Finally, Help for Shield-Watkins Field

[jordan4vols]

Per Hubbs
Of course, one of the biggest topics of the week has been the playing conditions on Shields-Watkins Field last week against North Texas and what they might be like next week against Vanderbilt. On Monday, officials met again to examine the conditions and what could be done about them. Director of the field Darren Seybold and his boss director of facilities Kevin Zurcher met with former field manager Bobby Campbell, along with a professor from the turf grass program on the ag campus, inside Neyland Stadium to examine things. It was the first time Campbell has been consulted but Seybold has had conversations with a couple of professors from the ag campus in the past. Tennessee officials also have consulted with the Tennessee Titans, which once had the NFL's worst field but since has greatly improved a playing surface that receives lots of extra use.

The bottom line from most experts we have spoken with is that there's basically nothing they can do to “fix” the field this coming week for Vanderbilt --- and suffice to say people on campus are intently monitoring the weather forecast for next week as well, we're told, breathing a mixed sigh of relief for the kickoff time. From an atmosphere and recruiting standpoint, a night game would have been preferable. But there was concern about potential field conditions at night --- especially if temps were at or below freezing.

To improve playing conditions there remains talk of putting sand on the field like they did the practice field (as we mentioned in last week's war room). That however is not a complete fix as we saw guys continue to slip some on the practice field this week.

The focus and the goal at this point is to seek any option to make the field better for next Saturday then following the season there will be more discussions on trying to fix and prevent the issues next season. Those we have spoken with indicate no one is advocating or pushing for an artificial surface. However as it was said to Volquest this week, if the choice is the conditions as they are now and turf then the answer is going to be different.

Once the season is over, it's going to be very interesting to see who they consult with and how that's done to prepare for 2016.

In addition to examining all things field, Tennessee has examined the cleats as well to make sure they aren't contributing to the problem.

“We want to make sure we look at every possible reason for why our players might not be able to play at full speed,” one source said.

And the issues of the field has been brought up to the others as well. It's our understanding that either this year or in a recent year, a visiting SEC team filed a letter with the league office in regards to Tennessee's field, according to a source.

And the foundation has been laid by Hubbs if it is to happen.

 

[WildTurkey]

And the foundation has been laid by Hubbs if it is to happen.

I cannot imagine that it is that difficult to grow grass. There are a TON of grass fields in Tennessee and other region/climate-similar states that are used without problem.

If they make the move to turf, it will be because someone wanted turf - not because grass couldn't be maintained.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I definitely think weed should be legalized everywhere.

Oh...you guys weren't talking about that kind of grass....

 

[OrangeU]

Well, it depends on the health of your lawn. If it is very healthy and growing rapidly like it should be during the warm months, then you can aerate during its growing season. Aerating is not necessary regularly if you are not exposing it to heavy foot traffic or regular recreational use. The main goal of aeration is to relieve compaction from over-use like a putting green, fairway, or football field that is constantly being walked or beaten with a 9 iron by some hacker. A regular residential lawn doesn't need regular aeration. Instead, it needs regular de-thatching and a lot of food. There are a few ways you can de-thatch: bagging when you mow, rent a de-thatcher but be careful haha, a steel rake, or you can lightly burn it right before it starts to emerge. A healthy bermuda lawn should require mowing 2-3 times a week at the same height and should be fed 5-6 times a year: once in the Fall and early Spring then 3-4 times during its growing season. You can burn Bermuda by applying a heavy nitrogen fertilizer during very hot days so be careful and do it right before watering or a good rain. Good luck good sir!

Thank you! It's very green and thick, and you nailed it that it grows rapidly. It's nothing for me to cut it twice in a 7 day span. I NEVER bag when I mow, tho, so I'll start doing that. Oh, and you about pegged my lawn service as well. They fertilize about 5 or 6 times a year, and then we get pre-emergent 2-3 times (just got one a couple of weeks ago, but I don't pay close enough attn to what they spray every time, honestly.). They only spray about every 5-6 wks during the warm mos. and 2-3 times total when it's colder. I may also take my buddy up on burning my yard....lightly...carefully.....this winter. I wouldn't take it on without a few friends with all the water hoses we can muster, and NO beers.....lol. Thanks again. :hi:

 

[TnScooby]

And the foundation has been laid by Hubbs if it is to happen.

The "foundation" wasn't laid by Hubbs..The foundation was laid weeks ago and it wasn't Hubbs...Artificial Turf will never be an option when it has been proven that natural grass can and will serve just fine when properly handled..

JMHO

 

[Biopsyman]

Just plant crab grass.. Lots awful, but never gives up

 

[Plecoptera]

Dallisgrass is a perennial grass and it comes back every year from roots so a spring applied preventer to take care of annual grasses like crabgrass that grow from seed each year does not work.

Metsulfuron is a selective herbicide that will kill bahiagrass in bermuda, centipede, and zoysia yards. Almost every yard in my neighborhood has centipede grass and bahia is a real problem. Several have sprayed with metsulfuron and it has completely eliminated the bahia. Dallisgrass is similar to bahia so metsulfuron might work. There are other post-emergent herbicides that will work as well. The following is a link to a UT Extension publication for dallisgrass control:

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP642.pdf

 

[Plecoptera]

Just plant crab grass.. Lots awful, but never gives up

Bahia grass and dallisgrass are right up there with crab grass for toughness, they may even be more drought tolerant. Bahia has a huge tap root and loves heat. A few years ago during the worst part of the drought in South Georgia, the bahia was the only green thing in my yard. It finally got so bad that even the bahia started to wither.

 

[NEVolFan]

The way this is unfolding its like watching grass grow

I hear ya. Thinking we go back to clean slate... an outfit I did time with back in the day, had a compound that when sprayed would take out trees and all sorts of stuff. I can hook em up, once they figure out they need to kill it all and start fresh.

 

[landscapingvol]

The "foundation" wasn't laid by Hubbs..The foundation was laid weeks ago and it wasn't Hubbs...Artificial Turf will never be an option when it has been proven that natural grass can and will serve just fine when properly handled..

JMHO

Would much rather have artificial turf but I know I am in the minority haha

 

[508mikey]

Hard to believe only 2 MLB teams still use fake surface -- watching a clip of a crew installing new sod at Fenway Park for the ND and BC football game was really interesting and makes me wonder why the goober UT has cant pull off something like that

 

[508mikey]

Pic pertaining to my above post

 

[508mikey]

more updated one

 

[landscapingvol]

A newly installed turf could withstand a game or two but not continuous usage especially when it is over-saturated. It is what it is, sometimes you can redo a field too often.

 

[tallvolball98]

I cannot imagine that it is that difficult to grow grass. There are a TON of grass fields in Tennessee and other region/climate-similar states that are used without problem.

If they make the move to turf, it will be because someone wanted turf - not because grass couldn't be maintained.

Exactly just go back to what they were doing 4 years ago. It's not rocket surgery! Duh

 

[jordan4vols]

The "foundation" wasn't laid by Hubbs..The foundation was laid weeks ago and it wasn't Hubbs...Artificial Turf will never be an option when it has been proven that natural grass can and will serve just fine when properly handled..

JMHO

Are you new to Hubbs speak? Hubbs as the mouthpiece for the university only speaks when told to and only floats out information like that when authorized to do so.

That being said it doesn't mean they are definitely doing turf. I would say it's 80/20 it stays grass.

Personally I don't care either way

 

[TennesseeOrange]

Metsulfuron is a selective herbicide that will kill bahiagrass in bermuda, centipede, and zoysia yards. Almost every yard in my neighborhood has centipede grass and bahia is a real problem. Several have sprayed with metsulfuron and it has completely eliminated the bahia. Dallisgrass is similar to bahia so metsulfuron might work. There are other post-emergent herbicides that will work as well. The following is a link to a UT Extension publication for dallisgrass control:

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP642.pdf

Glyphosate after Bermuda dormancy.

 

[Evet Vols]

Any time you want to take a drive and make a list of all the golf courses in the South that have overseeded greens? I would highly suggest it before you pretend to be an "expert" hahaha

I think this is awesome - the great bentgrass overseeded debate of 2015.