New Field Turf Installed For SXU Football Team

CHICAGO, IL — A month-long project to replace the field turf at Saint Xavier University's Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field is nearing completion. The school has shared photos of the work that's been completed so far, which reveal a spruced up design.

The new field is highlighted by a giant 'X' ingrained with the Cougar logo at midfield and end zones painted in red with "SXU" in white lettering.

The pictures everyone’s be asking about. #redzones #midfield #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/xLswEazzTn
— SXU Cougar Football (@SXUFootball) May 16, 2018

SXU Head Football Coach Mike Feminis said the new field replaces a same type of service that had been in place there since 2006.

"The field turf is supposed to be replaced about every eight years, so the old turf was starting to become a liability," said Feminis, whose been at the helm of the school's football program since 1999.

He said field turf is "the Cadillac of the industry" and something used by many NCAA Division I schools and by some NFL teams at their stadiums.

The project is being paid for in full by the university, although Feminis notes the football program itself has raised more than $1 million over several years in paying for other improvements at the school's athletic facilities.

"We're very thankful to the university for taking on this project and seeing it as a priority," he said.

Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field is also home to SXU's men's and women's soccer teams and often used as a practice venue for the school's marching band and baseball and softball teams.

In the spring, several area high school football teams use it as a central spot to conduct 7-on-7 drills. The field replacement project means many of those will not occur this year.

A coach of an area youth softball team said at least part of the old turf will be used by them.

Photos courtesy of Greg Gorham / SXU Athletics