Holy Cross Athletes Enjoy New State-of-the-Art Turf Field

The football, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and men’s soccer teams are enjoying the benefits of practicing on the newly constructed “third generation” infill synthetic turf this season. Unlike the AstroTurf facility just above it, this field is infilled with a durable granular material to more accurately model natural grass.

Infill synthetic turf fields are currently used by 21 NFL and more than 50 NCAA Division I teams because, unlike grass fields, they are ideal for all-weather play. Throughout this season, the new turf field will serve as an alternative practice area for the football team. Alumni, parents, and friends of Holy Cross generously donated $2 million to pay for the turf field.

“With the weather we experience during the academic year, the new facility gives us a reliable surface on which to play,” says head football coach Tom Gilmore. “In inclement weather, grass fields become soft and muddy, thus changing the footing, negatively affecting play and increasing the likelihood of certain injuries.”

The new turf is an alternative to both the grass fields and the AstroTurf, so teams that use both types of fields now have another practice facility. These programs will no longer have to compete with one another for the optimal practice times.

Student-athletes are already relieved to be rid of their inconvenient early-morning and late-night practices. Many are also excited about the new infill turf because it will take less of a toll on their bodies than the AstroTurf has in the past. “The new turf is much easier to run on and is gentler on your joints and knees,” says lacrosse midfielder Conor McKenna ’11.

Holy Cross athletes are also excited about the facility’s state of the art “green” sport lighting, press box and sound system, and bleacher seating for 300 to 400 spectators.

“From our teams’ perspective it’s a huge shot in the arm playing in a venue with bleachers, sound system and an awesome view of Worcester. It feels like a new home.  There is no doubt that it is also one of the best facilities in the league,” says Adam Pascal, men’s lacrosse head coach.

Both Pascal and Gilmore say that the new facility will help recruit top student-athletes from across the nation.

By Elizabeth Rodgers ’11

Photography by Elizabeth Rodgers '11