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Pat Dye Field Renovations This Offseason
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:46 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:46 pm
Not really new news, but I was reading that PD field will be totally gutted and rebuilt this offseason. The drainage system is gravity based now, but they are replacing it with a vacuum system. (I would love to see how this is done, I am a nerd for this kind of stuff).
The old drainage system was installed during Dye's early years. War Eagle Reader has a very interesting article on the details of how it was done back in 1982. Dye basically got an AU engineering professor to volunteer to do it. Many years later, that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon. (I have to wonder if the new vacuum system will allow AU to reduce the "crown" on the field?).
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
AU has said the project will cost about $6 million and will come out of the athletic budget.
The old drainage system was installed during Dye's early years. War Eagle Reader has a very interesting article on the details of how it was done back in 1982. Dye basically got an AU engineering professor to volunteer to do it. Many years later, that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon. (I have to wonder if the new vacuum system will allow AU to reduce the "crown" on the field?).
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
AU has said the project will cost about $6 million and will come out of the athletic budget.
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Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:48 pm to AUstar
quote:
The drainage system is gravity based now, but they are replacing it with a vacuum system. (I would love to see how this is done, I am a nerd for this kind of stuff).
Google the Augusta National green drainage system. I’d assume whatever system we are using will be at least somewhat similar to that technology.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:53 pm to AUstar
I hate that they are taking the crown off the field. Its a home field advantage in a lot of ways.
quote:I still remember that game. Didnt have tickets but was at a tailgate when the floodgates opened. Got back in time to see the TV broadcaster speaking about how it would take hours to drain the field. It stopped raining, they cut to commercial and when they came back the field looked dry as a bone. Announcer said, "This is the greatest field i have ever seen" I'll remember that one til I die
that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:58 pm to AUstar
quote:
2009 WV game
I remember that rain storm very vividly... CCR blasting in the stadium and the student section refusing to leave. Good memories.
The entire game lol
Bonus
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 10:02 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:00 pm to AUstar
So long as we keep natural grass on the field.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:37 pm to blue_morrison
That was my freshman year and still the most fun game I’ve attended. Ruined my phone but didn’t have a care in the world. I had talked shite to Jarrett Brown (their qb) on Facebook messenger.. called something different back then and he went back and forth with me all week about how their crowd was better than anything he would see at Auburn. He threw 3 or 4 ints so I had to hit him up after the game. He admitted to it being the best atmosphere he had ever seen. My messages only go back to 2010 unfortunately. Wish I could pull em up.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:45 pm to AUstar
quote:
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
So I'm reading this as turf everywhere except the playing field? Hope this is true
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:48 pm to HailToTheChiz
I hope they keep grass on the sideline. Seems like it could cause some injuries immediately changing from grass to turf as you’re getting run off the field. Hoping it’s behind the benches.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:51 pm to auzach91
Yeah I don’t think grass surrounded by a grass track AstroTurf looks very appealing, and it probably feels weird to players who have to come on the field every few plays.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:53 pm to auzach91
Isn't most of the sidelines where they run to covered anyways? Or has that just been paint and my eyes have been lying to me
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:54 pm to Rhino5
My assumption is probably all the area outside the fence will probably be converted to turf.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:55 pm to Lee County Tiger
I think they have some type of tarp type material on a lot of it. But not immediately leaving the field. But that’s only between the 30s.
Eta: maybe it is paint. I can’t really tell. Visitors sideline I see some creases like a tarp
Eta: maybe it is paint. I can’t really tell. Visitors sideline I see some creases like a tarp
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 10:59 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 11:01 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
There’s a “cleat proof” material they lay out down during games to keep the sidelines from being a mud pit.
I don’t know where and why we’d need artificial turf and a new drainage system too.
I don’t know where and why we’d need artificial turf and a new drainage system too.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 11:06 pm to Rhino5
Sounds like they are wanting to put turf in areas just to lessen the amount of work the grounds crew has to do. Probably in a lot of the higher traffic areas and such.
I think Ole Miss actually has something similar now.
I think Ole Miss actually has something similar now.
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 11:07 pm
Posted on 12/28/23 at 12:30 am to blue_morrison
I was there. In the stands. It was great. I had gone to the previous WV game, where I froze my arse off! lol. What an experience, on both ends.
Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:15 am to Je23Mo
West Virginia game was awesome. As to putting in fake grass on the sidelines, a lot of places have done this.
Posted on 12/28/23 at 10:36 am to auzach91
The team box runs from the 25 to the 25. The highest traffic area is in front of that box. The next area will be “No Man’s Land” around the field. Officials and chain crews work that area. Eliminate all that grass.
The crown is necessary……what if the pumps stop working? Swim to the goal line?
When watering midweek ….turn off the pumps.
I remember a game so bad… the crew was stopped at the concessions, so our backs could be hosed off before we went inside the locker room. Shoes off going in. We looked clean on the front, looked like hell on the back. Kidded the crew…”This means we’re lightning fast….our wake proves the point.”
The crown is necessary……what if the pumps stop working? Swim to the goal line?
When watering midweek ….turn off the pumps.
I remember a game so bad… the crew was stopped at the concessions, so our backs could be hosed off before we went inside the locker room. Shoes off going in. We looked clean on the front, looked like hell on the back. Kidded the crew…”This means we’re lightning fast….our wake proves the point.”
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:43 am to AUstar
quote:
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
Bout time…
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:58 am to SingleMalt1973
A question...do indoor/artificial turf fields have crowns?
I was on the Georgia Dome field once, but I don't remember. I assumed all football fields had crowns, except for maybe some small high school fields.
I was on the Georgia Dome field once, but I don't remember. I assumed all football fields had crowns, except for maybe some small high school fields.
Posted on 12/29/23 at 8:52 am to SpotCheckBilly
The short answer is “no”
The long answer more complicated.the rules and design requirements have changed with the technology.
Sand based turf fields do not need a crown. As I stated earlier….what happens when the pumps fail? Artificial fields are hotter surfaces to play on. Oregon put half their practice field artificial and half turf. The team stopped using the artificial . Too hot and injuries increased.
I would expect a lot of backup, just in case of pump failures. Whoever has been contracted to do this are the “experts” no shortcuts. They’ve seen it all. The contractor aware that millions of dollars at stake….per week.
My bet being that the technology has advanced well beyond the pumps used at the levees in Louisiana during Katrina. LOL
The long answer more complicated.the rules and design requirements have changed with the technology.
Sand based turf fields do not need a crown. As I stated earlier….what happens when the pumps fail? Artificial fields are hotter surfaces to play on. Oregon put half their practice field artificial and half turf. The team stopped using the artificial . Too hot and injuries increased.
I would expect a lot of backup, just in case of pump failures. Whoever has been contracted to do this are the “experts” no shortcuts. They’ve seen it all. The contractor aware that millions of dollars at stake….per week.
My bet being that the technology has advanced well beyond the pumps used at the levees in Louisiana during Katrina. LOL
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