Eastern Washington’s Red Turf Football Field – Thumbs Down
College football season is upon us and what a great feeling it is! There’s just an exciting feeling about football season that brings out the happiness in millions of Americans. However, this season, one team will have people seeing red instead.
The Easter Washington Eagles will unveil their new red Sprinturf this Saturday against Montana. Trying to be the next Boise State (who opted for a blue turf field rather than a traditional, more natural green turf), EWU has decided to take it one step further and place red turf on their football field. It is a bit hard on the eyes I must say. I’m not entirely sure what they were thinking. Let’s hope this isn’t a trend.
To see real life pictures, check out the red football turf EWU’s Flickr account.
Now, see Colin Cowherd, EWU’s Favorite Alum and star of ESPN’s “Sportsnation,” promote the red turf in this Youtube video.
on September 14, 2010 on 10:50 am
I disagree. I think the field has brought them attention in a good way. Traditionalists may not like it, but they’ve had stories on ESPN, in the Wall Street Journal, NY Times and USA Today. All because of the Red and complimentary at that. Their web cam focused on the construction of the field generated over 2.1 million hits over the 8-weeks. It is marketing at its best.
on September 14, 2010 on 11:15 am
I don’t disagree that they have received great marketing out of it. It is something very new and uncommon, so of course it will get press, tweets, news coverage, etc about it. Heck, I wrote about it and that’s press for it. I just think watching a football game played on red turf might be tough on the eyes since it is something never seen before. It definitely will take some getting used to. But, maybe it won’t be as bad. I guess we’ll see this Saturday for their home opener.
on September 14, 2010 on 1:02 pm
I agree that it’s great marketing. Before Boise State was a nationally known team for their play on the field, they were known among college football fans as the team that has the blue field (which got national attention from the bowl game that is played there every winter).
I think there is even a good chance it will pay off in the long term in the extra awareness it brings to the program. On the other hand it doesn’t change the fact that the field is ugly – a pretty big price to pay for the extra impressions and attention.
on September 14, 2010 on 1:22 pm
It has already paid off. Tickets sales have tripled. The first game sold out in 23 minutes. Eastern has had tens of millions of media impressions. It has helped in recruiting already. In the end will will have to win, that is a given.
on December 29, 2010 on 1:50 pm
[...] Posts Eastern Washington's Red Turf Football Field – Thumbs DownThumbs Down – Lame FacebookersNo-Melt Chocolate – Thumbs UpOld Spice Youtube Responses – Thumbs [...]