Improving the Field Conditions at Merner Field

The condition of the field and grounds at Merner last evening were not acceptable and we apologize for it not being in the shape that our team and community deserve.
We have typically taken care of the field within our maintenance department and this has often worked out fine in normal weather conditions and when we have full staffing. What occurred last night was the combination of recent wetter than normal weather throwing off the schedule of mowing and weeding and causing us to get behind, and then illness among staff that left us short-handed at the last minute. We will not let this situation happen again.
Already today we have arranged with the company who cuts the grass at our other properties to work on Merner Field to get it back into shape and to start a plan for mowing several times per week to avoid build up of grass and clippings. We plan to continue this going forward.
We know there are other needs for Merner Field in addition to the grounds. Some of those are in the process of being addressed and then there are other needs that have been included in our Capital Improvement Plan, as these are not inexpensive updates.
We again apologize, as we want the focus at our games (and scrimmages) to be on our students/athletes.