Removal of turf probably killed this little tradition

[1987alum]

While I personally love football played on grass, I'm not adamantly against the artifical stuff. There are plenty of reasons - which have been discussed to death here - why it makes sense.

Here's a little story that illustrates my only real gripe about the move to artifical turf. We were sitting at dinner and I told Noah that BG had begun removing the grass from The Doyt in anticipation of putting in Field Turf. Offhandedly, I said, "you know, that probably means we won't be able to go on the field any more after games" because there aren't many places that allow that.

I continued eating, but when I looked up at Noah, he was looking away, because tears were welling in his eyes. "Dad," he said in a wavering voice, "do you think we could go out to Bowling Green before football season and walk on the field at The Doyt just one more time."

Walking onto the field after a home game was one of his favorite things about our trips to BG. We caught B.J. Lane after he carried the Falcons to victory against OU in 2005 and Devon Parks and I exchanged a laugh about both of us wearing #57. We chatted with Pete Winovich and Corey Partridge after last year's nailbiter against Eastern. I can still vividly remember Coach Brandon giving Freak a big old bear hug after the 52-0 win against Western Michigan in 2004.

Seeing the players mingle with family and friends in that North end zone after a game, being on the field and watching the players in front of the band as the alma mater is played, well, it just made it feel like family. I'm sappy, I'm sentimental, but it saddens me that this "tradition" will disappear.

Is this reason enough to have kept real grass? No, I understand that. Still, it's the little things, I think, that make BG football special, at least from this father's perspective. The ability to interact directly with the players as we have for the past several years has been a big one. I fear that is going the way of natural grass.

I'm only thankful I remembered to get some photos of those moments.

[Flipper]

The field turf is more durable than the real grass....so they'll let fewer people on it?

Other stadiums don't allow fans on the field because.....they have field turf? We know this for certain?

I think you're jumping to a lot of conclusions and I'm pretty sure some smart ass is going to post a picture of the guy from "Office Space" who invented the "jumping to conclusions" mat because i used the phrase "jumping to conclusions"

[ZiggyZoomba]

I'm pretty sure some smart ass is going to post a picture of the guy from "Office Space" who invented the "jumping to conclusions" mat because i used the phrase "jumping to conclusions"

[Falconfreak90]

I know for a fact the Rubber Bowl in Akron does not let people on the field after games. Ohio U didn't have a problem with the Freaklings going on the field after the game.

I think it may depend on each school.

'87,
I didn't even think about that possibility! One of the biggest thrills for the boys is the chance to run around on the field after the game. I certainly hope the athletic department doesn't change the policy.

< than 95...

[h2oville rocket]

I think UT lets people on their field after games sometimes but then unless we tear down goal posts how much damage could we do, especially to the turf? Having said that I have very fond memories of my last trip down to the turf at Doyt Perry one November day in 2005.

[JoeFalcon]

They'll let everyone on the field but him:

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I remember going to a game at UC either the first or second year they had the field turf and being able to walk on the field after the game. I think it just depends on the school your at. I hope BG doesn't change the policy

[Falconfreak90]

Having said that I have very fond memories of my last trip down to the turf at Doyt Perry one November day in 2005.

That ending sucked...the game was great but the ending sucked. A true classic...but the ending sucked.

[1987alum]

The field turf is more durable than the real grass....so they'll let fewer people on it?

Other stadiums don't allow fans on the field because.....they have field turf? We know this for certain?

I think you're jumping to a lot of conclusions and I'm pretty sure some smart ass is going to post a picture of the guy from "Office Space" who invented the "jumping to conclusions" mat because i used the phrase "jumping to conclusions"

Flip:

Maybe you're right. I'm taking "circumstantial evidence" including some past experience to get to my conclusion, but I'll admit that I dont' have any direct answer from the BG athletic department, nor have I asked them. I should do that, in fact, I will. Until I get that answer, though, I'll say the safe money is that we won't be allowed on the field after a game.

Stay tuned.

[h2oville rocket]

Having said that I have very fond memories of my last trip down to the turf at Doyt Perry one November day in 2005.

That ending sucked...the game was great but the ending sucked. A true classic...but the ending sucked.

But what did you think about the ending?

[Falcon30]

The field turf is more durable than the real grass....so they'll let fewer people on it?

Other stadiums don't allow fans on the field because.....they have field turf? We know this for certain?

I think you're jumping to a lot of conclusions and I'm pretty sure some smart ass is going to post a picture of the guy from "Office Space" who invented the "jumping to conclusions" mat because i used the phrase "jumping to conclusions"

Flip:

Maybe you're right. I'm taking "circumstantial evidence" including some past experience to get to my conclusion, but I'll admit that I dont' have any direct answer from the BG athletic department, nor have I asked them. I should do that, in fact, I will. Until I get that answer, though, I'll say the safe money is that we won't be allowed on the field after a game.

Stay tuned.

I don't see why they would stop allowing people on it. That makes no sense.

[footballguy51]

I know my old high school, Fremont Ross, put down the artificial turf, and they actually contemplated not holding commencement at the football stadium like they did EVERY year prior to that. Instead, they put down a special plastic surface to setup all of the chairs. It's not unheard of for this to happen. For some reason people feel artificial turf is delicate when it is actually designed to withstand a FOOTBALL GAME!

[BGDrew]

Flip:

Maybe you're right. I'm taking "circumstantial evidence" including some past experience to get to my conclusion, but I'll admit that I dont' have any direct answer from the BG athletic department, nor have I asked them. I should do that, in fact, I will. Until I get that answer, though, I'll say the safe money is that we won't be allowed on the field after a game.

Stay tuned.

No offense, but it seems like at this point you're trying to just come up with reasons to discount the new turf. There's plenty of evidence of fans being allowed on the field after the game at other schools. It'll depend on BG, not the field.

[1987alum]

No offense, but it seems like at this point you're trying to just come up with reasons to discount the new turf. There's plenty of evidence of fans being allowed on the field after the game at other schools. It'll depend on BG, not the field.

No offense taken, Drew. The new turf is coming, so there's no reason to debate if it's a good idea or a bad idea. Like I said, at the end of the day, I understand the rationale for the switch and I'm OK with it. And I hope Christopher proves me wrong and says we'll be able to run out on the field with the players after the game. But like Hans Solo said "I've got a bad feeling about this."

And you're absolutely right, it WILL depend on BG, not the manufacturer of the field. Again, time will tell.

[Zom]

Whatever is going to happen, I think '87's post is one of the neater stories I've caught around here for a while.

To quote the vernacular, "good one", '87. You ought to think about taking writing up for a living!