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new surface. Coach Hill-Eley says he not only is pleased that his squad will play on the state-of-the-art surface, but he thinks it will be a big plus to the community. “This surface will allow us increased opportunities to open our doors to the community,” Coach Hill-Eley says. “I also believe this will be a strong recruiting tool for the program. Hughes Stadium may also become an attractive training option for an NFL team.”
The SAFEPLAY surface consists of polyethylene fibers forming a dense, grass-like surface ideal for traction. SAFEPLAY is designed to withstand extreme weather and also is resistant to insect infestation, rot, fungus and mildew. The finished playing surface has the look of freshly mowed grass.
No less an authority than former Super Bowl and NCAA champion coach Barry Switzer proclaims SAFEPLAY “the safest synthetic surface on the market.” “It’s perfect,” says University of Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bob Stoops, who adds, “The players love it. Everybody ran around on it real well. I thought it was real good.” Harry Everett, head football coach at Richardson High School in Texas, says, “There’s no question about the quality of it. Now the band, the drill team, the soccer team are all using it with no problem. The field just gets better with time as you break it in.” Morgan State Head Football Coach Donald Hill-Eley is excited about the
“That’s the longest warranty in the industry. We can offer a 10-year warranty because the surface is virtually maintenance-free,” Ford says. “The university will ultimately save money because there will no longer be a need for reseeding, watering, lining, and the other maintenance demands of a conventional field. The new surface comes with a drainage system capable of handling as much as 20 inches of water per hour. As long as the sewer lines are clear, there should never be a puddle on the field, regardless of how long or hard it may rain. Additionally, the durability of the field would allow for the football team, band, drill team, cheerleaders and [others] to practice on the field without concern for wear and tear.”
Raymond Ford is the SAFEPLAY Operations Manager. Ford says the polyethylene surface is extremely athlete-friendly. “Some coaches tell us that the surface may actually be safer than a natural grass surface,” he says.
Morgan State University becomes the first institution in Maryland to have the SAFEPLAY artificial surface. The surface will be aesthetically pleasing to the fans and athletically pleasing to coaches and players. For what is already one of the best football facilities in this area and one of the best in the MidEastern Athletic Conference, this surface will be the icing on the cake.
Ford says SAFEPLAY backs up the surface with a 10-year warranty.
FALL FOOTBALL TICKET PRICES Season Individual Homecoming Ticket Game Game Prices Package Prices 10/18/03
FA L L
2003
29
General Admission $80.00
$15.00
$20.00
MSU Faculty/Staff $65.00
$12.00
$15.00
Senior Citizen (60 & Over)
$65.00
$12.00
$15.00
Student Admission $55.00 (With ID)
$10.00
$15.00
Morgan State University • National Alumni Association, Inc.
he Morgan State University football team is making history during the 2003 season. This year the team is playing on a newly installed, state-of-the-art artificial playing surface. SAFEPLAY Plus International, Inc. spent much of the summer installing Morgan’s artificial surface that has drawn rave reviews from all over the country. SAFEPLAY installs premiumquality synthetic turf for a variety of athletic applications. They have installed turf for other collegiate institutions, including the University of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee. In the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys all have SAFEPLAYinstalled facilities. You can now add Morgan State to the list.
ALUMNINews
MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL GETS FIRM FOOTING