Field Turf Installation Complete at Burke-Tarr Stadium

Crews finished growing Burke-Tarr Stadium’s new turf in early May, now Carson-Newman football has a fresh cut lawn on which to play featuring Shaw Sports Turf’s Bolt fiber. 

The new turf features the iconic Eagle head at midfield.  The new version features a blue outline that pops the logo off the field.  An orange band now surrounds the field of play as the first indicator of territory that’s out of bounds. 

The end zones also got an update.  They’re now a deeper, true Carson-Newman blue with “Eagles” written across the middle in orange and outlined in white.

“I didn’t think we could go wrong by doing business with Shaw,” C-N head coach Ken Sparks said. “We’re thrilled to have this field and it’ll pay for itself over a period of a few years. I hope it’s a fast field that makes us run a little bit quicker.  We hope that we protect our house like we protect our own hearts.” 

Sparks said his players don’t want to lose on the Bolt fiber surface. 

Bolt is a stronger, more resilient monofilament fiber, featuring a lightning bolt shape which creates a stronger vertical axis that causes fibers to stand upright for less breakdown and increased durability. Bolt is specifically built for performance and to reflect light for a lower luster and more natural looking field.

“Providing the new Bolt field for Carson-Newman is something we’re very proud of,” Jimmy Marshall, Shaw Sports Turf Territory Manager, said. “This is a historically strong program with one of the greatest coaches in history. It says a lot that they selected our turf system.”

Shaw Sports Turf has installed practice and stadium fields on more than 1,500 playing surfaces for all types of sports and recreational activities, including many collegiate programs such as Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, LSU, the University of Arkansas, and Furman University.

Additionally, Shaw Sports Turf installed the practice and game fields for the Baltimore Ravens. Torrey Smith, a wide receiver for the Ravens, is a spokesman for Shaw Sports Turf.