What's the Secret to Managing Michigan State's Real Grass Football Field? Science

A field that features all green is a battle ground during the fall. The real grass turf field at Michigan State is one of a few natural grass fields left in college football. And this year, the team has a record of 8-0, as the field also remains undefeated. 

In 2019, Michigan State returned to natural grass for its football field, after a 33 year hiatus. For Andy Flynn, the field is his office. As the Athletic Tuff Manager for Michigan State University, he says the football field gets cut three times a week, as the field is managed meticulously. 

“It's at seven-eighths of an inch,” explains Flynn. “We actually cut around the goalposts with scissors. All we do, yes, yes, we do. We don't want to scuff the paint off the gold poles with a you know with the line trimmer, so yeah, we use scissors.”

Whether you’re seeing the field in-person during a Michigan State University football game, or watching the game on TV, the game is often the center of attention, and the field goes unnoticed. But the field is often

Michigan State's real grass football field consists of nice varieties of grass. And with that many varieties, mixed together to create prime playing conditions, it means the management is constant

“The big thing that we have on our side is that it's a science,” says Flynn.

The real grass turf has to be tough enough to endure the clash of the cleats and weekly wear and tear. And that was apparent during the big Michigan State versus Michigan football game last weekend. The game was lively, and rain made conditions less than prime. And it was Michigan State who came out on top.

“We focus on optimals” says Flynn. “When we're looking at managing the plant, we want to have optimal soil conditions, optimal moisture. That's the biggest focus. So, we're always making sure that we have all of the essentials available for the plant at all times.”

The most challenging factor is one farmers also face. 

“I think it's the weather. I think everyone would agree with that in the ag business. You're always having to pick and choose and weigh your options daily, and get things done just based on the weather,” explains Flynn.

The decisions on how to manage the football field are driven by science. And Flynn has learned from one of the best.

“This is this is fall number 34,” says Trey Rogers,  professor in the Department of Plant Soil Microbial Sciences, who focuses on Turf Management.

His classroom isn’t your typical space. The Turf Management group has a research farm that was first planted in 1986.

“When I started here, it was 10 acres,” says Rogers. “And now it's almost 60. So it has grown a lot.”

The research is also something that doesn’t depict a typical agricultural research farm. The lush green fields are what you’d see at a golf course. And those fields provide prime training for students wanting to enter the turf grass field of careers.

“I think we have a program that can rival just about anybody in the United States,” says Rogers.

It’s his program that has helped produce turf grass professionals that enter the professional sports space. He says no matter what the students do upon graduation, most walk onto campus with what he calls the “turf bug. “

“From the very first day I meet them, I say, ‘from this point forward, is involving  taking you from labor to management.’”

The Michigan State program is so successful because of the real-time problems current students help solve. And Rogers says they may have one of their biggest opportunities yet over the next few years.

A former student was tapped to find a turf solution for FIFA, the international soccer league, and they immediately called Rogers for help.

“That issue is World Cup 26. And World Cup 26 is going to go from 32 teams in 2022 to 48 teams in 2026.

The issue is rooted in FIFA not just expanding the number of teams, but also the number of locations in which the games will be played in 2026

“When it goes to 48 teams, that means it's going to have 16 sights. And the World Cup is not going to be just in the United States.

The games will be played across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“So, now you're talking about 1500 miles north to south, 3000 miles east to west, three time zones, five climatic zones. And it is a big tiger by the tail,” he says.

It may be one of the biggest requests received by the turf grass team yet, but one Rogers is confident can score a solution

“We need to develop a system and the system is something that can satisfy FIFA,” he says. “And by that I mean World Cup soccer. FIFA is in charge of all this, so we need to satisfy them so that they're comfortable and confident they’ll have high quality games, no matter where they are throughout North America.”

No matter if it’s soccer played on an international scale, or the Spartans prepping for its largest rivalry game, it’s the current Michigan State turf team, along ones from the past, who continue to show no job is too big when science is on your side.