's track, but it was torn up when all the construction in that area began.
Other possible uses for the turf could be Marshall's sport club teams for lacrosse, rugby and even dodgeball.
This semester also marks the start of the first full year for the recreational center. Stewart said he expects heavy usage from students, especially first-year residents, who live a stone's throw away.
"I know our new students will be in here using it," he said. "We have the programs, facilities and opportunities. In today's recruitment climate, it's almost always expected to have great residence halls for students and, of course, education. But this is part of that."
The recreational center also will host such intramural sports as basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, wallyball and table tennis.
More information is available by calling 304-696-4REC or by visiting www.marshallcampusrec.com.
