Hey guys, the grass is dying, what should we do? Time to break out the spray paint!
IIRC, the first astroturf surface put in back in the late 60s/early 70s was paid for by the Varsity Club or some such outside organization. The Athletic Dept wouldn't even cough up for a decent playing surface.
Oh I totally believe that. We had grass when the stadium opened in the early 60s, and then had that crappy Astroturf for probably 25 years. The end zone font never changed, so I assume they just kept it the same for that entire time frame. The only thing that changed was when Cam arrived, and they stuck that gigantic oval logo in the middle of the field.
Frankly, the Athletic Department budget at that time might not have had enough to cover the expense. By the way, the Varsity Club, which plays a significant role in fund raising, is part of IU Athletics and not an outside organization.
I was of the understanding that the Varsity Club was a part of the IU Alumni Association, separate from the Athletic Department. BICBW.
UM, it could well be that your recollection of the inability of the Athletic Department's finances to support a new surface for the football field is correct. It was about 1966 that the new outdoor track complex was completed at considerable expense and hosted the 1966 NCAA outdoor track and field championship meet. I do not know how that was paid for, but financings were less complex then than in modern times.
I disliked it from the git-go. Even today, I refer to it as "Cam's lay down logo."
I like how you could see the old IU logo underneath the oval. And even when they painted over the oval on the old scoreboard, you could still see that!
It does actually appear that they replaced that turf after Wyche left, but either way, it sucked.
You’re welcome.
Sports science will be getting a nice new space in the south end zone, accompanied by one of my all-time favorite things: the BOD POD:
Oh wow those black jerseys are nice. Black Jersey, black helmet, white pants. They need to bring those back 1 game a year lol. I’ve never seen those. Too young.
I like how you could see the old IU logo underneath the oval. And even when they painted over the oval on the old scoreboard, you could still see that!
Oh no. VBG
They also played a video of Bill Mallory addressing the team before that Kentucky game, and I believe “kick their ass” blared out through the speakers. It was great. And yes that’s Connor Cook’s dad.
He spews confidence and obviously gets damn good results. That stat down at IMG academy in Florida was mind boggling.
