MSU should not trip over the decision to use natural grass in its stadium

In 1991, MSU was commissioned to design a natural turf field inside the Pontiac Silverdome for the 1994 World Cup. Still, back home in East Lansing, Spartan Stadium remains blanketed with fake grass.

Something isn’t right with this picture.

Six years ago the existing turf in Spartan Stadium was lain with the knowledge that within eight short years the university would need to replace the artificial surface. This will forever be the case - laying down, then ripping up. Granted, installing natural grass could cost the university more financially - mowing, fertilizing and irrigating - but many who use the field prefer a grass playing surface.

Forget for a minute that MSU is a land grant college that specializes in agriculture and that by replacing the existing turf with natural grass the Crop and Soil Sciences Department would forever be on display. The university is constantly competing against other institutions for top-notch players and should be responsive to the feelings of potential recruits.

Throughout many football players’ high school careers they get battered and bruised while playing on grass fields. For some, the notion of playing on artificial turf automatically raises a red flag. Many players worry that artificial surfaces cause greater wear and tear on their bodies, even more than on natural surfaces. They worry about potential careers being cut short because they chose to play at a school with an artificial playing surface versus a school with natural grass. With this in mind, it’s good business for MSU to adapt a natural grass playing field.

Sports are a flagship for the university. Therefore, recruitment is pivotal if MSU is going to continue to be a Big Ten powerhouse. By implementing a natural grass program at Spartan Stadium, MSU will only not attract bigger and better players, but it will also attract bigger and better support.

A decision to use natural grass will not only benefit the football team. The effects of natural grass could be felt throughout the athletic department.

It may take several dozen lawn sprinklers, hundreds of feet of hose, a few lawn rollers and many mowers but it will protect athletes from some turf-related injuries.

The field hockey team both practices and plays on the field. Summer athletic camps are held on the field. Intramural sports are sometimes granted use of the field. The Spartan Marching Band practices and plays on the field. Therefore, a decision to replace the existing surface with natural grass would benefit many.

The time has come to rip up the artificial turf, assuring the Spartan faithful that the grass will always be greener on the inside - of the stadium.