MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – For the first time since 2006, the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs have replaced the stadium turf playing surface at Drake Field, and while the new look has some heads turning as they navigated away from the traditional green playing surface to something bold and unlike any opponents – a black turfed surface.
 
"As we set out to replace our old turf, we wanted to move in a bold, new direction that would give our department and student-athletes a unique identity to rally around," SUNY Morrisville Director of Athletics Matt Grawrock said.
 
"We wanted a look that reflected the institution and how we have a special campus with an education and opportunities that are different from many schools, embracing the differences that set us apart while providing a focal point for athletics that would distinguish us from our peers.
 
"Throughout this process, we've intentionally embraced the path less taken to make Drake Field a memorable facility for all of our student-athletes, but also for the greater campus community."
 
The new design features white traditional markings for football, red markings for men's lacrosse, powder blue for women's lacrosse, lime green for soccer, and yellow for field hockey.
 
To pay tribute to the Mustangs history, the field showcases lettering along the home sideline of "Drake Field", named after Wall of Fame member Robert Drake, who served as Morrisville's athletic director as well as football, basketball and baseball coach from 1948 to 1978.
 
With the overall discussion and design beginning in the early months of 2022, the physical process of replacing the old turf surface began mid-May and was completed in early July, and also features facility upgrades within the stadium's locker room spaces, as well as new uprights and fencing that will showcase the department branding. 
 
"This has been a long process, and many people have been engaged to make this a reality," said Grawrock.
 
"There are a number of people and groups we are indebted to for the hard work and dedication they have shown to finalizing this project. First, both Randy Krytusa and Chris Maroney have been tremendous advocates for us with a number of constituencies. They guided this project along and always had a listening ear when we sought adjustments or edits. They were tireless in making this happen and we are so fortunate that they have been the big part of the project that they were.
 
"Second, the various external groups that made this possible cannot be overlooked.
 
"We're incredibly grateful for PHZ Architects who mapped out our vision and gave us the look for the new field. They embraced our goal to be different and shared our enthusiasm for a field like no other. Tim Bonaparte, from Appel Osborne Landscape and Architecture, was critical as we looked at our fencing and other elements of the field including the drawings, alongside Lysander Construction with the installation of the fencing. Finally, Chenango Contracting was phenomenal in the work they put in to install the turf.
 
"It has been mesmerizing to see their work to transform Drake Field into what we see today.
 
"Many people may ask why we've put a black field out there," Grawrock said.
 
"We've asked, why not?
 
"We have created a true home-field experience and advantage for our student-athletes. We think they're one-of-a-kind and we wanted to give them a home venue to match.
 
"This field is top-notch, and not just because of the color. As we went through the planning process we wanted to make sure the field met the needs of four different sports, and from that we have a turf that is one of the best around to meet those needs.
 
"We are confident that each of the teams that compete on Drake, and those other teams that will use it for exercise and conditioning, will come away with a sense of pride in knowing this field is theirs; one that is different from every other field they've been on. 
 
"As we head into a new athletic year, the enthusiasm from this project has been infectious," Grawrock continued.
 
"There is palpable excitement on this campus and we can't wait for our student-athletes to return to practice and compete for the first time on the new Drake field.
 
"We hope that this project will help propel us to improve other areas of our department and continue to strive for the truly unifying and transforming experience that Morrisville Athletics offers.
 
"This field is for Morrisville, and it will help us Run-As-One into a new era of Mustang Athletics!"
 
Mustang fall student-athletes will take the field for the first time in a few short weeks as they begin pre-season training for the 2023 season.
 
Morrisville will hold an official ribbon cutting celebration with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
 
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
 
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2023 issue and earned additional recognition in Top Public Schools Regional Colleges (North). For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.
 
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