It's a new era for Notre Dame football. The team took to Twitter Thursday morning to give the world its first look at the newly installed FieldTurf at Notre Dame Stadium.
What a beautiful sight #WeAreND #TurfWatch pic.twitter.com/AT0Fpc54rl
ā Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 24, 2014
The school, known for its traditional ways ā the stadium still doesn't have a video board, for example ā has joined the trend and switched to a synthetic surface which is easier to maintain. Notre Dame had played on natural grass throughout its storied history, but it had become increasingly more difficult to justify. According to the South Bend Tribune, brown spots were common and the grass often had to be re-sodded.
The switch to synthetic turf will still include plenty of elements to keep traditionalists happy. According to FieldTurf, the field will include the traditional diagonal striping in both end zones. There will be 18 lines (nine in each end zone), and will be oriented at 42-degree angles toward the Basilica and the Golden Dome. The numbers 18 and 42 represent 1842, the year the University was founded.
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There will be a traditional interlocking ND logo at midfield, and the 35-yard-line marks for kickoffs will include small green shamrocks.
"The interlocking ND is the most recognized symbol of our University and its athletics programs, and we wanted to communicate that to our fans and all those viewing our home games on NBC," said Notre Dame Vice President and Athletics Director, Jack Swarbrick.
Now about that video board...
