The state Board of Regents on Friday approved the lease of Bobcat Stadium to the MSU Foundation, a move required under state law to make stadium upgrades.
“I'm really excited about the turf, for a number of reasons,” said MSU football coach Rob Ash. “First, it gives us an insurance policy with respect to the weather on game days. I think it will be much more enjoyable for our players and fans.
The installation of the turf won't begin until the conclusion of spring drills in late April, but athletics director Peter Fields said the foundation will be able to hire an engineer and contractor to do the earth-moving.
Montana State's 1984 national championship football team has been the driving force behind raising the estimated $900,000 needed for the project.
“I want to thank coach Dave Arnold for bringing players from that great 1984 team together again to participate in this project, and I want to thank the members of that team who stepped forward and made contributions,” Fields said. “Their passion for this school and this program is amazing.”
Fields said the goal is to have the turf in place by Aug. 1.
The lease to the MSU Foundation allows the stadium improvements to take place without requirements of the state's “request for proposal” process, which would not allow in-kind donations of work or materials, said Mick Robinson, associate commissioner for fiscal affairs for the Montana university system.
The Board of Regents also approved MSU's plan to spend up to $250,000 to hire an architect to plan and design new sky suites for the east side of Bobcat Stadium, similar to the suites on the west side. School officials expect the cost to be less due to donated services.
The University of Montana installed SprinTurf prior to the 2001 season.
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