By Cory Spaugh
Sports Writer
(Editors Note: The following is the first of a two-part series where Western Carolinian sports writer Cory Spaugh gathers opinions on the new turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field)
Eight years since the last makeover, Western Carolina unveiled a new playing surface at E.J Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field during homecoming weekend on Oct. 4. The new Astroturf was originally scheduled to be installed before the season, but was delayed until two weeks ago, immediately following the football game against Liberty.
After a tough loss to the Flames on Sept. 13, crews from Carolina Green Corporation moved in to begin ripping up the old turf. The installation continued at breakneck speed over the two weeks since the Catamounts last played at home, while WCU played on the road, in order to have the field installed in time for the homecoming game against the Samford Bulldogs.
The new turf features synthetic blades of grass that are woven on top of a nylon woven base, filled over with dirt, to provide the players stability and secure footing. The new fierce Catamount logo is displayed at midfield, along with the signature block lettering of WCU under it. The end zones, while originally planned to sport the word Catamounts, will remain solid purple for the remainder of the season. An artist’s rendering of the end zone art was applied to the field during construction, but it looked different as planned from the stands where the Catamount fans view the game.
The Catamount football team got to test the new field for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 1 in a team practice.
“The quality is better. It’s brand new; it’s going to be nice,” said head football coach Dennis Wager. “It is certainly a needed thing for our facility. It certainly improves our facility. This turf is as modern and as any that there is, so we are looking forward to the chance to play on it and open up with a conference game here at home.”
WCU athletic director Chip Smith was also pleased with the field.
“The previous surface had reached the end of its life expectancy (about 8 years) and needed to be replaced,” said Smith. “The ability to incorporate our new athletic logo onto a new field proved to be great timing. In addition, we anticipate it to be a longer-wearing product that should last for more extended period of time, lengthening the replacement cycle and saving money.”
Smith believes the new turf will improve the playing conditions for the Catamounts and will attract new recruits.
“The new surface is state-of-the-art and provides excellent traction and cushioning for the team,” said Smith. “In regard to recruiting, it reinforces the fact that Western Carolina is a first class institution in all aspects of campus life. Facilities are as important in athletic recruiting as they are in influencing all prospective students to attend WCU. This is just one part of that image.”
No future renovations of Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field are planned as of right now.
“We constantly work to maintain and take care of our facilities as much as possible, however, there are not any major renovations planned,” said Smith. “Our facilities are a highly visible component of the impression people have of the university. Whitmire Stadium, specifically, is host to the largest groups of visitors to campus, so it is important to have a safe, functional and pleasant environment. For example, this year, in addition to the field surface, we have replaced some fences behind one end zone. This change allows people to move from one side to the other within the stadium, which had been a problem.”
As of press time, results of how Western faired on the new turf against Samford were unavailable.
ing as they are in influencing all prospective students to attend WCU. This is just one part of that image.”
No future renovations of Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field are planned as of right now.
“We constantly work to maintain and take care of our facilities as much as possible, however, there are not any major renovations planned,” said Smith. “Our facilities are a highly visible component of the impression people have of the university. Whitmire Stadium, specifically, is host to the largest groups of visitors to campus, so it is important to have a safe, functional and pleasant environment. For example, this year, in addition to the field surface, we have replaced some fences behind one end zone. This change allows people to move from one side to the other within the stadium, which had been a problem.”
As of press time, results of how Western faired on the new turf against Samford were unavailable.
