Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Practice Field Flooded
3/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 22, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Just hours prior to Monday's scheduled football practice, several ducks were swimming in what was formerly an outstanding football practice facility.
The heavy rain storm that hit the Valley over the weekend flooded the Fresno State football practice facility to the point that the Dogs are unable to use it this week. With more rain in the forecast, it's likely the practice field will not be available for the remainder of the team's spring practice sessions.
"This flooding is unfortunate and will really hinder our ability to get our practice sessions in," said head coach Pat Hill. "We've had this problem not only during spring drills but also in our preparations for bowl games the last few years. We have a great practice facility, but it can only hold so much water."
Hill and the Dogs are in their second week of spring practices. The team only gets 15 practice dates during this time of year, so maximizing those sessions is paramount for the team as it prepares for the 2011 season.
The Dogs will use an artificial turf surface at an area high school approximately 20 minutes from the Fresno State campus. That requires the team to bus back and forth, an inconvenience that will require some of the student-athletes to cut their practice sessions short in order to attend classes.
"The last several years we have had this problem and missed out on some valuable practice time," said Hill. "This is really the time of year when a turf field on our campus would be most helpful. Between bad weather conditions or just having the flexibility for our players to get on a good field when they want to work out is more than a luxury, it's a necessity in today's world of college football."
The Bulldog Foundation is currently raising funds to put turf in Bulldog Stadium and will soon launch a public campaign to help finish the project. The projected cost of the project is $1.2 million and $600,000 has been raised thus far. Anyone interested in donating to the turf project can contact the Bulldog Foundation at (559) 278-7160.
"We Are Your Team!" -- Bulldog football fans can get their 2011 season tickets and tickets for the season opener against Cal at San Francisco's Candlestick Park. TICKETS for more information and to purchase.
