Thanks to a friend of mine, I will be attending Family Fest tomorrow, and yes I will take pictures for you guys. Question though.
Are the rules for Soldier Field the same as they are for games? Also, since this is my first time going to Family Fest, what can I expect? What happens? Just a public practice?
Last edited by The Benjamin; 08-02-2012 at 05:35 AM.
Did they water the field this year ?
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
Please try and get a pic of Paea in beast mode. Also, would like a picture of Jason Campbell holding the clip board.
They not only watered the field, they replaced the clay base with sand and improved the drainage system too. Should be in MUCH better shape this year. I hope.Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe
Well I'll be ....They not only watered the field, they replaced the clay base with sand and improved the drainage system too. Should be in MUCH better shape this year. I hope.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
I heard the Mc's were out there last week and the last few days making sure that there is no repeat from last year.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,4965570.story
Home > Sports > Chicago Bears
Bears hope to avoid another Family Night farce
Chicago Park District insists Soldier Field sod is ready for action
By Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune reporter August 3, 2012
The Chicago Park District and the Bears do not want a repeat of last year's Family Fest fiasco.
On that Friday in August, the public practice at Soldier Field was canceled at the last minute because the turf was deemed unplayable. Players got back on their buses and returned to Bourbonnais, leaving only free food and parking for the thousands of frustrated fans who showed up.
"It wasn't bad for us. We went down there and left," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "The worse part was for the fans, because they were all excited to see us. ... I would be very surprised if that happened again. It was frustrating."
This year, despite it being a brutal summer to grow and maintain grass, officials insist Soldier Field's much-maligned sod will be ready for Friday's event.
"It almost looks like carpeting, it's so beautiful," Soldier Field spokesman Luca Serra said proudly as he stood on the playing field Tuesday. "Hopefully we can keep that up. With the extreme conditions we have had this summer, we've been challenged."
The Chicago Park District says one key difference this year is the field has a sand base, rather than the clay base that was used last season. Serra also credits the Soldier Field drainage system for improved results.
The condition of the Soldier Field turf has been an ongoing controversy that has seen several Bears players — including Jay Cutler and Urlacher last year — take public shots.
Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on the topic Wednesday, when he visited Bears camp at Olivet Nazarene University.
"I was just talking to the (Bears) groundskeeper (Ken Mrock) over here," Goodell said. "And we were talking about it up in Green Bay earlier (Wednesday). What you can do to make sure the surfaces are the highest quality … but also you have to look at the amount of use on the field. And also, secondarily, the climate. You don't grow a lot of grass in Chicago in November or December. So you just have to be prepared for that."
Serra agrees that the grass is not always greener in the late fall and winter.
"We talk about the summer and what it takes to keep this going during extreme hot weather months. Well, they have the same extreme when we get into cold-weather months," Serra said. "Come, really, the end of October, there's no growing grass anymore. And it's really just about maintaining the grass that you do have and trying to keep it as hard and as solid as you can."
Serra and Soldier Field general manager Tim LeFevour are willing to follow the directives of the Bears officials when it comes possibly to switching to a synthetic surface that requires less maintenance. Until then, the grass will be subject to the routine wear and tear that comes with Chicago's conditions. Serra said the cost of re-sodding projects throughout the football season generally runs about $250,000 a pop.
"We go with what the Bears want to do," he said. "We're happy to switch. It would obviously open up a lot of possibilities for us here and using the field. ... I think a lot of those players probably want to go to a synthetic (surface), and prefer that from a speed standpoint. ... We're at the table, any time the Bears want to talk about it."
Soldier Field has a high school football game on Aug. 26 and the Northern Illinois vs. Iowa football game on Sept. 1 before the Bears host the Colts on Sept. 9. Serra said members of the Park District plan to meet with Bears officials after the NIU-Iowa game to determine how much of the field will need to be re-sodded.
Both Moon Mullins and Zach Z said the field looks amazing. Mullins said one vet said it looked the best since 03.
Drainage? For what? Lol at least not this year, the ground is SO, SO dry.
The passion of a few, to rule the many, that's Washington D.C.. Where else was that said before, about whom?
For all of the blood of our opponents that will be spilled, of course!
"Give 100%. 110% is impossible. Only idiots recommend that." - Ron Swanson
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