Football fields should be green

[EWURanger]

I was more referencing the comments about how someone turned the game off because of the field. Just ridiculous, IMO. You at least continued to watch even though you had a hard time watching it.

Of course you are going to love the field, it's your field. If an EWU fan turned the game off because of the color of the field I might agree with you, but if someone who doesn't GAF about EWU turns the game off because they don't like the red that's their right.

There were a lot of people that said the same thing. I was actually suprised at the number of people who said they didn't/couldn't watch. In fact, of the group I was talking to, I think only two of us did watch the whole game.

To each their own. It's worked well for us. At first I was a little skeptical, but after having seen it in person and also through HD I still think it looks awesome. I think it's one of those love it or hate it things. I'm ok with that.

[kalm]

I talked to several people today who are football fans, but not necessarily FCS football fans, that said they turned the game off because of the red field.

I found the game hard to watch.
.

I've had the exact same response from those types trying to watch a CAA offense when you played UNH.

[BlueHen86]

I talked to several people today who are football fans, but not necessarily FCS football fans, that said they turned the game off because of the red field.

I found the game hard to watch.
.

I've had the exact same response from those types trying to watch a CAA offense when you played UNH.

I don't care if other people want to watch my team. When I'm watching the Hens I'm not thinking about who else is watching. "Hey, the Hens are on TV, I hope kalm and all of his friends are watching!".

You should have the same attitude about your field. As long as you like it that is all that should matter to you.
"Hey, we have a red field, I hope people in southeastern PA like it!"

[kalm]

I've had the exact same response from those types trying to watch a CAA offense when you played UNH.

I don't care if other people want to watch my team. When I'm watching the Hens I'm not thinking about who else is watching. "Hey, the Hens are on TV, I hope kalm and all of his friends are watching!".

You should have the same attitude about your field. As long as you like it that is all that should matter to you.
"Hey, we have a red field, I hope people in southeastern PA like it!"

What in the hell do people in SE PA have against our beautiful field?

[OL FU]

Makes me hope Furman gets a purple field.

[Chemhen]

Meh, let em do what they want with their field. I watched the NDSU and Nova games, and after about halfway through the 3rd quarter of the Nova game I didn't notice it anymore. I don't like the red on red; it looks terrible, but the black looked cool.

I draw the line at a tie-dye field though. No one needs to see that shit.

[89Hen]

That's what I've been trying to say all year. In person, and in HD, I really love how it looks. I know it's not for everyone, but to think we embarassed FCS tonight is a joke. There's been people from all over the country commenting on it in a positive light on facebook after watching it on ESPN tonight.

I don't think it's an embarrassment, but take it for what it's worth... everybody I've talked to about it (lots of people considering UD was in the other semi) has laughed at it and said it is horrible.

[89Hen]

The field looks better when the Eags don't wear all red uni's

The black looked great last night.

I agree it's easier to watch with black unis, but it doesn't change the look of the field.

[CAA Flagship]

Same here. I have heard a lot of negative comments. If you are going to participate early in a new trend, you better have thick skin. Otherwise, you shouldn't be on the leading edge. It's a crapshoot when you introduce something new. Sometimes a large percentage of people will embrace it right away. Sometimes it takes time for the majority to embrace it. Sometimes it turns out to be a complete flop. Time will tell where the red turf will end up in the court of public opinion. Until then, deal with the hate. EWU did it for attention. And this playoff run is ensuring them of that.

[kalm]

Same here. I have heard a lot of negative comments. If you are going to participate early in a new trend, you better have thick skin. Otherwise, you shouldn't be on the leading edge. It's a crapshoot when you introduce something new. Sometimes a large percentage of people will embrace it right away. Sometimes it takes time for the majority to embrace it. Sometimes it turns out to be a complete flop. Time will tell where the red turf will end up in the court of public opinion. Until then, deal with the hate. EWU did it for attention. And this playoff run is ensuring them of that.

And the only negative comments I've heard come from some fans of other schools.

It's given us a ton of national exposure, a ton of local exposure, and our fans like it. It's certainly not preventing us from growing our fanbase. You can argue till the cows come home about someone from the outside's opinion of how it looks, but from a perspective of accomplishing it's mission, it's a total success.

[89Hen]

And the only negative comments I've heard come from some fans of other schools.

It's given us a ton of national exposure, a ton of local exposure, and our fans like it. It's certainly not preventing us from growing our fanbase. You can argue till the cows come home about someone from the outside's opinion of how it looks, but from a perspective of accomplishing it's mission, it's a total success.

It's mission was to get everyone laughing at EWU? And as for the only negative comments from fans of other schools... um, that would be 99.97% of football fans across the country.

[93henfan]

That's what I've been trying to say all year. In person, and in HD, I really love how it looks. I know it's not for everyone, but to think we embarassed FCS tonight is a joke. There's been people from all over the country commenting on it in a positive light on facebook after watching it on ESPN tonight.

I don't think it's an embarrassment, but take it for what it's worth... everybody I've talked to about it (lots of people considering UD was in the other semi) has laughed at it and said it is horrible.

Those same people probably laugh at you behind your back because you root for a team that isn't FBS.

Who cares what other people think?

[BlueHen86]

Same here. I have heard a lot of negative comments. If you are going to participate early in a new trend, you better have thick skin. Otherwise, you shouldn't be on the leading edge. It's a crapshoot when you introduce something new. Sometimes a large percentage of people will embrace it right away. Sometimes it takes time for the majority to embrace it. Sometimes it turns out to be a complete flop. Time will tell where the red turf will end up in the court of public opinion. Until then, deal with the hate. EWU did it for attention. And this playoff run is ensuring them of that.

And the only negative comments I've heard come from some fans of other schools.

It's given us a ton of national exposure, a ton of local exposure, and our fans like it. It's certainly not preventing us from growing our fanbase. You can argue till the cows come home about someone from the outside's opinion of how it looks, but from a perspective of accomplishing it's mission, it's a total success.

I think CAA Flagship is spot on here. Also, cognitive dissonance theory would lead me to believe that an EWU fan who initially didn't like the field would change his/her mind once the field became a reality.

[BlueHen86]

The field looks better when the Eags don't wear all red uni's

The black looked great last night.

I agree it's easier to watch with black unis, but it doesn't change the look of the field.

I would like to see the field in person and watch a televised day game before making final judgment on the field, but the red made Friday the night game harder to watch (but not unwatchable IMHO).

[BlueHen86]

Meh, let em do what they want with their field. I watched the NDSU and Nova games, and after about halfway through the 3rd quarter of the Nova game I didn't notice it anymore. I don't like the red on red; it looks terrible, but the black looked cool.

I draw the line at a tie-dye field though. No one needs to see that shit.

How about a field where the colors alternate every 5 yards? Thanks to colored turf there are all sorts of possibilites and I'm not sure a red field would cost any more than a green one.

I don't think you'll ever see a tie dye or a polka dot field, but you never know.

I like Boise's field (it's novel) and I'm okay with EWU's field (still somewhat novel) but I'd rather not see an explosion of non-green colored fields. It may only be a matter of time before we end up with a field that looks like a UPS ad.

[kalm]

And the only negative comments I've heard come from some fans of other schools.

It's given us a ton of national exposure, a ton of local exposure, and our fans like it. It's certainly not preventing us from growing our fanbase. You can argue till the cows come home about someone from the outside's opinion of how it looks, but from a perspective of accomplishing it's mission, it's a total success.

It's mission was to get everyone laughing at EWU? And as for the only negative comments from fans of other schools... um, that would be 99.97% of football fans across the country.

That's right hen, 97.97% of football fans across the country aren't a part of our fanbase. You good at math.

But I'm not gonna worry too much if you, DJH, and lakesbison object to it. Are you worried that 97.7% of football fans think that Michigan's helmets are gay?

[GrizMadman]

Since color of the field has now come into prominence, the NFL, NCAA, and all other football organizations should add to specifications for football fields that the color will be green. Enough of this idiocy about fields in colors other than green. That red turf of EWU makes watching a game difficult on TV. This is getting out of hand. Tradition does have its points & one of them is the green color of the football field. Showmanship is fine, but this is ridiculous.

Reminds me of the days of the early American Basketball Association, when the ball was in red, white, and blue. But when the ABA merged with the NBA, that nonsense was over. The turf-making companies should say, "You can have your field in any color you want, as long as it's green."

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I don't think it's an embarrassment, but take it for what it's worth... everybody I've talked to about it (lots of people considering UD was in the other semi) has laughed at it and said it is horrible.

Those same people probably laugh at you behind your back because you root for a team that isn't FBS.

Who cares what other people think?

You, Flagship, and BH86 have the same take on things like this this that I do.

It's opinion based so it ain't a big deal. You can have yours, I'll have mine, and if yours matches mine that nice an all but if it doesn't I don't give a fuck.

It's like anything that your fanbase rallies around, old colors, fields, pee wall, streamers, or whatever else. If you like it great, if you don't...I don't give a fuck.

Same with watching it on TV, it's great if a lot of people are watching cuz that makes it more likely that more will be on TV but if they aren't watching and someone puts it online anyway....I don't give a fuck.

The answer to the original post on the thread and any other post of that type is simple...

Football fields should be green

should they

Giving your opinion is great, needing someone else's approval on their opinion is something I just don't give a fuck about and I hope the EWU fans embrace this as far as their field goes.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Since color of the field has now come into prominence, the NFL, NCAA, and all other football organizations should add to specifications for football fields that the color will be green. Enough of this idiocy about fields in colors other than green. That red turf of EWU makes watching a game difficult on TV. This is getting out of hand. Tradition does have its points & one of them is the green color of the football field. Showmanship is fine, but this is ridiculous.

Reminds me of the days of the early American Basketball Association, when the ball was in red, white, and blue. But when the ABA merged with the NBA, that nonsense was over. The turf-making companies should say, "You can have your field in any color you want, as long as it's green."

Henry Ford, is that you?

It would be great to only have the choice of black in cars now wouldn't it?

[GrizMadman]

Different colors for cars, fine. Different colors for football fields?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Different colors for cars, fine. Different colors for football fields?

That's cool. You don't have to watch games on it except once every other year so it should affect you very, very little.

[93henfan]

While I'm OK with a red field, there's one thing I'm not OK with, and that's the new TV-projected ads on the glass behind the net in hockey.

LOS and 1st down lines in football? Fine. Ad behind the batter in baseball? OK. Hell, even an on-the field projected ad in soccer isn't a 93henfan party foul. But jeezis, putting the Golden fucking Arches across the faces of ten rows of fans whose reactions I enjoy seeing is straight up bullshit.

Fuck you Jared.

[CAA Flagship]

The thing that is interesting about this is the decision making process by the school. Once Boise St. broke the ice, the possibilities became endless. Obviously any color can be used. And any pattern can be used. But this decision comes at a time when artificial turf is being made to look (and feel) more and more real. It is no longer a "carpet" and now is made with blades of "grass".

I feel that if a decision like this is to be made, it should be made from the inside out. But it can't just stop at the "inside". So you float the idea out to the fans. If the fans embrace the idea, you can't just stop there. The "mission" has to include the opinion of the outsiders otherwise you risk being taken seriously. If the outsiders are overwhelmingly against it (hard to determine at this point but it doesn't look good), then the progression to outsider interest either didn't occur, or the administration didn't care. So that would either be stupid or gutsy. Either way, you have to live with the expensive decision.

Trendsetting is a slippery slope. Criticism will come to the first to do it, and if widely popular, criticism will hit the last to do it (think about the length of basketball shorts). The safe play is to stay out of the first 20% and the last 20%. Green turf will never go away, so there won't be a last. Therefore, if they gave any logical thought to this, the decision had to be made with the full expectation of criticism.

[kalm]

The thing that is interesting about this is the decision making process by the school. Once Boise St. broke the ice, the possibilities became endless. Obviously any color can be used. And any pattern can be used. But this decision comes at a time when artificial turf is being made to look (and feel) more and more real. It is no longer a "carpet" and now is made with blades of "grass".

I feel that if a decision like this is to be made, it should be made from the inside out. But it can't just stop at the "inside". So you float the idea out to the fans. If the fans embrace the idea, you can't just stop there. The "mission" has to include the opinion of the outsiders otherwise you risk being taken seriously. If the outsiders are overwhelmingly against it (hard to determine at this point but it doesn't look good), then the progression to outsider interest either didn't occur, or the administration didn't care. So that would either be stupid or gutsy. Either way, you have to live with the expensive decision.

Trendsetting is a slippery slope. Criticism will come to the first to do it, and if widely popular, criticism will hit the last to do it (think about the length of basketball shorts). The safe play is to stay out of the first 20% and the last 20%. Green turf will never go away, so there won't be a last. Therefore, if they gave any logical thought to this, the decision had to be made with the full expectation of criticism.

But, but, but what happens if the outsiders don't like it?

[CAA Flagship]

The thing that is interesting about this is the decision making process by the school. Once Boise St. broke the ice, the possibilities became endless. Obviously any color can be used. And any pattern can be used. But this decision comes at a time when artificial turf is being made to look (and feel) more and more real. It is no longer a "carpet" and now is made with blades of "grass".

I feel that if a decision like this is to be made, it should be made from the inside out. But it can't just stop at the "inside". So you float the idea out to the fans. If the fans embrace the idea, you can't just stop there. The "mission" has to include the opinion of the outsiders otherwise you risk being taken seriously. If the outsiders are overwhelmingly against it (hard to determine at this point but it doesn't look good), then the progression to outsider interest either didn't occur, or the administration didn't care. So that would either be stupid or gutsy. Either way, you have to live with the expensive decision.

Trendsetting is a slippery slope. Criticism will come to the first to do it, and if widely popular, criticism will hit the last to do it (think about the length of basketball shorts). The safe play is to stay out of the first 20% and the last 20%. Green turf will never go away, so there won't be a last. Therefore, if they gave any logical thought to this, the decision had to be made with the full expectation of criticism.

But, but, but what happens if the outsiders don't like it?

You become the joke. Back in the 80's, North Carolina St. thought they were cool as they were the first basketball school to introduce the "unitard". Heck, just google "unitard" and NC State and you will see the ridicule. The Chicago White Sox wore shorts one year. That didn't go over too well either. Other than the stigma that follows those teams even today, it was an easy and not very expensive fix. Red turf on the other hand is harder to fix.

Hey, there is always a first to try something new or different. You guys had the guts to try it. But don't blame the "outsiders" for not having the same amount of enthusiasm over it as you do.