As a member of AU's Women's Field Hockey team, I would like to respond to both Kevin Hilgers' article concerning IM football complaints about the new turf, and Jesse Epstein's accompanying editorial. AU Field Hockey has been trying to get such a field as we have now for 6 years, in order to finally place our facilities at the same level as other Division I teams. For 6 years we have been waking at 4.30 AM in order to practice on UMD's or Georgetown's turf. We have scheduled our season around theirs, begging turf times as the lowest priority. For the past two years we have lost our right to host the Patriot League Tournament-despite being undefeated in the regular season-because we did not have a turf of our own. I realize that IM football has had to play off campus as well, but I beg to assert that Field Hockey has more of a vested interest in the new turf.
I know of only one other DI team that has a grass field-University of the Pacific, in Stockton, Ca-and they travel to either Cal or Stanford in order to host games on turf. AstroTurf is the premier surface for hockey-collegiate and international, and increasingly, for high school. It is not just inconvenient to play on grass or field turf, it actually detracts from the skill level possible, and therefore from the individual development of the player, and the group success of the team. As a DI team, currently ranked 4th in the nation, we would be severely crippling our potential should we switch to an alternative surface.
While I do acknowledge that AstroTurf can give some nasty burns-as attested to by the scars and scabs on my team's knees, elbows and hands-I disagree with the allegation that the surface itself is somehow more dangerous than grass. When one is properly attired and properly conditioned, AstroTurf is no more dangerous that any other surface. I have sustained my fair share of injuries playing hockey, but they have all been attributable to poor conditioning and/or preparation on my part, person-to-person contact, or freak occurrences of chance. If I may be so bold, may I suggest proper footwear (no cleats or bare feet!), a solid warm-up, and stretching before and after activity as the best way to prevent injuries. As for Mr Epstein's fear of a fraternity brother lying on the field with a broken neck, I would judge it to be more likely from poor form and an abundance of aggression in an opponent (as was the cause of my recent concussion) than from the turf itself. (And if I may be allowed to nitpick, Mr Epstein's assertion that Field Hockey contains more long-distance running is incorrect. A hockey game may be more accurately compared to a fartlek run, containing many short sprints and sharp changes of direction, with moments of jogging in-between).
If we are to compare the number of injuries, I know first hand that our Field Hockey team has sustained fewer injuries this preseason and season than last. As well, our coaching staff and athletic administration heavily researched the safety of our turf before making the purchase, and I have full confidence in their assurances. To compare the surfaces of turf to grass, the NCAA published injury statistics from 1986-2003 that show DI men's soccer having a mean injury rate of 20.02 for games and women's soccer as having a 17.39 mean for games, each playing almost exclusively on grass. Women's field hockey, playing almost exclusively on turf, has a mean injury rate of 8.387 for games. (NCAA News 3/1/2004)
Switching to a new surface is always unpleasant, and requires a time of adjustment and flexibility. I am sure, however, that with time those who now hold reservations about the new facility will come to have their fears allayed. In the mean time, I request that quick judgments and calls for resurfacing be held until the turf can prove itself. This turf has been a dream of so many for so long, years of hard work have gone into its procurement. To suggest that it could be quickly and inexpensively resurfaced is simply ludicrous.
And, naturally, all are warmly invited to come watch a home game, in order to see how important this field truly is.
Heidi Hershberger is a junior in the School of International Service and plays attacker on AU's #4 ranked NCAA Division I field hockey team.
