Washington State’s new surface at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium is about a lot more than a fresh look.
The Cougars have installed AstroTurf’s RootZone system along with an upgraded Schmitz pad underneath, turning what could have been a simple turf replacement into a full-on safety and performance upgrade. Deputy athletic director Brad Corbin said the goal was to create a field that plays more like natural grass while also giving players more protection and a softer feel underfoot.
“What we put in is their RootZone technology,” Corbin said. “The research on it is that it has traction like grass.
It feels like a cloud. It's going to take care of our players from an injury perspective, and the comfort.
It was in dire need (of upgrades). So we moved onto something that has that new technology and that's going to be able to play a little bit better, a little more grass-like.”
AstroTurf describes RootZone as a texturized fiber layer that helps hold infill in place. The company says that design cuts down on rubber splash and infill migration while improving shock absorption, safety, playability and durability.
WSU also added the Schmitz shock pad beneath the surface, giving the field another layer of cushioning. Corbin said that addition makes the field feel even softer and improves the impact response for players.
“We put in a Schmitz pad that went under the turf,” Corbin said. “So we actually did an upgrade to the turf as well with some more cushioning underneath.
That's going to give it a little more shock absorption. That's going to be even more cloud-like.
It feels amazing. It's unlike any turf I've ever walked on.”
The move to AstroTurf initially raised some eyebrows from fans who associate the brand with the older generation of artificial surfaces and lower-leg injuries. Corbin said this version is a different product entirely, and that WSU chose it because of the advances built into the system.
“We learned that AstroTurf had these advancements and had this newer technology,” Corbin said. “We had the opportunity to work with them directly.
And when we looked at it, we wanted the best. We wanted to be able to make sure we were putting up the best turf that we could.
And this was what kept coming up. And this is what was decided on because it gives the most advancements, the best traction, the best feel, the best player safety.”
The expectation is that the surface should last about 10 years, though that timeline will depend on how heavily it gets used. Football games are only part of the equation, since the field will also see other activity such as intramurals.
Maintenance will be ongoing, too. Corbin said AstroTurf will handle annual service, while WSU staff will keep up with more frequent grooming and care to keep the surface in shape.
“AstroTurf will come out and perform maintenance on an annual basis for us,” Corbin said. “But then we have staff on hand that handles our grounds and they'll do the grooming and taking care of the surface on a more frequent basis just to make sure that it stays in good shape.
But again, it kind of goes back to usage, how much you need to be maintaining it. And we obviously hope to get as much use out of it as we can.”
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