February 9, 2010 in Sports

National spotlight on Eastern

Prospects of a red field have generated a buzz

• Print
• Email
• Share

Artist’s conception of Woodward Field’s red playing surface.
(Full-size photo)

The initial hype has subsided, but Eastern Washington University’s decision to replace the natural grass in Woodward Field with a red synthetic playing surface continues to stir interest and conversations across the country.

Since the school first announced late last month that former Eagle Michael Roos and his wife, Katherine, had pledged $500,000 toward the project, EWU and its proposed red turf have been at the center of discussions on several cable television shows, including ESPN’s “Pardon the Interuption,” and a host of radio programs, including the nationally syndicated “The Dan Patrick Show.”

The NCAA’s official Website posted it as its top story when it broke, and Yahoo also gave it a good run on its home page, as well. Blogs and message boards were abuzz with comments on the idea, including a few University of Montana fans, who made it clear they were not enamored with the decision of their Big Sky Conference rival.

The story has been carried in major daily newspapers, nationwide, with a recent headline in the Boise-based Idaho Statesman proclaiming the unique blue turf that was installed in Boise State’s Bronco Stadium 23 years ago was finally “getting a new distant cousin.”

According to EWU sports information director Dave Cook, the national interest generated by the “Red Turf Project” rivals that which was created in 2004 when the Eagles men’s basketball team made its first appearance in the NCAA tournament.

“For a couple of days there, my head was spinning because of all the e-mails and phone calls we were getting,” Cook said. “Things have quieted down a little, but there is still plenty of talk about it.”

Roos, a former standout at Eastern and current starting left tackle and 2008 Pro Bowl pick for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, pledged his initial gift as a means of jump-starting an effort to raise the $750,000 to $1 million needed to purchase and install the red turf.

And Eagles athletic director Bill Chaves is confident the rest of the money can be raised in time to have the new synthetic playing surface in place for the start of the 2010 season.

“We’ve got a couple of other gifts that have since come in, and I can tell you we are certainly in conversations with a number of other folks who are interested in supporting the project,” said Chaves, who did not identify the other donors already onboard with the project.

“Obviously, Michael and Katherine’s donation was just unbelievably generous and kind of served as the first domino to fall, if you will, and get the project off the ground.

“Can we get it done? Why not? I’m extremely optimistic we can follow through,” Chaves added.

It was Marc Hughes, Eastern’s associate athletic director for development, who first approached Roos and his wife, who are both EWU graduates, with the red turf idea.

“I knew if he said yes, it would get some bees buzzing on campus, for sure,” Hughes said. “Michael and Kat took their time to think it over, and in the end said they were honored that somebody finally asked them for something legitimate.

“It ended up being kind of a no-brainer for them in that they’ve always wanted to give back to the university in some way, shape or form.”

Hughes will continue to do most of the project’s hard lifting and plans to maximize his travel budget in an effort to visit personally with other potential donors. And he, like Chaves, thinks the publicity generated by the red turf proposal will make his job easier.

“Going back a couple of months, there were a lot of people thinking we would never be in this position,” Hughes said. “But now, because of Michael’s gift and all the buzz it’s created, those same people are realizing this could actually happen.”

According to Chaves, a member of Eastern’s board of trustees said one of his goals for the year was to raise awareness and visibility of the institution.

“And I don’t think there have been many other things, from an athletic standpoint, that have raised the awareness and visibility of the institution, nationwide, as much as this,” Chaves added.

By installing synthetic turf, the university stands to save between $15,000 and $20,000 annually on field maintenance. That estimate, Chaves explained, is based primarily on not having to preserve the existing natural grass surface that requires 300,000 gallons of water annually.

In addition, there are savings associated with not having to line the field and paint the end zones for each game. And there is also a possibility that future revenue can be generated by hosting non-university events, like high school playoff games.

Chaves said the estimated cost of buying and installing the playing surface is considerably higher than simply replacing one synthetic turf with another. In this instance, there is a lot of preparation work that must be done before the new turf can be installed.

Chaves in hoping some of those preparation costs can, perhaps, be reduced by local contractors deeming at least a portion of their labor costs as gifts in kind to the university.

Both Chaves and Hughes have lingering minor concerns about the project, including whether the red carpet might eventually fade to pink. But they have received assurances from several potential suppliers that such a thing is unlikely.

“We’ve talked to a few turf companies,” Chaves said, “and there will, over the course of time, be some gradual fading. But like green turf that fades from dark green to a lighter green, it we be red to (lighter) red.”

Still, neither the fade issue nor any of the other remaining concerns, have seemed to diminish enthusiasm for the project – especially that of Hughes, the Eagles’ former golf.

“If there is one reason on this entire planet that makes me feel certain we’re doing the right thing with this red turf project,” said Hughes, “it’s because Montana hates it.”

19 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  DeepFriedWhiskey on February 09 at 9:05 a.m.

  I didn’t realize Montana sent out a mass response to represent the entire fan base that says we hate it. That’s a pretty broad statement, don’t you think? I would say a majority of Montana fans that I know say it looks like a desperate move for attention…and it’s working. We could really care less what color your field is, we’ll still beat you on it and make it our home field every two years when we come to visit! But it is nice to see EWU make some improvements and any turf is a step in the right direction. Most fans respect your program and wish the rest of the conference would continue to improve their facilities as well. I just hope EWU gets some more local support and seats in the stands! You guys have had the best football in the area the past few years and it’s a shame more people haven’t noticed. Good luck EWU!

• 

  sixandseven on February 09 at 10:47 a.m.

  $1,000,000 will pay for how many students tuition or how many teachers?

  Since when was College football a business?

  I’m glad we have our priorities straight.

  btw that plastic turf will up the schools insurance from the greater liability of player damage.

• 

  PlanB on February 09 at 11:08 a.m.

  The school already has more students than it can handle. Why would they need more exposure?
  PlanB, 2009 EWU graduate.

• 

  Redsack on February 09 at 2:02 p.m.

  @DeepFriedWhiskey - Well Montana has the facilities and budget of an FBS school, but are scared senseless to move up to that level. EWU has made the FCS playoffs 4 out the past 6 seasons. The best by far of any other Big Sky team besides Montana on a substantially lower budget.

  @sixandseven - This is 100% private donations and people who value higher education should realize it is a constitutional right to donate to whatever project you want to. This takes nothing away from eduction. BTW most universities have turf which is far safer in inclement weather.

  @PlanB - We are talking athletic exposure to improve recruiting and help win games. This brings in more sponsorship dollars as well. And the more students means more tuition dollars that help improve the university.

• 

  FrankP on February 09 at 3:49 p.m.

  I agree with RedSack. It is a great move and the Montana comment was more a recognition of the rivalary than any ill will I am sure. Montana fans are wonderful and always treat EWU well when the game is in Montana’s wonderful stadium. They also bring a good deal of money and energy to Spokane/Cheney every two years. A donor can give to whatever they want or value. It shouldn’t come as a suprise that an All-Pro NFL player who credits his professional success to the football program at EWU would want to financially support the football program when he signs a contract worth millions. We should be applauding his efforts not questioning his designation choice.

• 

  codym on February 09 at 3:49 p.m.

  “$1,000,000 will pay for how many students tuition or how many teachers?

  Since when was College football a business?” - sixandseven

  the 1,000,000 is private donations and while I question Roos’ choice of contribution of 500,000 to this over other more worthwhile causes, it is his money.

  Also:
  Newsflash - when a school’s athletic program has success so does the school. More apparel is bought, more tickets sold and more interest created. With that interest comes not only applicants but more quality applicants.

  For an example you can just look to GU.

• 

  yonnav on February 23 at 4:04 p.m.

  This new red turf will raise the school spirit through the roof at EWU. The new turf will encourage higher attendance and higher school spirit at EWU games. The official athletic spirit club at EWU (TEAM RED) will be able to use this to their advantage and will be able to get students fired up at upcoming games. The field may be turning red this fall but the stands will also become Red because they will be filled with so many Team Red members!!! EWU students can join Team Red at the EWU bookstore!

• 

  ecsub on February 24 at 2:33 p.m.

  The new red turf at Eastern has many advantages with no foreseeable disadvantages other then fading that will come gradually over time. There have been several complaints on the new turf however none of these are valid. People who are upset about how this large amount of money is being spent on athletics when it could help educational programs need to realize that a donation needs to be used where the donor sees fit. The most important advantage to this turf conversion project is the money that will be saved and could be put into other areas within the university such as academics. Along with money being saved Eastern will have something to set them apart from other schools as well as having red turf that will look great with all the Team Red shirts that will be in the stands come September.

• 

  timber2006 on February 25 at 9:50 a.m.

  The announcement of the Red Turf at Eastern has not only brought with it an increased awareness and visibility of the institution, but brings with it new opportunities for groups on Eastern’s campus to help increase school spirit. “Team Red” the Official Spirit club of Eastern is one of the main groups that expect potential gains from the increased publicity the school has received since the initial announcement of the Red Turf. With Eastern taking on a red theme, Team Red hopes to gain a stronger membership base so that it can continue to support and encourage the school’s athletes while also bringing awareness and exposure to Eastern Athletics. The club hopes to blanket the stands with their Red “Rock the Red” shirts as the new turf is revealed next season. Team Red invites all students to become a part in making Red the new Green as we take on Montana in the upcoming football season. “Go Eags.”

• 

  kleiner on February 26 at 12:50 p.m.

  Having been a student at Boise State I know what it is like having a different colored turf and know it has many benefits. Like the “smurf turf” at BSU the EWU red turf will be talked about and will give the football team an advantage because of the increased awareness which will in turn raise attendance in games. Look at BSU and their football program and tell me that the smurf turf has no significance . Ultimately, good athletic programs bring in more money which in turn creates a better education for the students and benefits the college as a whole. The red turf combined with the Team Red student section will provide the school some notoriety and uniqueness that will be talked about for years to come. We will eventually rename it the “Red Tundra” because as we know it gets pretty cold here in the winter like frozen tundra in Lambeau Field the Eagles will have a great advantage.

• 

  Fitzy on February 27 at 3:01 p.m.

  I have lived in Cheney eight years and have attended EWU four years. As I recall the first game I attended was in our sparsely populated stadium with a lukewarm fan base. There were a few excited fans attending, but they seemed few and far between. Needless to say this is not encouraging for the students, players, or fans. This seems to have created a repeating cycle that has prevented EWU athletics from reaching its full potential. This red turf is just the jump start EWU needs. With our school now in the spotlight and the efforts of EWU student fan club TEAM RED, Eastern athletics can be expected to truly take off, bringing all the benefits previously posted.

• 

  lovely12 on February 28 at 8:23 p.m.

  I think the red turf is going to be a great addition to Eastern Washington University. With recent budget cuts, i think that the turf will help to bring in more revenue through increased attendace at games, as well as increased enrollment for the University. Not to mention the red turf will also likely specifically increase student attendance to the games as well as school spirit which has been shown to have a direct affect on the outcome of the game. The more school spirit and fan attendance, the more likely the team is to win. The red turf will further provide the University with more recognition among the community and nation as a whole. While some might say that the red turf is a waste of money that could be spent else where, i think it is important to understand what a large part sports play in the success of universities.

• 

  abolt on March 01 at 9:13 p.m.

  The red turf for Easern will be a great improvement. Being a huge sports enthusiast, I can only see positive for the turf. It will give Eastern a huge advantage both on and off the field. Having the turf will draw better athletes to the school which will in turn reflect on the field. With the growth of Easterns spirit fan club “Team Red,” there will be more support in the stands. Michael Roos knows the importance of a strong fan base and putting in the red turf is the first step in the right direction.

• 

  rz on March 02 at 12:59 p.m.

  Its great that Eastern gets some national coverage, hopefully it will lead to more support at home and even if you are not a huge football fan it would be interesting to see the new turf. I think now students will be more encouraged to attend the games and join EWU fan clubs like “Team Red”. And heads up to Michael Roos, great job on not forgetting your school.

• 

  sanoe007 on March 02 at 3:26 p.m.

  The Red Turf at EWU is definitely a “wow” factor. A lot of people think its a bad idea… Unnecessary… A waste of money where it could be used for academic purposes…. I think that we really don’t have a say… IF a person wants to donate money to a certain cause, it is their decision which cause it goes to. Michael Roos played football for EWU and since he made it into the NFL, I think its kind of cool that he remembers where he came from and would like to “give back” to the school that gave him a chance to play. IF people want more money for academic purposes, then maybe those who graduated from EWU with a career as a doctor or dentist or something would be willing to give a portion of THEIR paycheck to a new library or updating books or even somehow donating it so textbooks will cost less?…. Until that happens, why are people putting this idea down? It’s not like its taking a ton of money away from the school, its free money given to improve it. Besides, maybe this new field will raise so much hype for Eastern that students will be more interested in becoming involved… That’s a really good thing! Also I have noticed that some people have mentioned Eastern’s Team Red Student Fan Club… To add to their “plugs”, it actually is a very good starting point for one who wants to become involved in EWU’s athletics events… With our green field going red… It is a perfect time to start ROCKING THE RED!!! Go Eastern!

• 

  ecollier on March 02 at 7:28 p.m.

  While the amount of money being spent on the new red turf may seem wasteful to those who do not believe in the value of athletics in school, you can’t put a price on pride. I have been a student at EWU for the last few years, and in this time, I have seen the amount of pride that students have in being Eagles increase dramatically. The sight of this new red turf amongst the fields of grass and wheat, will be a sight to see. This new red turf will also be a sign for the amount of pride EWU has in its football team. Most importantly it will serve as a constant reminder of how proud we all are of the warriors who step out onto that field and give it their all. The students at Eastern have formed Team Red as a way of showing their support, and this new turf will show the true colors of all the students. Red is the new green.

• 

  bluejadajordan on March 02 at 8:33 p.m.

  Replacing the grass with red turf, while a huge expense, has the opportunity to make EWU stand out. The color red is considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity. By just changing the color of the turf, the games played there could become more challenging, the fans become more involved, and the overall experience of attending events there better. While academics should always be emphasized at higher education institutions, student retention is also dependent on the way of life the school offers; the extracurricular activities, student involvement, and networks formed during school can not only affect a person’s long term goals, but also change the overall feelings toward higher education and a specific school itself.

• 

  Zwisner on March 04 at 6:43 p.m.

  I can understand some people’s unrest over spending $1,000,000 to change the turf color when we seem to be facing such extreme budget problems, but considering the fact that the vast majority was raised from private donations, and the money should be used as they (the donors) see fit.

  There is also a lot of great opportunity for EWU with the stadium getting a face lift. There is no doubt that a good sports program will attract more (and potentially better) students. This also gives the EWU campus at Cheney a chance to ramp up its school spirit, fill the stadium with fans, and enjoy college life as much as possible. There is a great chance for the school to show its support, rally around the schools spirit club, Team Red, and enjoy our athletes rocking the red turf!

• 

  tang68 on March 09 at 5:19 p.m.

  I feel that changing the field will be a great advancement to the stadium and yes it will possibly attract more people and definitely more press but has there been any thought to what the rest of the stadium will look like or make the new field look like if there is nothing else upgraded? The field will look new and bright red but what will the whole stadium look like if there is a red field and a faded red, more like pink track, or sun bleached materials and paint elsewhere? Where there plans to spend some school money on making sure the rest of the facility looks as great as the new turf? As far as conceptual images the image depicts a black track, a red field, and no grass anywhere. The field is paid for but the school hasn’t seemed to say if they are going to update the rest or if the stadium will only be getting the turf. In my opinion the field will look horrible if the rest of the stadium is left as is and from a donor’s perspective it may seem like money lost if as a whole things don’t look like they belong together. The school might want to take some ownership of the project and their reputation making sure the whole facility looks as good as the field.