Southern's A.W. Mumford Stadium unveils new field turf

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- A welcomed, new addition awaits the Southern University football program and their passionate fanbase when they enter A.W. Mumford Stadium on Sept. 17 for the 2016 home opener against Alabama State.

Construction to install a new state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface is nearing the final phase ahead of the project's July 18 scheduled completion date. The new field turf is a part of several University initiatives which will be highlighted during the Million Dollar March kickoff event Wednesday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse. The event, hosted by the Southern University System Foundation, is reserved for all Foundation donors and corporate sponsors.

“The installation of a turf field aligns with the University’s aim to shape a standard of excellence in our athletic endeavors," said SU System President Dr. Ray L. Belton. "We are pleased to bring the project to fruition with the support of the Southern University System Foundation and the longstanding contributions of the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

We are also grateful for the partnerships with SMG and UBU Sports, Incorporated that allows us to achieve this much-needed improvement to A.W. Mumford Stadium.”

The Southern University System Foundation (SUSF) partnered with the Southern University Athletics Department for the installation of the NFL-grade synthetic turf field at A.W. Mumford Stadium. The project was made possible by a joint venture between Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Southern University System Foundation, SMG (Louisiana Superdome Management Company) and UBU Sports, Incorporated.

"Southern University and SU Athletics remains committed to providing our student-athletes with a first-rate college experience," said Roman Banks, SU Interim Athletics Director. "Through the support of the Southern University System Foundation, the installation of this state-of-the-art playing surface at A.W. Mumford Stadium addresses any player safety and gameday logistic concerns while offering our coaching staff a powerful recruiting tool which also reasserts the SU athletic brand."

UBU Sports, Incorporated, located in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a leading brand of indoor and outdoor synthetic turf surfaces for use in a variety of sporting events, including football, baseball, field hockey, soccer, rugby and lacrosse. Teams that currently play on UBU, Incorporated fields include the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, the New York Giants and New York Jets at Met Life Stadium, the University of Houston at TDECU Stadium, Tulane Green Wave - which host Southern on Sept. 10 - at Yulman Stadium, and the Houston Texans practice fields.

2016 Season Tickets are on sale now at the SU Ticket Office located in the service entrance of the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Fans are encouraged to contact the ticket office at 225-771-3171 for more details.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS