ANDERSON — At the opening game of Anderson University’s football season Saturday, a fresh field of green outshined a sea of orange and black.
The match against Taylor University was AU’s first change to show off new artificial turf and lighting at Macholtz Stadium. Fans who came out for the team’s season opener said the improvements would help make home games extra exciting this year.
“I think it looks really impressive,” said sophomore Laura Lovern, who attended the game with a group of friends. It was just her second Ravens football game, but Lovern said she thought the upgrades really enhanced the experience for fans.
“A night game is always better than a day game and the lights make it so much better,” she said.
The university announced in June that it would spend more than $800,000 to replace the stadium’s grass with artificial field turf and install a new lighting system. The funding came out of the more than $86 million raised as part of an ongoing capital projects campaign.
The upgrades will make the stadium a facility used by more groups than just the football team, but the investment could also help the Ravens earn some touchdowns, according to players.
Football team member Chad Dorman said after the game that the artificial grass made a clear difference in game play.
“It’s nice,” he said. “It’s a lot better, a lot faster.”
Marvin and Charlotte Rehmert were in Anderson from Tipp City, Ohio, to cheer on their grandson, No. 54 Troy Rehmert.
“We love the field,” Marvin said. “I think it’s a big improvement from last year, and I hope the boys play better than last year.”
Spectators were granted access to the field after the game to feel the plastic grass with their own hands. Students used the opportunity to snap photos of each other standing on the turf under the bright lights. Fan Darrin Gray got down on his knees and ran his hands through the turf. He liked what he felt.
“I care about the kids, and I know it’s a much safer field,” he said.
The artificial turf will allow the university to get more use out of its stadium. Along with the football program, other varsity sports and intramural teams will practice on the field.
“It looks great,” said junior Jake Tandy. “I think it will be good for years to come for a lot of programs. And it’s just open, so if you want to just come out and throw a football around, you can.”
He added, “The university wants lots of people to use it so they get their money’s worth.”
Saturday was the first AU football game for Josie Santos, a freshman from Portage. And even though Macholtz Stadium is smaller than the football field at her old high school, Santos said she liked the improvements.
She said she hopes the stadium gets new seating, too, something university officials say they want to accomplish but have no set time table for yet.
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September 6, 2008
11:08 p.m.: Ravens fans cheer stadium upgrades
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