BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University has commenced two separate projects to upgrade the turf at George Finnie Stadium and add a turf field behind the Packard Athletic Center.

After interviewing with five companies, AstroTurf was selected for the projects. AstroTurf is the same company that recently turfed Fisher Field and the new BW Softball Complex.

"These fields are going to be a wonderful addition to athletics and will also give us the ability to serve students for intramurals," Senior Vice President Richard Fletcher said. "With the recent upgrades to the baseball and softball fields as well, we will have first class athletic facilities all around. It will also be a plus in recruiting as these facilities will help attract the students who want to compete in Division III athletics at the highest level."

Work has already begun to strip the grass behind Packard and prepare the site for the new turf. The full-length field will be used primarily as a practice field for the soccer and lacrosse teams; The field can also be used for football and intramurals although it will primarily be lined for soccer and lacrosse.

When the new turf arrives on campus, crews will begin tearing up the 10-year-old turf at Finnie Stadium. The new upgrades will include a safety pad underneath the Finnie turf in an attempt to reduce the number of concussions seen in college sports. The Finnie project will take approximately three weeks to complete before moving over to the Packard project.

Both fields are anticipated to be complete by mid-to-late July before fall teams begin their preseasons.