Perry stadium to get $966,000 synthetic surface

5/8/2007

BOWLING GREEN - Bowling Green State University assistant vice president/director of athletics Greg Christopher said the department will replace the 41-year-old natural grass playing field at Doyt L. Perry Stadium with the synthetic grass surface FieldTurf in time for the 2007 season.

Cost of the project is expected to be $966,000.

"We have been in discussions for several months about the future of our playing surface at Perry Stadium," said Christopher.

"FieldTurf is a product that our players and coaches have a great deal of confidence in.

"The new surface also benefits BGSU on two fronts. It allows us greater flexibility with the stadium, meaning many of our teams can practice on the surface and Perry Stadium can host more events which helps the department generate new revenues.

"Secondly, we expect to see cost savings over time related to maintenance of the old surface."

BGSU is among the many universities and professional organizations that have chosen FieldTurf as their playing surface over the past eight years.

BGSU will be the 29th NCAA Division I school and sixth in the MAC to have FieldTurf installed in its home football stadium.

"We have long prided ourselves regarding the grass surface at Perry Stadium and it has served us well over the last 41 years," said Christopher.

"The surface itself, which has never been replaced, is in outstanding shape and will be used at other facilities on campus.

"Our concern is with the condition of the existing drainage system, which also was installed in 1966, and we believe this change best serves the interests of our program."

Robyn Flewelling has been named an assistant coach for the University of Toledo women's basketball team. She replaces Stephanie White, who resigned after serving as an assistant coach for the past two seasons to take a similar position in the WNBA.

"Robyn is an impressive young coach with a bright future," UT coach Mark Ehlen said. "I really like her energy, intelligence and desire to learn, all qualities that lead to success in this business."

The Okemos, Mich., native spent two seasons at Western Michigan, where she was the director of basketball operations.

She is a 2004 graduate of Davidson College in Boone, N.C. A starting guard for the Wildcats, she finished her career third in school history in assists (312), eighth in steals (140), and 12th in free-throw percentage (75.5).