June 2, 2004

Click HERE for construction photos of Franklin Field turf project.

Click Here to access the photo gallery of the renovation of the Franklin Field turf.

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania will renovate the playing surface on Franklin Field this summer as the current field will be removed and replaced with Sprinturf ®. The rejuvenation of what the NCAA recognizes as the oldest college football stadium in the nation still operating for football games will begin in June. Several of Penn's intercollegiate teams, as well as recreational sports, will enjoy the new playing surface starting this fall.

The renovation project starts with the removal of the old playing surface, which began on May 24. There will be no public access to Franklin Field or the running track during the removal of the current playing surface or while the Sprinturf ® is being installed.

"We are looking forward to having a new playing surface installed at Franklin Field this summer," Head Field Hockey Coach Val Cloud said. "After over a year of research and decision making, those involved with the process decided that Sprinturf ® would best suit the needs of everyone who practices and plays on Franklin Field. The field will be firmer and shorter than most other in-fill surfaces and the entire field hockey program is looking forward to our first preseason practice in late August."

According to the Sprinturf® web site, it manufactures, sells, installs and services the first all-rubber infill, artificial turf system that looks, feels and plays like natural grass, only safer and far more durable. The Franklin Field surface will use a mixture of sand and rubber infill. Sprinturf®, based in Wayne, Pa., uses the highest quality components from the synthetic turf fibers to the 100 percent clean all-rubber infill and drainage system. The "G4 Ultrablade System" is a state of the art alternative to natural turf. This environmentally safe playing surface will hold up throughout the entire athletic calendar and is designed for use during several different types of sporting events.

"The entire football program is very excited about the new Sprinturf ® being installed this summer," The George A. Munger Head Coach of Football Al Bagnoli said. "It is state of the art technology and will provide a quality playing surface for years to come."

Sprinturf ® has spent the past 35 years in the sports facilities construction industry and has helped pioneer the migration away from "Astroturf", an artificial playing surface introduced in 1966. It was in the 1980's that Sprinturf ® went from all-sand infill to incorporating rubber to make the fields softer and, more importantly, safer for the athletes. As the 1990's drew to a close, Sprinturf ® had set the bar with its all-rubber infill system.

The first intercollegiate competition will take place on the new playing surface on Sept. 8 when the field hockey team hosts Saint Joseph's.

Written by Mat Kanan