$600m Stadium Renovation....

Injuries. I know I would rather play on grass than turf. All things being equal, a recruit will choose grass over turf, especially those who use their speed and agility as an advantage.
We were all set to start with the training fields and progressing to Memorial Stadium reverting back to grass. Rhule had mentioned a few times what a positive thing this was.
Non-football people have obviously been the decision makers.

Turf is generally faster than grass.
 
Turf is generally faster than grass.
...and the stuff they make a track for sprinting is even faster. Turf has been measured to show injuries to knees happen at a much higher rate on turf. Much higher.
Turf being a bit faster isn't an advantage because it affects both teams. If a WR who runs a 4.5 40 on grass runs a 4.45 on turf, he gains no advantage on a CB who also does 4.5/4.45. Although a trashed ACL can end a future.
 
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...and the stuff they make a track for sprinting is even faster. Turf has been measured to show injuries to knees happen at a much higher rate on turf. Much higher.
Turf being a bit faster isn't an advantage because it affects both teams. If a WR who runs a 4.5 40 on grass runs a 4.45 on turf, he gains no advantage on a CB who also does 4.5/4.45. Although a trashed ACL can end a future.

If you have equal players on both sides, sure the speed advantage is nullified no matter the surface. You indicated grass was an advantage to speed players, I disagree. As far as injuries go, sure. Field Turf is better than than the old Astro Turf, but grass is better than both.
 
I'm not sure where I said grass was an advantage to speed players. I said the risk is higher for players who rely on speed and agility due to potential catastrophic leg injuries. Guys who practice and play on turf generally have shorter careers. That's all. Rhule had stated he was happy to be going to grass fields and now we find out we're not. Our AD said Rhule was in on the conversation, but with Rhule's previous comments on natural vs turf, obviously his opinion didn't count. The duplicity and the way things are done behind the scenes continue to irk me. I am probably alone in my opinion on this and I'm OK with that.
 
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I'm not sure where I said grass was an advantage to speed players. I said the risk is higher for players who rely on speed and agility due to potential catastrophic leg injuries. Guys who practice and play on turf generally have shorter careers. That's all. Rhule had stated he was happy to be going to grass fields and now we find out we're not. Our AD said Rhule was in on the conversation, but with Rhule's previous comments on natural vs turf, obviously his opinion didn't count. The duplicity and the way things are done behind the scenes continue to irk me. I am probably alone in my opinion on this and I'm OK with that.
Not alone...
 
I'm not sure where I said grass was an advantage to speed players. I said the risk is higher for players who rely on speed and agility due to potential catastrophic leg injuries. Guys who practice and play on turf generally have shorter careers. That's all. Rhule had stated he was happy to be going to grass fields and now we find out we're not. Our AD said Rhule was in on the conversation, but with Rhule's previous comments on natural vs turf, obviously his opinion didn't count. The duplicity and the way things are done behind the scenes continue to irk me. I am probably alone in my opinion on this and I'm OK with that.

I must have misread your original post on the matter. My bad.
 
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Coach Rhule has gone on and on AND ON about his love for grass and why that's the way he wants to go. So this sudden reversal is a surprise.

You'll notice that Coach hasn't said Peep about it.

Given all the chatter leading up to this announcement, you'd hope there would be an explanation. But there won't be--because it's a money thing.
 
Coach Rhule has gone on and on AND ON about his love for grass and why that's the way he wants to go. So this sudden reversal is a surprise.

You'll notice that Coach hasn't said Peep about it.

Given all the chatter leading up to this announcement, you'd hope there would be an explanation. But there won't be--because it's a money thing.

Just speculating, but I would guess the additional cost may have had something to do with it.

If you're going to put grass in the stadium in this climate, you're not just putting in grass. I would guess they were originally planning to do something along the lines of what TD Ameritrade stadium in Omaha has. Can't imagine that is low cost to install. Probably had to trim somewhere...or just separating the stadium improvement into "fan based" and "program/player based."
 
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I could do grass at Memorial stadium for $2,000,000. I don't know what the expenses of turf would be.
First million-install sprinkler system, remove and replace sub-grass soil for drainage and perfect dirt -sand-loam-compost mix. Plant seed.
Second million- maintain field while sipping quality bourbon.
Obviously I'm being facetious- but saying it's a financial consideration seems ludicrous.
 
My guess: Grass will be installed in Memorial Stadium after the completion of the 600 million dollar stadium upgrade.
 
Coach Rhule has gone on and on AND ON about his love for grass and why that's the way he wants to go. So this sudden reversal is a surprise.

You'll notice that Coach hasn't said Peep about it.

Given all the chatter leading up to this announcement, you'd hope there would be an explanation. But there won't be--because it's a money thing.
Coach Rhule's opinion on the matter held little weight because he is a lame duck coach on his way out after this season. Fire away Doc. I know you are not going to let this drive by go unchallenged. ;poke
 
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Coach Rhule's opinion on the matter held little weight because he is a lame duck coach on his way out after this season. Fire away Doc. I know you are not going to let this drive by go unchallenged. ;poke
I would, Hunch, but I'm still in serious shock over the end of the urinal troughs. I've been peeing in those things for 56 years.
I don't get why the hell they need to be replaced. You get more guys in and out at halftime with troughs. Why not keep them?
 
I could do grass at Memorial stadium for $2,000,000. I don't know what the expenses of turf would be.
First million-install sprinkler system, remove and replace sub-grass soil for drainage and perfect dirt -sand-loam-compost mix. Plant seed.
Second million- maintain field while sipping quality bourbon.
Obviously I'm being facetious- but saying it's a financial consideration seems ludicrous.

I suspect that the reason for abandoning grass has a lot to do with the imperative of using the stadium for much more than just football games. It would be difficult to impossible to maintain a turf field like that when crowds and performers are continuously walking and dragging equipment off and on the playing surface.

And I suspect Coach Rhule is just swallowing it, because the money isn't limitless, and he needs the funds for the roster.

That said, for me, it is depressing that we are not going to have our grass field after all. But not the biggest deal in the world today, IMO.
 
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