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There’s still many, many moons to go before the start of the 2017 college football season.
But that doesn’t mean folks at Nicholls State University are sitting idly waiting for the fall to roll in.
Renovations have been ongoing throughout the spring at John L. Guidry Stadium, as the university tries to continue its push for better athletic facilities – even in the face of statewide budget cuts, which have limited the amount of money the university pools in.
In the past month, crews removed the playing surface in the stadium, replacing it with a new, synthetic playing surface, which the team will use in summer practices and also in the 2017 season.
Work for the project was recently completed and the field was used for commencement exercises over the weekend.
Colonels Athletic Director Matt Roan said the new playing surface is first-class and will give the Colonels an added boost – both in competition and also in recruiting.
“This enhancement will impact our University, department and program in several ways,” Roan said. “First and foremost, its safety and playability are first-in-class. The welfare and experience of our student-athletes is of supreme importance to us. But additionally, its durability will allow us to host additional events, which will enhance our fan experience and will provide us a boost in recruiting.”
The new surface passes the test – both in safety and appearance.
It was installed by Geo-Surfaces, out of Baton Rouge – a leader in the synthetic turf industry.
The new surfaces features GeoGreen Replicated Grass system and also the GeoFlo shock pad technology, which makes the field among the safest in the country, according to university officials.
Design-wise, the field will be multi-colored with darker and lighter shades of green in five-yard intervals. It also features the Nicholls logo at midfield, as well as the Manning Field and Southland Conference logos on each 25-yard-line.
The end zones are also more attractive. They’re painted red with the word ‘Nicholls’ on one side and ‘Colonels’ in the other.
The renovation replaces the last surface the Colonels played on, which was more than a decade old. That surface was donated to the University by General Sports Venue – the company which marketed AstroTurf.
The field was also laid down, thanks to help from the Manning Family, which led to its name: Manning Field.
The new renovation was funded, thanks to multiple sources, according to Roan, who thanked them all for their continued support to Nicholls athletics.
“This project would not be possible without the generosity of Cooper Collins and the support of the University and the Nicholls State University Foundation,” Roan said. “Our department is indebted to and appreciates each of these individuals and groups.”
Nicholls will showcase its new system on Aug. 31 when the Colonels host rival McNeese State to kick-off the 2017 football season.
NICHOLLS DEDICATES DIAMOND TO LONG-TIME SUPPORTER
John L. Guidry Stadium isn’t the only athletic facility at Nicholls getting a little polish.
The university’s baseball diamond has been getting a little love, too.
During last Sunday’s game against Stephen F. Austin, Nicholls State University’s baseball program held a dedication to unveil Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
The reason for the dedication was to show appreciation to the Meyer family, which has funded several athletic programs at the university throughout the years.
Longtime Nicholls supporter Tommy Meyer recently gave a transformative pledge to Nicholls athletics, which will be used to upgrade the infield and foul territory at the park to Geo-Surfaces artificial turf, as well as other facility enhancements around the university.
The dedication was made in the name of Ben Meyer, Tommy’s brother. He was a Nicholls student who died in a car accident in 2001 at the age of 23.
According to a news release issued by Nicholls, Ben Meyer had a passion for Taekwondo and competed in the National Championships in both 1996 and 1997, while representing the university.
Colonels coach Seth Thibodeaux said he’s grateful for the renovations and support from Tommy Meyer and the rest of his family.
He said the upgrades will help the baseball team in the future.
“I am very appreciative of Tommy – not only from a professional standpoint – I consider him to be a very, very close friend and a great supporter,” Thibodeaux said. “He’s been by my side since I’ve been the head coach here. I think he has a true, sincere love for Nicholls athletics and the people that work here and he wants to be a part of it.”
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