Turf field repairs overdue

EMU athletes and administrators are both concerned about the dismal state of the outdated turf field.

Its condition has already lowered the frequency of home games and at one point caused concern that all games might have to be played elsewhere.

This season has dealt the EMU field hockey team a schedule of 14 away games and only five home games. Aside from this being tiring for the team, it makes it harder for the student body to show its support for the program. Nevertheless, EMU is fortunate to have the five home games that it does, since in the opinion of one top local official our field is unplayable.

Looking out across the field our eyes rest upon the symbol in the middle of the field, reminding us that at one time EMU used to be EMC. This symbol shows that our field is at least 11 years old in a time when it is recommended that the turf of the field should be replaced every eight to ten years. When the field was installed 15-18 years ago, it was supposed to last for approximately 12 years. Though officials might deem the field unplayable, it is ultimately up to the institution to determine whether or not the field will be played on. As a field decreases in playability the liability of the institution increases should a player be injured on the field.

When asked about the playability of the field, field hockey midfielder Jonalyn Denlinger made a face of anguished disgust. When Athletics Director David King arrived at EMU this year, he had the turf field evaluated to make certain it would be playable. Upon receiving the report back, he looked into the possibility of playing all the games away, playing elsewhere on campus, or trying to find a different field at another nearby institution. It was finally determined that the field would be repaired. "We feel that it is playable with the full intention of repairing it for next year," he said.