Turf may change the games
Molly Fraher
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: News
Of course the question that still remains is whether or not the teams' records will differ from last year's and whether or not this turf will have anything to do with it.
"We're no strangers to turf fields," Mulholland said, eschewing any correlation between future records and the new surface.
Freshman Jacob Ferry shares Mulholland's confidence.
"The transition should not be hard because we play quite a few away games on turf already and not all the games are going to be on turf," said Ferry. "So some games and practices will still be on grass."
All teams view the new stadium as a positive rather than a negative.
"The turf will also allow us to potentially host high school championships," said Landon. "It will help us recruit quality student athletes in that respect."
Both Landon and head men's soccer coach John Werner are looking to strengthen their programs in hopes of bringing home more NAC championship titles in the future.
"Because we have tended to be a smaller, quick and skillful team, I think our players will adapt very quickly," said Werner, whose players have already started thinking about the impact the turf will have on them.
"The turf will help our program because it allows for our individual skills along with team skills to develop," sophomore men's soccer player Colin Alfred said.
There is however, more than one catch.
"Four fall varsity teams using it as our home site will be a bit tricky to schedule," Landon said.
But according to CSC's Athletic Director Deanna Tyson in past press releases, all four teams, including the brand new football program, should be able to make it work smoothly.
Another area of concern is artificial turf related injuries that CSC's athletes might face once they step on the field.
Mazzola claims that the turf gets hotter than grass, especially in direct sunlight. And she and Hertford agree that falling on the turf results in more severe injuries than if one had fallen on natural grass.
According to an article on the suite101.com Web site, athletes who play on a turf surface are more prone to suffer from the following injuries; turf toe, muscle trauma and turf burn. The article goes on to state that both turf toe and muscle trauma are connected to the surface resistance of the turf, and that wearing proper footwear can lower the individual's risks.
Despite the scheduling conflicts that might arise and risks of new types of injuries, the overall consensus is that student athletes are looking forward for the chance to play on the turf and improve their games.
"I'm excited," said Mazzola, "I see (turf) being an important aspect in raising the level of sports here at Castleton."
"We're no strangers to turf fields," Mulholland said, eschewing any correlation between future records and the new surface.
Freshman Jacob Ferry shares Mulholland's confidence.
"The transition should not be hard because we play quite a few away games on turf already and not all the games are going to be on turf," said Ferry. "So some games and practices will still be on grass."
All teams view the new stadium as a positive rather than a negative.
"The turf will also allow us to potentially host high school championships," said Landon. "It will help us recruit quality student athletes in that respect."
Both Landon and head men's soccer coach John Werner are looking to strengthen their programs in hopes of bringing home more NAC championship titles in the future.
"Because we have tended to be a smaller, quick and skillful team, I think our players will adapt very quickly," said Werner, whose players have already started thinking about the impact the turf will have on them.
"The turf will help our program because it allows for our individual skills along with team skills to develop," sophomore men's soccer player Colin Alfred said.
There is however, more than one catch.
"Four fall varsity teams using it as our home site will be a bit tricky to schedule," Landon said.
But according to CSC's Athletic Director Deanna Tyson in past press releases, all four teams, including the brand new football program, should be able to make it work smoothly.
Another area of concern is artificial turf related injuries that CSC's athletes might face once they step on the field.
Mazzola claims that the turf gets hotter than grass, especially in direct sunlight. And she and Hertford agree that falling on the turf results in more severe injuries than if one had fallen on natural grass.
According to an article on the suite101.com Web site, athletes who play on a turf surface are more prone to suffer from the following injuries; turf toe, muscle trauma and turf burn. The article goes on to state that both turf toe and muscle trauma are connected to the surface resistance of the turf, and that wearing proper footwear can lower the individual's risks.
Despite the scheduling conflicts that might arise and risks of new types of injuries, the overall consensus is that student athletes are looking forward for the chance to play on the turf and improve their games.
"I'm excited," said Mazzola, "I see (turf) being an important aspect in raising the level of sports here at Castleton."
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