With a month to go until college football kicks off, the Washington State University athletics department is making a few changes to the environment at Gesa Field, and allowing the fans to get in on the action.
According to The Seattle Times, while the Cougars install new turf at Gesa Field, they are taking advantage of the clean slate to flip the sideline arrangements. Moving forward, the visiting team will sit in front of the Washington State student section and the home team will set up shop at the south end of the stadium.
“With the new era of the Pac-12, updated conference policies allow us to enhance the game day experience,” WSU athletic director Jon Haarlow said. “Our students are a vital part of the atmosphere, and this change will help create even more energy at Gesa Field alongside our new fan enhancements. We also want to be respectful of our loyal season ticket holders who may wish to relocate, and we’ll do our best to accommodate those requests.”
Washington State ripped up the old turf at Gesa Field following the Cougars’ spring game, and are in the process of installing the new field. The previous turf was first installed in 2014, serving nearly 12 seasons for the Cougars.
While the renovations are underway, Washington State wants to give fans the opportunity to be involved, so the athletics department partnered with The Realest to create upcycled memorabilia of the old turf field.
The Realest is creating collectibles with pieces of the field, including portions of the end zones and the Washington State logo from center field. Fans can either purchase door mats made of the turf or vials of torn up turf with authentication cards.
“We're always looking for creative ways to build authentic connections with our fans,” said Haarlow in a press release. “This limited release gives Cougs the opportunity to own a piece of Gesa Field and celebrate the memories, traditions, and moments that make Cougar Football special.”
