MONDAY,AUG.20,2001
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • 3B
Soccer turf hangs tough
By Jason Hwang Kansan sportswriter
If the turf on SuperTarget field stays healthy, Kansas women's soccer players won't have to be bused to any of their home games this fall.
SuperTarget Field had problems in the past during the soccer season. Last year, although the field was re-sodded, Kansas had to play two games at the Blue Valley District Activities Complex in Overland Park and one game at the Olathe District Activities Complex. The Kansas Credit Union tournament also had to be moved out of Lawrence.
Christy Tolin, media relations assistant for the Athletics Department, said the field had drainage problems and the grass began to die. The field opened in October 1995.
Phil Grom, a KU groundskeeper who maintains SuperTarget Field, said maintenance staff
members routinely kept up the condition of the field.
"We've tried to maintain this field every day." Grom said.
Darren Cook, director of facilities, said extreme heat and poor soil contributed to problems with the field's condition.
"Bluegrass turf is beautiful in perfect weather conditions," Cook said. "Unfortunately, when the weather gets hot, the turf cannot take the heat and just wilts. If it rains a lot, the water that goes under the grass just stays. So the grass wilts."
The water collects beneath the field because it was built on top of clay instead of rich soil. Traditionally, clay is waterproof and not very fertile. The water then seeps through the field and soaks the playing surface.
Cook said the department could have bought better turf, such as Bermuda grass. But because of the tight athletic
"We've tried to maintain this field every day."
Phil Grom KU groundskeeper
budget, they were forced to use cheaper, lower-quality turf. Over the past several years, the Athletic Department spent between $30,000 and $40,000 to maintain the field.
Despite past problems, Cook said the field was ready for play.
"Up until two weeks ago, the field was in very good condition," Cook said. "We were very proud to maintain this field to its best. There are some brown spots due to the heat stress and the fungus."
Hwang can be reached at 864-4812 or sports@kanans.com
Intramural sports cut out entry fee
By Kevin Flaherty Kansan sportswriter
One of the biggest changes for this year in the intramurals world is the absence of entry fees, which last year averaged about $30 per sport.
But signing up for a team and not playing could be costly this year, as forfeit fees have been reintroduced after being absent in recent years. Forfeit fees will be $10 per game, and if a队 doesn't pay the fee by the time of its next game, it is removed from that particular sport.
Another change is the new intramural program manager, Eric Schreiber. Schreiber said he thought the waiving of entry fees and the reinstatement of forfeit fees would help increase student
participation.
"I believe that the new plan will work," Schreiber said. "The lack of fees will ensure that the opportunity to take advantage of intramurals is always there and the forfeit fees will stop teams from signing up and bailing out."
Schreiber is also open to suggestions for new events. One of the ideas floating in is "Battle of the Beet," a type of tug-of-war game that garnered huge support when he was at Northwest Missouri State.
There are seven fall intramural team sports currently open for participation, including sand volleyball and floor hockey. Individual sports also are available, including tennis singles, golf, bowling, 8-ball pool and racquetball.
Tony Chan, Elgin, Ill., sophomore, looks forward to the upcoming season.
"They have pretty much all of the main sports I like to play," Chan said. "The only thing I might like to see is some running, possibly cross country sort of events."
Flag football and sand volleyball both hold meetings on Sunday, Aug. 26, and play begins on Sept. 3.
If you would like to be active in intramurals and make some money while doing so, intramural leagues are looking for referees. Go to the intramural office at 208 Robinson or call 864-3546 for more information.
- Flaherty can be reached at 864-4810 or sports@kansan.com
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