Eureka College to Install Artificial Surface at McKinzie Field

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College will install an artificial turf surface at Pete FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field, according to an announcement from EC Director of Athletics Steve Thompson. The renovation will be complete in time for the sixth annual Lincoln Bowl versus Knox on Sept. 2, 2017.

In conjunction with the renovation for the Eureka football program, the Eureka men's and women's soccer programs will play select matches at McKinzie Field beginning in 2017. The soccer programs will also continue to utilize the natural-grass pitch at Traister Field.

"We are elated to provide this new and exciting opportunity for our community," Thompson said. "Not only will this renovation positively impact hundreds of Eureka College students, it will be a valuable resource for all members of the campus community and residents of Eureka."

The facility will be available year-round for game competition and other outdoor events. The turf will also provide a weather-resistant practice surface for all outdoor EC sports, including baseball and softball.

"It's important to give our students every opportunity to succeed and to provide an extraordinary experience at Eureka College," Thompson said. "This project will deliver another championship-level facility to our campus. The new surface will be durable, reduce injuries to our student-athletes and be virtually maintenance-free for a significant period of time."

"This renovation will give Eureka College one of the premier outdoor multi-purpose facilities in NCAA Division III," Thompson added. "We're eager for it to be completed."

Eureka will become the first football-only member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference to install artificial turf. EC will also join full-time UMAC members Crown, Minnesota Morris and Northwestern (Minn.) as football schools with an artificial game competition surface available on campus.

The announcement comes on the heels of the major renovation to the Reagan Athletic Complex and Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center in the spring and summer of 2015. The Eureka volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball teams are currently in their second seasons competing in the 900-seat arena that features a state-of-the-art playing floor, all chair-back seating and a new heating and air-conditioning system.

McKinzie Field has played host to 348 regular-season Eureka football games since opening on Oct. 18, 1930. The Red Devils have recorded 18 home wins under current head coach Kurt Barth, including a 4-1 home record in 2016.