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In a move that will both give the Golden Panthers a true home field advantage and make the FIU Community Stadium a showcase for high school football, Florida International University is installing the artificial turf product, AstroPlay. "Obviously we needed to do something with the field, and it was imperative from the start that we didn't negatively impact what Miami-Dade County and the high schools had to play football on," said FIU Athletic Director Rick Mello. "With a lack of playing facilities in the county, it was very important for us not to contribute to the problem but to be a major part of the solution. This renovation will provide the high schools with a surface that can be played on knowing that it is going to hold up, no matter what the weather conditions." In addition to providing FIU and the high school teams that use the field with a durable, high-tech playing surface, AstroPlay will work well with the South Florida environment. Miami-Dade County, for instance, continues to be on water-use restrictions, as a result of longstanding drought conditions; AstroPlay requires no water, fertilizer or pesticides. A product of Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc., AstroPlay is a grass-like, non-abrasive, polyethylene fiber matrix filled with special rubber granules. Unlike other artificial systems, AstroPlay will not compact, grow firmer or become less shock absorbent with age. Additionally, footballs bounce on the surface just as they do on grass, and the system "gives," allowing players to use grass shoes and relieving high schools athletes of the added expense of purchasing "turf" shoes. Installation will cost approximately $825,000 and should be completed by the end of August. AstroPlay manufacturer Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc., has installed the system for New York Giants at their indoor practice facility and for such college clients as the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, Oklahoma State, the University of North Carolina and Illinois University. The FIU Community Stadium will be the company's first installation in the southeastern United States. "This will be a great test, not only for the company but also for their product with our type climate--a lot of rain and a lot of heat," said FIU Head Coach Don Strock. "But it's stood up in Oklahoma, and it's stood up in Texas. We've got 24 high school games scheduled on our field this fall. For us to practice everyday and for them to play their games, this field, with its multi-year warranty, should provide a big plus for both of us." .. |
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:::::::::: STROCKTALK :::::::::: By DON STROCK Well, we’re in the process of moving into our field house. It looks great and there’s plenty of room for my staff and our athletes. In addition to keeping busy with the move and the installation of our new field, I recently participated in the Florida Sports Writers Association conference at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Eleven football coaches in the state gathered to discuss their programs before a group of nearly 100 of Florida’s college football reporters. This was the first time FIU participated, and it was a great experience. I look forward to going back next year and sharing more of the progress we’ve made. Again, I’d like to invite you to our four public scrimmages this Fall. I look forward to seeing you from the sidelines. ... |
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 Bruce Hardy FIU Assistant Football Coach |
Calling the shots coach profile Bruce
Hardy – FIU Assistant Football Coach
At 17, Bruce Hardy,
was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which deemed him “the
best all-around schoolboy athlete in the U.S.”
A Salt Lake City, Utah athletic phenomenon, Hardy, now the assistant coach for FIU football, earned all-state honors in three sports. He starred as a power-hitting catcher who was called “the best high school athlete seen in 20 years.” He was also a Class AAA MVP in basketball and football in both his junior and senior years. Now more than 30 years later, Hardy, 45, (seen in the FIU gym several times a week) recalls that talent and looks for it in young student athletes. In 1978 he was drafted in the ninth round of the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and played with them at tight end until 1989. During that time, Hardy caught 256 passes for 2,455 yards and started in two Super Bowls. Once finished with his playing career, Hardy easily transitioned to the sidelines and coached in the Arena Football League for six years, including one year with the Florida Bobcats. Now he’ll help build an intercollegiate team from scratch. Hardy has four
sons, Nathan 21, Adam 19, Aaron 17, and Matthew 14. |
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StrockTalk going live Don’t forget to join Don Strock as he kicks off his new radio show - StrockTalk on Wed., August 22. The show will
air every Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. You can also watch the show happen live at Shula’s Steak II at Don Shula's Hotel on Main Street in Miami Lakes. For more information
call 305-820-8047. |
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Sat., September
29, 2001 |
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