DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Huskies will take the field at Huskie Stadium for the 2024 season opener on brand new AstroTurf thanks to a “wall-to-wall” replacement of the playing surface, end zones and sidelines this spring.
Just days after the Huskies wrapped up 2024 spring practices, removal of the turf installed in May 2015 began. The project was completed in late May as NIU football veterans returned to campus for summer workouts.
The new AstroTurf RootZone is the latest unique enhancement to artificial turf, providing grass-like traction for more predictable footing and uniform shock absorption. The RootZone system is a layer of textured fiber that forms a “web” that holds the infill in place, reducing the splash of rubber or sand seen in other artificial turf surfaces. Less movement of the infill also provides improved durability and lower maintenance costs.
“We are excited to have AstroTurf RootZone installed at Huskie Stadium,” said John Cheney, deputy athletic director and executive associate athletic director for operations. “We have been very pleased with the AstroTurf surface installed over the past year at the NIU Soccer Complex and in the infield of Ralph McKinzie Field at Walter and Janice Owens Park. The new surface helps us to ensure the safety and performance of the student-athletes and will enhance the appearance of Huskie Stadium both for our fans in the stands and those watching on TV.”
For the first time since 2001, the entire surface of Huskie Stadium was replaced, including the sidelines all the way to the walls on the east and west sides, north to the Yordon Center entrance and the Brigham Family Victory Plaza, and south to the berm. NIU previously replaced the turf on the field and partial sideline and end zone coverage in 2009 and 2015.
“It’s a tremendous surface, and you can tell how much the technology has improved over the years,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. “It almost feels like grass; I think our players are excited to play on it. It’s clean, it’s consistent, the logos and branding are sharp. We are very pleased with the field so far and excited for our fans to see it on August 31st.”
Fans at the season opener versus Western Illinois will notice the new NIU branding behind the goalposts on both the North and South ends of Huskie Stadium and a return of the Huskies’ primary logo to midfield.
“We are proud to partner with Northern Illinois University in delivering a world-class synthetic turf solution,” said Aaron Klotz Great Lakes Sales Manager for AstroTurf. “The AstroTurf RootZone system is designed to meet the rigorous demands of college football, and we are confident it will exceed expectations in terms of performance and longevity.”
NIU has had an artificial turf playing surface at Huskie Stadium since 1969, NIU’s first year as a “major college” (now Football Bowl Subdivision) institution. On September 20, 1969, the Huskies hosted the first major college football game on artificial turf ever played in the state of Illinois. NIU also played host to the first men’s intercollegiate soccer game on turf ever contested in the state.
For more information about AstroTurf and its innovative turf solutions, please visit astroturf.com.
About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The inventor of synthetic turf, AstroTurf® offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. To learn more, visit astroturf.com.