The Indiana football program is receiving another upgrade to their facilities. The east practice field — one of of two outdoor fields north of Memorial Stadium — is under construction as FieldTurf is replacing natural sod. This is another example of IU caring about and investing in the football program.
Kevin Wilson, who now has his first season as head coach behind him, can use this change as another selling point on the recruiting trail. Despite going 1-11 last season and failing to beat a BCS team, this is a project under construction as well, and will take time.
Started Construction for Our Outdoor Practice Field!Big Time Commitment from Our Admin. One More Piece of Our Program twitter.com/IUCoachWilson/…
— Kevin Wilson (@IUCoachWilson) June 22, 2012
Wilson first announced the field upgrade on his twitter account, @IUCoachWilson, where he has become rather active and savvy with over the last month.
The addition of FieldTurf on the practice field isn’t coming from the IU budget according to our friend Dustin Dopirak of the Bloomington Herald-Times. Athletic Director Fred Glass told him that the $600,000 project, due to be completed before camp begins, is being footed completely by private donations. Glass also reiterated to Dopirak the importance of football at IU and the importance of the new field.
“We try to really visibly invest in football facilities every year as much as we can do it. It keeps things fresh and it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to football.”
Although Wilson doesn’t have the wins to show for it, I like what he is doing in Bloomington. He is changing the culture and mentality, demanding that football is relevant, as it should be.
Five years ago, Indiana broke ground on the north end zone project that has positively impacted the football team and the other 23 sports.
For football, it’s going to take time. That’s why over a year ago, Wilson accepted a seven-year deal. Upgrades like the practice field are strong selling points to recruits and proof that those above him are willing to do all they can to help him, and the team, succeed.