Aug. 10, 2015
Videos: Nickerson Field | GreenFields MX
GreenFields MX website
BOSTON - As the 100th anniversary of the opening of Braves Field looms, the currently named Nickerson Field remained at the forefront of college athletics this summer by having the playing surface undergo a facelift with the installation of GreenFields MX.
Originally having a grass surface for Major League Baseball’s Boston Braves, Nickerson Field was one of the first collegiate facilities in 1968 to utilize Astroturf and then in 2001 had the distinction of becoming the first FIFA-certified field in the world with a modern infill-artificial turf. Fourteen years later, BU has made the next advancement by changing the existing synthetic turf with GreenFields MX Trimension™, utilizing a patented weaving technology.
The product comprises several innovations to ensure that fibers will stand up straight, better replicating natural grass when it comes to playability at top-flight level. The woven turf allows better and natural control of the ball, allows a player to pivot easier and is a more consistent surface that resists compaction. GreenFields MX turf has no grain, giving it a beautifully natural appearance, both from the stands and on television.
After becoming just the second facility in the U.S. to utilize GreenFields MX Trimension™, Nickerson Field this past week underwent extensive testing to become one of 10 artificial fields in the U.S. to earn FIFA 2 Star certification. The honor is the highest one available around the world and is only given to fields that ensure the highest playing performance for professional-level soccer.
“BU has always prided itself on providing the best possible playing conditions for our student-athletes, and we are excited to continue that tradition at Nickerson Field with GreenFields,” said Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello. “The state-of-the-art field surface is a tremendous step forward for our facility, which is utilized by not only four varsity programs but also many club and intramural teams on campus. The turf has drawn high praise from coaches and student-athletes, and we are eager for intercollegiate competitions to be held there.”
Besides being the most durable artificial turf in the world, the GreenFields MX is also the most sustainable, as the innovative turf design is 100 percent recyclable thanks to environmentally safe and healthy materials combined with the company’s patented fiber-binding technique.
“With the amount of use we get at Nickerson Field, the old field needed to be replaced,” said 31st-year head men’s soccer coach Neil Roberts. “The GreenFields MX is the best turf we’ve ever had here, and we’re going back about 15 years since we moved away from astro turf. It’s a quality field that’s comfortable and helps the ball roll well. It plays as close to grass as I’ve ever seen with the number of turf fields I’ve been on during my coaching career.”
The two-time defending Patriot League champion Boston University women’s soccer team was the first squad to officially practice on the new field this past Thursday, Aug. 6.
“It was super exciting to get onto a world-class premiere surface,” said women’s soccer associate head coach and former player Casey Brown (’10). “It’s obviously a beautiful pitch. We already play in a great stadium, and it really complements what we have. The blades are super soft, and the surface plays quick while providing support for the players running around.
“The evolution of Nickerson Field has been awesome since my earlier years of playing to where we are now,” Brown added. “It’s no longer the days of just a flat, hard surface on a carpet or a wood-floor feeling. It’s been terrific to see those changes happen.”
Founded in 2003, GreenFields entered the U.S. market in 2014 after constructing more FIFA-certified playing fields than any other company worldwide. Its latest technology has recently been used to construct playing fields for several Dutch, Spanish and Swedish professional clubs.
“It’s quite an honor to have Boston University choose GreenFields for such a prestigious stadium as Nickerson Field,” said Jim Froslid, Director of Sales and Marketing for GreenFields, “We pride ourselves in being a leader in innovation, and enabling athletes all over the world to play sports on well-constructed, sustainable and safe fields.”
Nickerson Field first officially opened as Braves Field on Aug. 18, 1915 and was later sold to Boston University in 1953 after the Braves moved to Milwaukee. BU will celebrate the facility’s rich history during the annual Alumni Weekend (Sept. 24-27) celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26. Alums can register for the event at http://www.bu.edu/alumniweekend/100-years-of-braves-field/.
GoTerriers.com will provide more details on the 100th-year celebration later this week and will include a special countdown on many memorable moments to take place at Braves/Nickerson Field.
GreenFields partnered with Northeast Turf to install the field in June and July. Northeast Turf is one of the most experienced installers in the country with more than 700 installations, many of which are in the New England area, including Gillette Stadium and BU’s last two stadium fields.
BU men’s soccer will become the first squad to officially play on the surface on Monday, Aug. 31, when the Terriers open the regular season against Boston College as part of the ninth-annual Terrier Tailgate at 7 p.m.. Women’s soccer will have its first opportunity on Sunday, Sept. 13 against Hofstra at 2 p.m.
GreenFields is the innovation leader for synthetic turf systems and holder of credentials with numerous professional sports organizations worldwide including FIFA, World Rugby, and FIH. GreenFields has designed and installed more synthetic turf systems for FIFA than any other company and boasts over 3000 sports field installations worldwide. www.GreenFieldsUSA.com
NorthEast Turf is a part of practically every facet of the construction & maintenance of your in-filled artificial turf field and they stand behind their work every step of the way. NET has installed over 700 outdoor sports fields for clients ranging from local parks to recreation departments to high schools and colleges throughout New England, the Mid Atlantic and Southeast. www.ebturf.com
