FIELD OF THE YEAR COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Our goal as the sports turf team at Duke University is always to provide a quality surface that our coaches and athletes come to expect . There should never be a doubt in their minds when they walk onto Brooks Field that they will receive just that . They should have confidence in their use for practices and games that our field will perform at the highest level . With every cut made on a pass route or every battle at the line of scrimmage , there is an assurance our surface will stand firm .
With a new coaching staff comes new expectations and new strategies that are implemented for the team . Even though we have to be malleable to a degree to meet the needs of the ever-changing college football industry , we have to remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence .
This year was no different , and we were handed trials we haven ’ t had to navigate in quite some time . With higher levels of use and a new paint scheme , sodding post spring was a necessity . We try our best to minimize significant surface disruption throughout the year , but it was prudent to be able to have the field ready for fall camp .
At Duke , we push the limits regarding cultural practices , and with them we make the field work for its glory . Our Latitude 36 bermudagrass is mowed low and is regularly aerated , verticut and topdressed to achieve the surface we desire . However , late-season performance is tough in the transition zone without ryegrass overseeding . Bermudagrass wants to go to sleep , but we utilize growth covers and foliar nutrients to keep us actively growing through late November . This was a decision made years ago that we have pressed fully into to be able to provide a high-performance football field late into the season . We strive to stay ahead of the curve with maintenance practices and technology , and rarely shy away from trying something new . Our team is not averse to change as long as it doesn ’ t derail our pursuit .
We are proud of the work we do and the field we turn out for our team every day . This is why we believe that Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium is the best college football field in the country .
— Ian Christie , CSFM , superintendent sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2024 | SportsField Management
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