The West Salem High School Titans in Oregon were known for wearing all-black uniforms, so they got an all-black field. Seems a little gimmicky at best and like it would be way more hot at worst. But guess what benefit they really got out of the deal?
How about $150,000. Apparently, Field Turf is black after manufacture and needs a treatment to be made green. Or blue. Or red. Or grey and purple. So, if the company skips the colorization process, it saves the school one hundred fifty large. Quite a savings.
In fact, so much of a savings, it allowed the team to switch to new green uniforms without barely denting the savings. Also avoids other teams complaining about the color match.
While this color is the first of its kind in an outdoor stadium, its not the first black football field. The Nebraska Danger play indoor football on a 50-yard black field.
The look is pretty interesting, though with the rubber added, the field is a little more of a dark charcoal grey than truly black, which is good for depth perception. The yard markers, end zones, and mid-field logo really stand out.
So, what do you think? Neat way to rally the troops, or silly gimmick? Are you the type to wish someone had outlawed this madness before it started, or are you trying to figure out how to get burnt orange into U of Texas stadium? Carbon Fiber and metallic for Autzen Stadium? Stupid chicken-wire and cream to match the helmets at Georgia Tech?
