Brianna Little

General 8/21/2024 12:00:00 PM Justin Mordecai, Director of Athletic Communications

Clark Atlanta Unveils Newly Designed Red Turf Field installed by the Arthur Blank Foundation

CAU Football receives new playing surface ahead of the 2024 season

ATLANTA, Ga. – Clark Atlanta University Athletics is gearing up for a significant change at their historic Panther Stadium. Clark Atlanta Football will soon be seeing red, not financially, but on the newly redesigned field turf. The school has decided to install a new, bright red turf, boldly setting the stage for a unique and eye-catching athletic environment. This vibrant addition aims to invigorate school spirit and provide a distinctive backdrop for future games and events.

The construction for the new field went underway on June 1 and was completed on Friday, August 16.

"As Athletic Director, I am profoundly grateful to the Arthur Blank Family Foundation for their tremendous gift of $1.8 million, which has made our vision for the new red football field a reality. Writing the grant for this project was a labor of love, driven by my commitment to providing our student-athletes, alumni, and the entire CAU community with something truly special." said Dr. Jerel Drew.

Clark Atlanta University will be just the second school in the nation on the collegiate level with a red turf field. Eastern Washington University being the first to install one back in 2010. Clark Atlanta will be the first Division II school to install the newly designed red field. The project has been in the works for almost two years and was finalized in the spring of 2024.

"This red turf is more than just a playing surface; it's a symbol of a new era for Clark Atlanta University Athletics. We now have a landmark in the city, a beacon of pride that will not only elevate our football program but also inspire future generations. This field marks the beginning of a new chapter, and we are incredibly excited for what it will bring to CAU Football and our broader athletics program." noted Drew.

The field will be manufactured and installed by FieldTurf Tarkett. FieldTurf is an extremely popular brand of artificial playing surfaces used widely across with world. FieldTurf has completed over 20,000 fields worldwide and is based out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada with its primary manufacturing facility based in Calhoun, Georgia.

FieldTurf installed their Prestige Vertex brand of field which features specially designed slit-film fibers and high-performance ridged monofilament fibers. The fibrillation process of the slit-film component allows for proper infill encapsulation while the monofilament fibers facilitate grass-like ball roll. Both fibers are tufted together in the same stitch for a superior aesthetic appearance.

The Clark Atlanta Panthers football team will kick off the 2024 season on their new turf on Saturday, September 7 at 2 p.m. against Allen University.

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