For years, Haskell Field has been a hallmark of Shorecrest Athletics. In recent news, the home of the back-to-back-to-back state champion football team and the state runner-up girls soccer team is getting a makeover. The field’s renovation will take place over the summer, although preparations have already begun. 

     Workers from Sports Construction Group (SCG) Fields have already dismantled the scoreboard to get ready to install a new turf field over the summer. SCG Fields is offering a paid internship for students to help. According to SCG’s website, students will “work on-site and alongside SCG’s design/build construction experts” as well as “gain valuable skills that will help you stand out to colleges and future employers.” Sophomore Alex Lewis said, “[The internship] is a good idea because it is a good way to get the community involved.”

      The decision to make the switch from grass to turf comes after much deliberation. Athletic Director Anthony McCall cited that the field usage includes the football, soccer, and track & field teams, as well as physical education classes for Upper and Middle School and a local flag football league. The aforementioned usage places a tremendous amount of stress on the field. The decision eliminates that concern. 

     The new turf will also make a huge difference in terms of maintenance. Grass on the field will never have to be cut, lines will never have to be redrawn, and most importantly, the field will stay in pristine condition without the threat of being damaged by teams playing and practicing on it year-round. Even after the heaviest of downpours in the fall, the field will stay perfect because of the high-tech drainage systems to be designed under it. 

     Shorecrest football players have expressed their excitement about the new field. Sophomore and varsity football player Garrison Davis said, “I have played on a turf field before. In my position, I like them more … It is much better to play on than just a grass field.” 

     McCall said, “We envision football using the turf field as the primary practice site.” Davis was extremely happy with this. He said, “Practicing where you play makes a huge difference.”      

     However, Davis expressed some reservations about the temperature of the field, given his past experience on turf fields in the summer. Turf field material contains black crumb rubber, which attracts the sun and barrages the players on the surface with heat. Sprinklers on and around the field can mitigate that issue.