Danger on the Field

Football players across the country are demanding better playing surfaces.

By:Evan Glynos

Publish date: 03/05/2024

The University of New England located in Biddeford, Maine is a small NCAA division lll college.

The football team’s home stadium is Blue storm stadium located on the Biddeford campus. Blue storm stadium is one of the two turf athletic fields at the university.

Many programs across the country from all levels of play from the NFL to collegiate stadiums have all considered making the costly switch from artificial turf to natural grass. In an ideal world programs should make the switch. In a recent survey, 92% of respondents from the NFL Players Association reported that they preferred a natural grass playing surface. While the University of New England is not an NFL organization, this sentiment bears relevance, as it has been established that a well maintained grass playing surface correlates with fewer non-contact injuries.

Offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Ruest. When asked his thoughts on if Blue Turf is appealing to recruits he responded “Yes, certainly. Not only is the thought of playing on blue turf perceived as cool by most recruits, it is also unique.”

 Ruest also gave some brief history about the process of how UNE got the blue turf. “UNE is one of only four schools in the country that has blue turf in this shade.” The other schools and universities are the University of New Haven, Barrow High School (AK), and Boise State University; whom UNE actually had to obtain permission from prior to installing this turf. Boise State granted permission, as they did not perceive UNE to be a major recruiting rival.” Ruest, also a UNE graduate, was one of the first to play on UNE’s blue turf. 

When Ruest was asked if he thought UNE should consider going to natural grass he responded, “In an ideal world, yes. Realistically, no. It has been established that a well maintained grass playing surface correlates with fewer non-contact injuries. Artificial turf fields are also hotter to the touch than a natural grass field during the summer months. The major selling points for artificial turf are aesthetic appeal, the ease and reduced cost of maintenance, and the high volume of hours that the field can annually withstand. 

Parker Skelton junior 2025 graduate marine biology major. Skelton was a player on the UNE football team this past season and was one of the ones who suffered a non-contact knee injury. 

Skelton stated how his injury occurred, “I was running and planted my leg wrong and my knee gave out.” Skelton was one of the many this past season who suffered a non contact knee injury due to the playing surfaces. 

Skeleton also stated “I can’t say for certain the turf was the cause of my injury, however I do know the grass is softer but the grass for my position is harder to get out of breaks and harder to gain traction depending on weather.” Skelton plays defensive back for the Nor’Easter’s and made the claim of how weather can depend on the difference between grass and turf. 

Skelton finally stated “The blue turf was a big recruiting aspect for me since I was a transfer student.” Skelton entered the transfer portal in the spring of 2023 and chose UNE because of the marine biology program and his love of the blue turf.

Bernard “Bernie” Mulcahy, junior 2025 graduate business major. He was asked on his take about turf issues. Mulcahy when asked if he liked turf or grass better he was very excited about his answer in saying “I might be one of few to say this but I like turf better then grass.” This was stated by Mulcahy because he always grew up “playing on poor condition grass fields and as a punter its softer to plant.”

 For Mulcahy the blue turf was a big selling point in his recruitment process and was one of the major reasons he wanted to join the UNE community. Mulcahy stated “I was always a fan of Boise State football growing up and I always had the D1 dream every kid has and I have always wanted to play on blue turf.” When Mulcahy realized he did not have the D1 option he was still able to live out his dream playing on blue turf at UNE. Although Mulcahy has not sustained a non contact injury from turf he still believes “turf is safer than natural grass.”

Is grass really safer than turf? Yes, but only if the grass is kept in great condition.Great condition grass fields would be a big expense for a tuition based school and not a state funded school. A fair amount of players do still prefer turf over natural grass. Many players are willing to risk injury to have their home stadiums look the best.