Brookings, SD, September 21 – The iconic blue and yellow checkerboard end zones shine even brighter when the South Dakota State Jackrabbits kick off on their new home field. Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium opened this fall, and the new home of the Jackrabbits features a stunning new AstroTurf® playing field. Installation of the 100,000 square foot surface is complete, and the Jackrabbits won their home opener on the new AstroTurf surface. The field can be seen in a recent SDSU video showcasing some of the AstroTurf installation.
The cutting edge football field that SDSU is playing on is the AstroTurf 3D3 synthetic turf system, an innovative design that utilizes three distinct fibers for exceptional performance. For long-lasting aesthetics, AstroTurf 3D3 uses the High Micron monofilament fiber, which contributes to the field’s ability to stand upright over time. For durability, AstroTurf adds in slit film polyethylene fibers. And finally there is the RootZone, a patented and proprietary sub-layer of texturized fibers that holds the sand and rubber infill in place, preventing compaction, splash, and migration. The result is a striking new playing surface that has received high marks for performance, durability, and safety.
“The AstroTurf surfaces we have recently installed in both the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex and the new Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium have been a big part as to why we now have one of the premier football complexes in the nation,” said South Dakota State Director of Athletics Justin Sell. “Using innovative products that include soy-based materials, we have been able to make new connections that tie into our mission as a land-grant institution.”
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium replaces the Jackrabbits’ old home, Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. In addition to a premium synthetic turf field, the new stadium boasts increased capacity and several more modern amenities such as hospitality suites. The $65 million project opened its doors to the public on September 8th with the “Jacks Bash” featuring country music superstar Luke Bryan. South Dakota State won its September 10th home opener against Drake.
Mid-America Sports Construction, a certified AstroTurf distributor, has been handling all necessary site work and surfacing of the new field. Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium becomes the second AstroTurf playing surface on the South Dakota State campus, joining the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.
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About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s recently redesigned website at www.astroturf.com.