New Field Turf

[goldenhurricane2]

 

['Cane-man]

Seems to be the right time. It's been 8-10 since this carpet was laid.

The turf of today is light year's better than the original crap. I get stone bruises just looking at the old turf and I just played intramurals on it. It was like a carpet laid over a parking lot with a big hump in it. If I were a football player, I might have preferred the mud.

I remember the New York Cosmos had choice things to say about that turf when they played the Roughnecks. I didn't feel sorry for them; they only had to play on it once a year.

 

[Henry Kendall]

The original turf basically made the field a green parking lot with a hump. It was awful

Yes the turf these days is pretty amazing. I don't hear all the calls to return to grass like I used to. Maybe they have figured out other things to gripe about.

 

[HuffyCane]

We wouldn’t come close to being able to afford grass in Oklahoma’s climate.

It’s good the logo is going to be replaced with the new one. The field really looked tired last year and safety was becoming a bit of an issue in places.

I like the lettering around the sidelines that is going in.

 

[Henry Kendall]

I like the lettering around the sidelines that is going in.

Does it say, Expect A Miracle??

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

The original turf basically made the field a green parking lot with a hump. It was awful

Yes the turf these days is pretty amazing. I don't hear all the calls to return to grass like I used to. Maybe they have figured out other things to gripe about.

The concrete hump, with a plastic carpet covering and terrible drainage. This is like heavy now. These friggin' spoiled brats doin't even know how good they got it! Lol!

 

[rusty-c]

The original turf of 30+ years ago was exactly as described, out door carpet over a parking lot. Turf has evolved exponentially over the years, but in the end it's still carpet over a parking lot. The difference is in the length of the blades and the filament used to keep them standing as well as the fill material (turf turds) that provide the cushion to the surface. Even with all the advancements turf will never match the safety of natural grass. which tears under stress and regenerates naturally and in turn doesn't grab and hold like those polypropylene with embedded monofilament blades that are woven into a rug. From a financial perspective turf makes 100% sense, and though it is MUCH better that it was even 10 years ago, there is always going to be a concern (be it small) of increased probability for injuries. I'm sure TU does a good job up-keeping the surface through regular raking and sanitation or it wouldn't look anywhere near as good as it does, but at 8+ years old the life of the surface is done and being able to certify it would be unlikely.

 

[TU 1978]

And I remember the prior season before we got the tartan turf installed over asphalt. It was probably one of the rainiest football seasons and toward the end of the season the field had become a muddy bog. It was believed that when the field was lowered for renovations in 1965 and dirt removed to build the south stands that the drainage problems were created. The mud field was an embarrassment and somehow managed to get us into the fake field trend of the day, albeit with a crown running down the center of the field for drainage purposes so that players could also feel like they were running downhill towards the sidelines.

 

[Henry Kendall]

I remember marching in the Cotton Bowl in the late 70’s. The hump on that field was so bad that if you were standing on one sideline and looked over at someone on the other sideline, you could only see them from the knees up.

 

[Henry Kendall]

Turf has evolved exponentially over the years, but in the end it's still carpet over a parking lot.

A modern field turf football field typically consists of several layers beneath the synthetic turf surface to ensure performance, safety, and durability. From top to bottom, the layers are:

1. **Synthetic Turf Carpet**: The top layer, made of polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, mimics natural grass. It’s infilled with materials like crumb rubber, sand, or alternative infills (e.g., cork, coconut fiber) for cushioning and stability.

2. **Infill Layer**: Granular materials (crumb rubber, silica sand, or organic alternatives) fill the turf to support the fibers, provide shock absorption, and stabilize the surface.

3. **Shock Pad (Optional)**: A foam or rubber pad layer, typically 10-25 mm thick, enhances cushioning and impact absorption, reducing injury risk. Not all fields include this.

4. **Base Layer (Aggregate)**: A compacted layer of crushed stone or gravel, usually 4-6 inches thick, provides structural stability and load-bearing capacity.

5. **Sub-Base Layer**: A deeper layer of compacted soil, sand, or finer gravel, often 6-12 inches thick, ensures a level foundation and supports drainage.

6. **Drainage System**: Perforated pipes or a porous stone layer beneath or within the base directs water away to prevent pooling. Some fields use a flat drainage system integrated into the base.

7. **Geotextile Fabric (Optional)**: A permeable fabric layer may separate the sub-base from the native soil to prevent mixing and enhance stability.

8. **Native Soil or Subgrade**: The natural ground, compacted and graded for a stable foundation. It’s prepared to ensure proper drainage and support.

The exact composition and thickness of these layers vary based on the field’s design, climate, and manufacturer specifications (e.g., FieldTurf, AstroTurf). Proper drainage and shock absorption are critical for player safety and field longevity.

I agree, Rusty, just putting this here.

 

[HuffyCane]

And I remember the prior season before we got the tartan turf installed over asphalt. It was probably one of the rainiest football seasons and toward the end of the season the field had become a muddy bog. It was believed that when the field was lowered for renovations in 1965 and dirt removed to build the south stands that the drainage problems were created. The mud field was an embarrassment and somehow managed to get us into the fake field trend of the day, albeit with a crown running down the center of the field for drainage purposes so that players could also feel like they were running downhill towards the sidelines.

The hump was intentional. Veer and option offenses absolutely had an advantage to the boundary side running down hill not just with the real or imagined speed but it made it slightly more difficult to get off blocks and make the tackles. So that hump was installed with those offenses. You could barely see the other team across the field in Norman.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I remember marching in the Cotton Bowl in the late 70’s. The hump on that field was so bad that if you were standing on one sideline and looked over at someone on the other sideline, you could only see them from the knees up.

I stood on the sideline at Razorback stadium a few times back in the 80’s. Their hump was so large and Lou Holtz was so small that you could only see him from the waist up.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I stood on the sideline at Razorback stadium a few times back in the 80’s. Their hump was so large and Lou Holtz was so small that you could only see him from the waist up.

I always saw him from the waist up. He was like an ugly low flying hovercraft no matter where he was.