Schwartzwalder Practice Field Gets Makeover

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – With three state-of-the-art FieldTurf facilities already available for the Orange football team to train on, the Syracuse University Department of Athletics is giving Ben Schwartzwalder Field at the Lampe Athletics Complex a makeover.

Named for legendary head coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who led the Orange from 1949-73, Schwartzwalder Field is currently being transformed from a FieldTurf surface into a natural grass field. The FieldTurf from Schwartzwalder was removed on Aug. 22. An irrigation system was recently installed, and now the sod, made of Kentucky Bluegrass, is in the process of being laid down. The field is expected to be ready for use on Oct. 1.

Syracuse has access to three FieldTurf surfaces in the Carrier Dome, Ensley Athletic Center and Maury Katz Field, which sits next to Schwartzwalder Field.

"It's important to Coach Babers and the football program that they have a dedicated natural grass field to practice on," Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack said. "The new field, along with the state-of-the-art Ensley Athletic Center and Katz Field, provide our football student-athletes with outstanding practice venues.

"The University leadership, in particular Chancellor Syverud, have been very supportive of this project. We also thank our facilities staff for their tremendous work to complete this project during the 2016 season."

Having a dedicated natural grass surface will assist the Orange in their game preparation. Syracuse plays three games on grass this year (at Connecticut, at Clemson, at Pittsburgh). Next season, the Orange have at least four games scheduled to be played on grass (at LSU, at Florida State, at Miami (Fla.), at North Carolina State).

The Schwartzwalder project is one of several recent upgrades to the Orange's facilities. In 2012, substantial improvements were made to the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex, including upgrades to the Michael M. Bill '58 Locker Room, the team lounge area, the dining facility and the Ferguson Auditorium. The renovation also included a sparkling new Hall of Fame area. The Ensley Athletic Center opened its doors in January of 2015, and the coaching staff's offices were upgraded in the summer of 2015.

The Orange are 1-1 and host 2-0 USF at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of Orange Central Weekend (Homecoming). Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Tickets are available online, by phone (888-DOMETIX), at Destiny USA kiosks and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related Videos