St. Norbert is starting a stadium from scratch this summer. |
The summer is prime time for building projects and renovations,
new turf and lights, and Division III has a bunch of stadiums
getting new looks in preparation for the 2010 season.
The most drastic might be at St. Norbert, where the Green Knights
will be playing in a brand-new stadium in the fall, replacing
70-year-old Minahan Stadium. Donald J. Schneider Stadium is a mile
closer to campus, will have artificial turf, lights and locker room
space for more than twice as many players. St. Norbert's stadium
opens Saturday, Sept. 4, with a home game against St. Thomas.
The last of the old turf rugs are being removed. Once Alfred's
FieldTurf and Lewis and Clark's new Astroturf is in place, that
will be the end of Astroturf in Division III football. They were
the last two surviving fields with the rug.
Merrill Field's new grandstand, with a seating capacity of 1,645,
is scheduled to be installed in August and will include 210
box-style seats as well as aluminum bleacher seating for 1,435
spectators. Combined with the existing bleachers on the visitors'
side and behind the south end zone, Merrill Field will have a total
seating capacity of nearly 3,000. Alfred's home opener is Sept. 4
against Widener.
Franklin couldn't host its national quarterfinal game on campus in
2008 because of the condition of its grass field. That won't be a
problem anymore now that Faught Stadium is getting refurbished.
Lights are being added and a new artificial surface is being
installed. Wabash is also installing new artificial turf, while
lights are also being added at Catholic U.