Walking into Spratt Stadium may seem a little different. Phase one of the Max Experience has been completed and checked off the to do list.

Football and soccer players now have new green, yellow, black and white turf to squish their cleats into. The track resurfacing was also part of phase one of the Max Experience, a student fee referendum passed in March.

Both teams started practicing on the new turf over two weeks ago and the most common response from those individuals was, “I love it.”

The cost of the track and turf together will total between $750,000 and $800,000 which is on budget. Gumbo, a type of soil that traps water, was found while putting in the sub-base. The soil had to be solidified which cost an an extra $9,000. The turf’s lifespan runs about eight to 12 years. This turf has an eight year warranty and is expected to last the whole eight years.

Michelle Polk, a returning soccer player, says she really likes the turf because it’s faster compared to grass.

“I like it a lot, it’s a lot faster pace and it’s the maximum footage we’re allowed to have,” Polk said. “So I think it gets us in shape pretty well for other fields that we will be playing on.”

Even though the new turf helps players with speed, having the maximum footage allowed might take more effort.

The soccer team will now host their home games at Spratt Stadium rather than having to play on bumpy ground at the Riverside Soccer Complex.

“It helps that the turf is flat and we don’t have a bunch of potholes and that cuts down on injury which we can’t have right now because of our few numbers.”

From kicking balls around to catching them in the air, football is seeing the biggest difference.

Football’s head coach Jerry Partridge says he can see a difference in his team now that they are able to practice on the same field they play on.

“It seems like over there in the practice field it’s kind of in a valley and the heat gets trapped down in there and it just seems like the attitude is a lot better when you’re in the stadium,” Partridge said.

Partridge said the turf is a truer surface and you don’t have to worry about getting ruts like in grass. The turf is able to be used whether the sun is shining or is being hit by rain drops. “You can practice under the lights and under the heat without it being hot and get out there when it’s cooler and have the lights on and not tear your field up,” Partridge said.

Partridge said another positive would be that his players feel like they’re faster.

Even though the new turf has many positives there are still some negatives.

“I think there’s some more abrasions,” Partridge said. “It seems like to me there’s a few more muscle pulls just because it’s almost like being on a beach to a certain extinct. I’m a little nervous about some of the knee injuries and ankle injuries that could happen because I think their feet can get caught.”

The turf was just one part of phase one. The track was resurfaced and won’t be made of rubber any longer. Now that the track and turf is completed Athletic Director Mark Linder hopes not only athletes use the new track and turf but students as well.

He has expectations that students use it play intramural sports, and as a place to set up booths, outdoor conventions and concerts.

“I’m excited. They have the first project completed and on time,” Linder said. “Hopefully the students see it and are excited about it and know they can get out there and use it. Student groups will be able to reserve it and have functions out there.” Students don’t only have advantages outside of games there are many positives during home games.

“The benefit package is in place and ready to go,” Linder said. “We already have the bus trip lined up for the Central Missouri State University football game for the students; we have the website set up for people declare their four immediate family members.”

The benefit package also includes two free concession stand items at the student concession stand. Students will also be able to use their flex dollars at the concession stand after their two items.

What’s next on the priority tree? That is up to the students. “We need to make sure that we know what our annual revenue stream is going to be. We need to make sure we can pay for the benefit package and then pay for the turf,” Linder said. “Once we get close to paying off the turf, we’ll probably look at a new floor in the arena, which is starting to buckle. We probably need to move that up on the priority tree.”

Missouri Western fronted the money for the contruction of phase one which will be paid back when the student fees are collected.

Linder says they don’t want to get ahead of themselves and will take the time it takes to pay off this first phase.

“If it takes three semesters to pay it then that means we can start a project earlier, if it takes 12 semesters to pay for what we spent then we don’t start the next phase until 12 semesters. A lot depends on enrollment,” Linder said.

On Saturday, August 29, there will be a “Tough the Turf” kickoff party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students, staff, faculty and members of the community will be able to watch football practice and meet the Griffon athletes.

The Max Experience was approved by the student body on March 9, with 75 percent voting yes out of 754. Students pay $5 per credit hour up to 12 hours.

View video of the new turf: Multimedia