Removal of turf probably killed this little tradition

[It's the Journey...]

I believe new goal posts that can be lowered at the end of the game are part of the turf project. So we should not have to worry about knocking some sence into anyone.

[MACMAN]

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.

nice story.
But WTF would keeping people off the so called more durable surface achive? my guess is you will be allowed to walk the crap.

[kdog27]

my guess is you will be allowed to walk the crap.

Hmm.

[Globetrotter]

I, too wish they would just shut up about it unless they have to cover themselves liability wise if someone breaks an ankle jumping over that massive railing!

Anyone remember the goalpost clunking some poor kid on the head as it was torn down following the 2001 beatdown of Toledo? I assume the person was OK--it made it into the yearly highlight video.

Regarding liability, I might be mistaken, but I always thought the fine print on the back of tickets basically says "You're on your own, chief" in legalese.

No matter what it says you are provided with a reasonable amount of protection when it comes to safety ,especially negligence

[h2oville rocket]

my guess is you will be allowed to walk the crap.

Hmm.

Me, I try to walk the walk but NEVER walk the crap.