NEW ILLINOIS STATE TURF

[ISUMatt]

Thank you to Mr. Potato Red @ RBF.com for the great photos...

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7730/hancock615071nm8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9140/hancock615072ue2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5722/hancock615073ga9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4384/hancock615074ga4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1821/hancock615076iz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5867/hancock6150712vy1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/163/hancock6150714ub6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NoCoDanny]

Some questions...

So is that a mini soccer field running width wise? If so, why?

Was there no other way to render the ISU in the seats other than off center?

[ISUMatt]

the mini soccer set up is probably for the Special Olympics which is the first real event on the new turf this weekend...
The ISU in the seats in sooooo old, at the time, the abacus probably couldnt center it, no

[danefan]

the ISU is more centered then the press box. :D:D

[dgreco]

besides the things Danny said which I had questions, I think it looks pretty good. Except in the 3rd picture it looks a little loose(or not settled) near the endzone

[FlyYtown]

ISU has a nice little stadium over there in Normal.
They have 2 things they need to fix.

1) Get the press box on the 50; not the 35 yard line lol.

2) Rip the bushes out on the small visitors side and put new bleachers in there. It's coming along well!

[ISUMatt]

They are talking major overhauls, but 1 step at a time...1st the turf and scoreboard, they maybe the bushes :)

[Mountaineer]

The turf looks great Matt. xthumbsupx

xhurrayx for progress! xnodx

[lc83]

I know they had an artificial playing surface last year what is the difference? I thought it felt like FieldTurf.

[ISUMatt]

ISU Field Turf (http://goredbirds.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/032207aaa.html)

The new FieldTurf at Hancock Stadium will replace the facility's previous AstroPlay. Hancock was the first football stadium in the state of Illinois to play on artificial turf when the school first installed it in 1969.

"We are excited about having the latest and best generation of FieldTurf installed in Hancock Stadium," said Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson. "FieldTurf is the industry leader in synthetic playing surfaces and I know our players and staff are looking forward to the final product. Not only will the playing surface be state-of-the-art, but the facility will be safer for the student-athletes with the elimination of the concrete aprons surrounding the field."

[SO ILLmatic]

I think the most important question about the surface is:

Will the new Field Turf make it easier to pick up small, red plastic footballs???

[PantherRob82]

looks awesome. can't wait to see it in person this fall.

[LeopardFan04]

looks good!

[PantherRob82]

I think the most important question about the surface is:

Will the new Field Turf make it easier to pick up small, red plastic footballs???

xlolx xlolx xlolx

[AmsterBison]

Looks great! I can't help making one suggestion though:


http://www.diaafootball.com/miscgraphics/turf.jpg

[JoeNeck90]

the mini soccer set up is probably for the Special Olympics which is the first real event on the new turf this weekend...
The ISU in the seats in sooooo old, at the time, the abacus probably couldnt center it, no


Looks great. I can't wait to see Denver out there. What events is he signed up for?

xbangx I mean xsmileyclapx

[JoeNeck90]

The boots should be fine once again for the kick ball tourney but I hope he wears some longer and looser shorts this year. Darn near got DQ'd for allegedly smuggling golf balls from the long drive competition. xsmhx

[slostang]

Looks great. xthumbsupx

[slostang]

Looks great! I can't help making one suggestion though:


http://www.diaafootball.com/miscgraphics/turf.jpg

xlolx xlolx xlolx xrotatehx xrotatehx xlolx xlolxxlolx

[BearsCountry]

When is the stadium project going to start?

[bisonwest]

Looks awesome!! I hope in the not so distant future the Dome can get some. It will probably be a few years because we just bought the stuff we have like five years ago and it's still in good playing shape. I actually heard from someone a while ago that the turf we have is the most up to date "astro" turf you can get. About the same time we got our current turf, field turf began to take off and now many D-II schools use it. The worst thing is D-III Concordia across the river in Moorhead is getting fieldurf soon.xbawlingx Oh well, I guess kicking everyones butt on the old turf will have to do.xlolx xlolx

[th0m]

When is the stadium project going to start?

What stadium project? I'm all ears xnodx

[windwalker]

the mini soccer set up is probably for the Special Olympics which is the first real event on the new turf this weekend...
The ISU in the seats in sooooo old, at the time, the abacus probably couldnt center it, no

Matt, it would have been perfectly centered if we went back to our old name... ISNU

xsmiley_wix xsmiley_wix

[MplsBison]

Doesn't ISU have drawings done up of an expansion to 40k+?

[ISUMatt]

Drawing are for like 25+, I'll search for them and post em

[MplsBison]

For some reason I seem to remember 40k mentioned.

25k seems reasonable.

[ISUMatt]

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/258/renaissancerendbodyoa4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MplsBison]

So that plan calls for keeping the west grandstand the same and building a wrap around, 2 deck south and west side?

[ISUMatt]

Yes, the grandstand area is attached to Horton Fieldhouse wherethe VIS locker rooms are at and where we USED to play BBALL...I dont forsee much happening over there...They want the closed horshoe with a 2nd tier and then possibly a parking deck across Main St

[ISUMatt]

Also the press box is at the 35 because it was centered at halfcourt for the basketball games that were played inside Horton Fieldhouse...Its an extension of that press box...Ask and you shall receive

[NoCoDanny]

Please tell me those soccer lines are temporary???

[ISUMatt]

Please tell me those soccer lines are temporary???

Yes they are for the Illinois Special Olympics...The Soccer field would be behind the home grandstand