Progress Continues on Paul Laird Field Turf Installation

DURANT, Okla. -- Turf installation continues at Paul Laird Field at Southeastern. 

Installation began in mid-May and will take approximately one month to complete. 
"Our top priorities for this project are focused around student-athlete safety, playability, durability and aesthetics," said Athletic Director Keith Baxter. "I think we have accomplished all those goals with this new surface."  

 "The resurfacing of Paul Laird Field has brought a new level of excitement to the football program, athletic department, and University as a whole," continued Baxter. 
 

Hellas Construction won the bid for the project and installation of their Matrix® Turf began in early May.

The design includes the Oval SE logo at midfield, Southeastern in the south end zone, and Savage Storm in the north end zone. Those graphics are the most noticable difference from the previous surface and one that Baxter says is a significant improvement. 

"The University logo at midfield and word marks in the end zones will bring a sense of pride and identity for our student-athletes and campus community," said Baxter. 

Bo Atterberry, head coach of the Savage Storm football team, has already seen the turf make a difference for his program. 

"The new surface is having an immediate impact with recruiting," said Atterberry. "Current players, students, alumni, fans... they all love the logos and the new look at Paul Laird Field."

Installation of the turf will be completed before SE Football holds their camps in mid-June. For more information about the youth camp (grades 1-8) or high school camp (grades 9-12), visit ABCsportscamps.com/SEfootball. 

Field turf was first installed in 2005 after a pair of historic quarter-cent sales taxes designed to fund both city and university sports facilities. The Durant Community Facility Authority (DCFA) was created and then-A.D. Dr. Jeff Hale was named its chair. The renovation of Paul Larid Field was phase one of the DCFA's mission and included installation of an artificial field turf, home-side seating expansion, and the construction of new locker and training room facilities beyond the south end zone. The field turf installed in 2005 was good for ten years. 

Renamed for 'The Grand Old Man of Southeastern' after Paul Laird's death in 1939, the stadium is home to SE's storied football program which has won 17 conference championships and made four postseason appearances. 

SE football won six of their last seven GAC games in 2014 to finish with a 7-4 regular season record. Atterberry took over the program in January of 2014 and led the Savage Storm to the program's first winning season since 2009 in his first full year at the helm. 
 

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