Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/2/2010 at 10:51am

JONESBORO - Installation of new and upgraded state-of-the-art field turf inside ASU?Stadium is still in progress, but is nearing completion with just a few final adjustments and steps remaining before the football field is ready for the start of the Red Wolves' 2010 fall camp.

The installation process, which began April 25 after the conclusion of A-State's spring football camp, has been entirely completed with the exception of some logo alterations that will be followed by the application of a sand base and "no-flyout" rubber.  The project remains on schedule with an expected finish date of late July.

The new Geo-Surfaces field turf will be slightly thicker than the previous product, which was installed when ASU?originally transitioned from a grass field to an artificial playing surfaces prior to the 2006 season.  It will have an enhanced look that can already be seen with the addition of a large Red Wolves logo on each 25-yard line and a black trim that outlines the field.

The large white "ARKANSAS STATE" lettering in the red end zones, yard lines, yard-line numbers and hash marks are also finished, while the large A-State logo that will again be featured in the center of the field and two Sun Belt Conference logos are still undergoing some changes.

"We continue to monitor the field's installation to ensure the final product is exactly what we envisioned from the outset of this project," said ASU?Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee.  "We are confident that once a few alterations are made and the final steps are completed, the new field's appearance and quality will be a tremendous asset to our football program."

A-State opens its 2010 season Sept. 4 at Auburn and will play Louisiana-Monroe Sept. 18 in its home opener.