ECU TO RECEIVE NEW TURF AT FOOTBALL STADIUM

ECU's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students,
faculty, staff and community interact to educate students for life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Central University Communications and Marketing580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)

Four ECU representatives stand near where the north end zone goalpost has been removed in preparation for the installation of new turf at East Central University’s Norris Field.

In the photo (left to right) are: Jessica Boles, Vice-President of Administration and Finance; Jeff Williams, ECU Director of Athletics; John Hargrave, ECU President; and Allen Correll, ECU Band Director.

East Central University’s Norris Field is receiving a makeover in its truest sense.

For the first time in the 80-year-plus history of the venerable football stadium, it will receive an artificial playing surface in time for the 2013 season.

The $880,300 surface, called Revolution, comes from FieldTurf Company, according to Stan Lewis of Architects in Partnership, P.C., of Norman.

The University of Missouri just had FieldTurf Revolution installed at its stadium, Faurot Field, in 2012. Several other NCAA Division I schools have the Revolution surface on their campuses including the University of Minnesota, University of Texas, University of Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We think this not only gives us an advantage in recruiting football players, but also recruiting other students to the university,” said ECU President John Hargrave. “The football field is the most visible place on our campus. Thousands of people visit ECU’s football stadium, whether it’s for band contests, football games, an Ada High football game or the little league football program. The entire community will benefit from this.”

A majority of the funding for the project comes from private donations from the Chickasaw Nation, Victor Pryor, Randall and Shirley Pogue, Wink and Rachel Kopczynski and Craig Scheef.

“We are very much appreciative to those who have helped make this project available and we’re appreciative of hearing ideas and further suggestions or help that we may get from the community, alumni and supporters,” Hargrave said.

ECU head football coach Tim McCarty believes the new turf field will not only benefit the football program, but the Ada community as well.

“I think it’s a great statement by the university and friends of the university that we are moving our program forward to be on par with the other great programs in the nation,” said McCarty. “This surface will be not just a great addition for the ECU football program, but for the great Ada community as well in that it will be able to be used year round.”

The process for laying the new turf has already started with the current, ongoing removal of the natural grass sod at Norris Field.

“The old turf is going around to areas all over campus where there are bare spots, including bare spots around the stadium. We have contracted with the Chickasaw Sod Farm, of Davis, for the cutting of the old turf. They will take half (of the old turf,)” said Raymond Johnson, Interim Director of the ECU Physical Plant.

The target date for completion of the turf installation is May 1st, weather permitting.

The FieldTurf Revolution fiber surface is noted for its extraordinary durability and longevity as well as being unparalleled for its player safety and turf drainage, according to its website.

The unique shape of the FieldTurf Revolution fiber, complete with numerous ridges that run from the top to bottom alongside each face of the fiber, was created to eliminate breaking points in each artificial grass blade.

Significant specifics of the new FieldTurf Revolution include:

unique fiber shape and extrusion process which eliminates breaking pointsfiber resistant splitting and strong ultraviolet inhibitor technologya patented heavy three-layer infill with proven long-term safety characteristicspatented Surelock coating system which leaves the backing 40 percent porous for unmatched draining.

The new turf is phase 1 of upcoming improvement projects to athletic facilities including: restrooms, concessions, seating, accessibility, visiting locker rooms and landscaping.

“This allows us to utilize the stadium for more events outside of football, like concerts and band contests,” said ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Williams. “It’s a great setup in improving player safety. It also reduces operational and maintenance costs.”

With the new turf, does come some concerns.

“The good news is that it will stand up to foot traffic. Chewing gum and pets are the biggest threats as well as food and drinks,” Williams said. “We will be modifying some of our existing guidelines in order to use the facility.”

The cosmetics of the field will include the ECU Tiger logo at midfield with white Tigers lettering on orange end zones.

With the installation of the new turf, the walking track around the football field will be closed until further notice.

- # # # -

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High school artists receive awards for work exhibited at EOU

March 13, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) - The Nightingale Gallery announces the following award winners from the 2013 “Eastern Oregon Regional High School Art Exhibition.”

The EOU art program presented University Scholar Awards to the following high school seniors whose work demonstrates great potential for continued success at the college level. These students also each received a $1,500 renewable scholarship to study art at EOU:

- Andrew Camarena, of Ontario High School, for his mixed media sculpture “Head”
- Eli Kerns, of Baker High School, for his mixed media and clay sculpture “Willow Creek”
- Molly Witten, of La Grande High School, for her oil on canvas painting “Sarah’s Solo” 

The following Best of Show winners received award certificates and sketchbooks in which to continue to sharpen their creative skills:

Union High School

- Travis Gregory, 11th grade, for his acrylic painting “Tree with Leaves”
- Micayla Prummer, 11th grade, for her mixed media puppet “The Big Bad Wolf”

Grant Union High School

- Hannah Pereira, 10th grade, for her graphite drawing “Self Portrait”

Cove High School

- Saskia Lay, 9th grade, for her mixed media drawing “Dedicated to Jade Connall”

The following Honorable Mention recipients received a certificate of award:

Baker High School

- Jordan Warren for the pen and ink drawing “Bifocals”

Cove High School

- Lacey Bard for her photograph “Resistance”
- Hannah Brazil for her ink and collage work “Neck-less Positioning”

Joseph High School

- Lindsay Kemp for her watercolor painting “Rainy City”
- Mia Whittle for her mixed media work “Spring”

La Grande High School

- Alora Brown for the oil painting “Welcome to My World”
- Taite Haynes for the acrylic painting “Batman”
- Ally Tsaitos for the acrylic painting “Colorful Elephant”

Ontario High School

- Alina Schueler for her drawing “Tiger Year”
- Ashton Stark for the drawing “Reflection”
- Ashley K. Suyematsu for her drawing “Snack Time”

Weston McEwen High School

- Angelica Mirnov for her acrylic painting of a peacock

Additionally, Jaime Gustavson, art instructor at Union High School, presented a $100 Union High School Bobcat Foundation Scholarship Award to Tanner Tracy-Mugrage.

The La Grande Arts Commission also presented a special award to Alora Brown, a junior at La Grande High School exhibiting her painting “Welcome to My World.” The La Grande Arts Commission’s “Promising Young Artist Award” comes with a certificate and check for $50.

“The Nightingale Gallery and EOU congratulates the winners and all the outstanding participants,” said Cory Peeke, Nightingale Gallery director. “We would also like to express our appreciation to the region’s art teachers who went out of their way to make sure their students’ work was included in the exhibit and who do an outstanding job with extremely limited resources.”

Following is a list of participating teachers/schools: Kristen Bell, Baker High School; Eric Gustavson, Cove High School; Connie Robbins, Crane High School; J.J. Collier, Grant Union High School; Olivia Hinojos, Joseph High School; Mike Schireman, La Grande High School; Pam Helfrich, Ontario High School; Jaime Gustavson, Union High School; and Julie Pridgen, Weston McEwen High School.

The “Eastern Oregon Regional High School Exhibition” continues through March 20 in Nightingale Gallery in Loso Hall. For more information visit www.eou.edu/art. Winning artists’ works may also be viewed on the gallery’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NightingaleGallery. 

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President Whitlock to Receive Communicator of the Year Award from Local Chapter of PRSA

Eastern Kentucky University President Doug Whitlock will receive the 2013 Communicator of the Year Award from the Thoroughbred Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Whitlock, who served EKU as director of publications and director of public information early in his administrative career, will be honored at the chapter’s annual awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m. at the Boone Faculty Club on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

The award is presented to a central Kentucky resident who is not a public relations professional but who has, in the opinion of the chapter, “done an excellent job in communicating his or her passion about issues that person has taken up to champion,” said Cliff Feltham, awards committee chair for the chapter and statewide media relations manager for Kentucky Utilities. “We feel … Dr. Whitlock does a very good job communicating with all audiences, internal and external.”

Whitlock was named EKU president in 2007 and has announced his intention to retire effective July 31 of this year after an administrative career that spans more than 40 years at Eastern. He earned two degrees from Eastern.          

Previous winners of the award include: UK Women’s Basketball Coach Matthew Mitchell, former Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman, former Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen, Alltech Founder and President Pearce Lyons, and former University of Kentucky President Lee Todd.

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Doctoral Student One of Six Nationally to Receive AASA Scholarship

An Eastern Kentucky University doctoral student is among six graduate students in educational administration nationally to receive a scholarship from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

Doris Lynette Crawford, director of secondary schools with Shelby County Public Schools and a student in EKU’s doctoral degree program in educational leadership and policy studies, received the Worth McClure Award, valued at $2,500, at the AASA National Conference on Education in Houston, Texas on Feb. 21.

For more information about the EKU doctoral program, now in its fifth year, visit http://www.education.eku.edu/EDD.

The AASA Educational Administration Scholarship was created in 1949 to provide incentives, recognition and financial assistance to outstanding graduate students in school administration who intend to make school superintendency a career. The Association selects recipients on the basis of their experience and excellence in school administration, personal essays about their qualifications, and recommendations from university faculty.

For more information about AASA, visit www.aasa.org.

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ECU TO RECEIVE NEW TURF AT FOOTBALL STADIUM

ECU's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students,
faculty, staff and community interact to educate students for life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Central University Communications and Marketing580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)

Four ECU representatives stand near where the north end zone goalpost has been removed in preparation for the installation of new turf at East Central University’s Norris Field.

In the photo (left to right) are: Jessica Boles, Vice-President of Administration and Finance; Jeff Williams, ECU Director of Athletics; John Hargrave, ECU President; and Allen Correll, ECU Band Director.

East Central University’s Norris Field is receiving a makeover in its truest sense.

For the first time in the 80-year-plus history of the venerable football stadium, it will receive an artificial playing surface in time for the 2013 season.

The $880,300 surface, called Revolution, comes from FieldTurf Company, according to Stan Lewis of Architects in Partnership, P.C., of Norman.

The University of Missouri just had FieldTurf Revolution installed at its stadium, Faurot Field, in 2012. Several other NCAA Division I schools have the Revolution surface on their campuses including the University of Minnesota, University of Texas, University of Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We think this not only gives us an advantage in recruiting football players, but also recruiting other students to the university,” said ECU President John Hargrave. “The football field is the most visible place on our campus. Thousands of people visit ECU’s football stadium, whether it’s for band contests, football games, an Ada High football game or the little league football program. The entire community will benefit from this.”

A majority of the funding for the project comes from private donations from the Chickasaw Nation, Victor Pryor, Randall and Shirley Pogue, Wink and Rachel Kopczynski and Craig Scheef.

“We are very much appreciative to those who have helped make this project available and we’re appreciative of hearing ideas and further suggestions or help that we may get from the community, alumni and supporters,” Hargrave said.

ECU head football coach Tim McCarty believes the new turf field will not only benefit the football program, but the Ada community as well.

“I think it’s a great statement by the university and friends of the university that we are moving our program forward to be on par with the other great programs in the nation,” said McCarty. “This surface will be not just a great addition for the ECU football program, but for the great Ada community as well in that it will be able to be used year round.”

The process for laying the new turf has already started with the current, ongoing removal of the natural grass sod at Norris Field.

“The old turf is going around to areas all over campus where there are bare spots, including bare spots around the stadium. We have contracted with the Chickasaw Sod Farm, of Davis, for the cutting of the old turf. They will take half (of the old turf,)” said Raymond Johnson, Interim Director of the ECU Physical Plant.

The target date for completion of the turf installation is May 1st, weather permitting.

The FieldTurf Revolution fiber surface is noted for its extraordinary durability and longevity as well as being unparalleled for its player safety and turf drainage, according to its website.

The unique shape of the FieldTurf Revolution fiber, complete with numerous ridges that run from the top to bottom alongside each face of the fiber, was created to eliminate breaking points in each artificial grass blade.

Significant specifics of the new FieldTurf Revolution include:

unique fiber shape and extrusion process which eliminates breaking pointsfiber resistant splitting and strong ultraviolet inhibitor technologya patented heavy three-layer infill with proven long-term safety characteristicspatented Surelock coating system which leaves the backing 40 percent porous for unmatched draining.

The new turf is phase 1 of upcoming improvement projects to athletic facilities including: restrooms, concessions, seating, accessibility, visiting locker rooms and landscaping.

“This allows us to utilize the stadium for more events outside of football, like concerts and band contests,” said ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Williams. “It’s a great setup in improving player safety. It also reduces operational and maintenance costs.”

With the new turf, does come some concerns.

“The good news is that it will stand up to foot traffic. Chewing gum and pets are the biggest threats as well as food and drinks,” Williams said. “We will be modifying some of our existing guidelines in order to use the facility.”

The cosmetics of the field will include the ECU Tiger logo at midfield with white Tigers lettering on orange end zones.

With the installation of the new turf, the walking track around the football field will be closed until further notice.

- # # # -

View the original article here

Read More

ECU TO RECEIVE NEW TURF AT FOOTBALL STADIUM

ECU's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students,
faculty, staff and community interact to educate students for life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Central University Communications and Marketing580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)

Four ECU representatives stand near where the north end zone goalpost has been removed in preparation for the installation of new turf at East Central University’s Norris Field.

In the photo (left to right) are: Jessica Boles, Vice-President of Administration and Finance; Jeff Williams, ECU Director of Athletics; John Hargrave, ECU President; and Allen Correll, ECU Band Director.

East Central University’s Norris Field is receiving a makeover in its truest sense.

For the first time in the 80-year-plus history of the venerable football stadium, it will receive an artificial playing surface in time for the 2013 season.

The $880,300 surface, called Revolution, comes from FieldTurf Company, according to Stan Lewis of Architects in Partnership, P.C., of Norman.

The University of Missouri just had FieldTurf Revolution installed at its stadium, Faurot Field, in 2012. Several other NCAA Division I schools have the Revolution surface on their campuses including the University of Minnesota, University of Texas, University of Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We think this not only gives us an advantage in recruiting football players, but also recruiting other students to the university,” said ECU President John Hargrave. “The football field is the most visible place on our campus. Thousands of people visit ECU’s football stadium, whether it’s for band contests, football games, an Ada High football game or the little league football program. The entire community will benefit from this.”

A majority of the funding for the project comes from private donations from the Chickasaw Nation, Victor Pryor, Randall and Shirley Pogue, Wink and Rachel Kopczynski and Craig Scheef.

“We are very much appreciative to those who have helped make this project available and we’re appreciative of hearing ideas and further suggestions or help that we may get from the community, alumni and supporters,” Hargrave said.

ECU head football coach Tim McCarty believes the new turf field will not only benefit the football program, but the Ada community as well.

“I think it’s a great statement by the university and friends of the university that we are moving our program forward to be on par with the other great programs in the nation,” said McCarty. “This surface will be not just a great addition for the ECU football program, but for the great Ada community as well in that it will be able to be used year round.”

The process for laying the new turf has already started with the current, ongoing removal of the natural grass sod at Norris Field.

“The old turf is going around to areas all over campus where there are bare spots, including bare spots around the stadium. We have contracted with the Chickasaw Sod Farm, of Davis, for the cutting of the old turf. They will take half (of the old turf,)” said Raymond Johnson, Interim Director of the ECU Physical Plant.

The target date for completion of the turf installation is May 1st, weather permitting.

The FieldTurf Revolution fiber surface is noted for its extraordinary durability and longevity as well as being unparalleled for its player safety and turf drainage, according to its website.

The unique shape of the FieldTurf Revolution fiber, complete with numerous ridges that run from the top to bottom alongside each face of the fiber, was created to eliminate breaking points in each artificial grass blade.

Significant specifics of the new FieldTurf Revolution include:

unique fiber shape and extrusion process which eliminates breaking pointsfiber resistant splitting and strong ultraviolet inhibitor technologya patented heavy three-layer infill with proven long-term safety characteristicspatented Surelock coating system which leaves the backing 40 percent porous for unmatched draining.

The new turf is phase 1 of upcoming improvement projects to athletic facilities including: restrooms, concessions, seating, accessibility, visiting locker rooms and landscaping.

“This allows us to utilize the stadium for more events outside of football, like concerts and band contests,” said ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Williams. “It’s a great setup in improving player safety. It also reduces operational and maintenance costs.”

With the new turf, does come some concerns.

“The good news is that it will stand up to foot traffic. Chewing gum and pets are the biggest threats as well as food and drinks,” Williams said. “We will be modifying some of our existing guidelines in order to use the facility.”

The cosmetics of the field will include the ECU Tiger logo at midfield with white Tigers lettering on orange end zones.

With the installation of the new turf, the walking track around the football field will be closed until further notice.

- # # # -

View the original article here

Read More

ECU TO RECEIVE NEW TURF AT FOOTBALL STADIUM

ECU's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students,
faculty, staff and community interact to educate students for life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Central University Communications and Marketing580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)

Four ECU representatives stand near where the north end zone goalpost has been removed in preparation for the installation of new turf at East Central University’s Norris Field.

In the photo (left to right) are: Jessica Boles, Vice-President of Administration and Finance; Jeff Williams, ECU Director of Athletics; John Hargrave, ECU President; and Allen Correll, ECU Band Director.

East Central University’s Norris Field is receiving a makeover in its truest sense.

For the first time in the 80-year-plus history of the venerable football stadium, it will receive an artificial playing surface in time for the 2013 season.

The $880,300 surface, called Revolution, comes from FieldTurf Company, according to Stan Lewis of Architects in Partnership, P.C., of Norman.

The University of Missouri just had FieldTurf Revolution installed at its stadium, Faurot Field, in 2012. Several other NCAA Division I schools have the Revolution surface on their campuses including the University of Minnesota, University of Texas, University of Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We think this not only gives us an advantage in recruiting football players, but also recruiting other students to the university,” said ECU President John Hargrave. “The football field is the most visible place on our campus. Thousands of people visit ECU’s football stadium, whether it’s for band contests, football games, an Ada High football game or the little league football program. The entire community will benefit from this.”

A majority of the funding for the project comes from private donations from the Chickasaw Nation, Victor Pryor, Randall and Shirley Pogue, Wink and Rachel Kopczynski and Craig Scheef.

“We are very much appreciative to those who have helped make this project available and we’re appreciative of hearing ideas and further suggestions or help that we may get from the community, alumni and supporters,” Hargrave said.

ECU head football coach Tim McCarty believes the new turf field will not only benefit the football program, but the Ada community as well.

“I think it’s a great statement by the university and friends of the university that we are moving our program forward to be on par with the other great programs in the nation,” said McCarty. “This surface will be not just a great addition for the ECU football program, but for the great Ada community as well in that it will be able to be used year round.”

The process for laying the new turf has already started with the current, ongoing removal of the natural grass sod at Norris Field.

“The old turf is going around to areas all over campus where there are bare spots, including bare spots around the stadium. We have contracted with the Chickasaw Sod Farm, of Davis, for the cutting of the old turf. They will take half (of the old turf,)” said Raymond Johnson, Interim Director of the ECU Physical Plant.

The target date for completion of the turf installation is May 1st, weather permitting.

The FieldTurf Revolution fiber surface is noted for its extraordinary durability and longevity as well as being unparalleled for its player safety and turf drainage, according to its website.

The unique shape of the FieldTurf Revolution fiber, complete with numerous ridges that run from the top to bottom alongside each face of the fiber, was created to eliminate breaking points in each artificial grass blade.

Significant specifics of the new FieldTurf Revolution include:

unique fiber shape and extrusion process which eliminates breaking pointsfiber resistant splitting and strong ultraviolet inhibitor technologya patented heavy three-layer infill with proven long-term safety characteristicspatented Surelock coating system which leaves the backing 40 percent porous for unmatched draining.

The new turf is phase 1 of upcoming improvement projects to athletic facilities including: restrooms, concessions, seating, accessibility, visiting locker rooms and landscaping.

“This allows us to utilize the stadium for more events outside of football, like concerts and band contests,” said ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Williams. “It’s a great setup in improving player safety. It also reduces operational and maintenance costs.”

With the new turf, does come some concerns.

“The good news is that it will stand up to foot traffic. Chewing gum and pets are the biggest threats as well as food and drinks,” Williams said. “We will be modifying some of our existing guidelines in order to use the facility.”

The cosmetics of the field will include the ECU Tiger logo at midfield with white Tigers lettering on orange end zones.

With the installation of the new turf, the walking track around the football field will be closed until further notice.

- # # # -

View the original article here

Read More