Taking a cue from Boise State's famous blue turf, Eastern Washington is planning to install an artificial red playing surface inside its football stadium. The Big Sky program's official school colors are red and white.

Former EWU star Michael Roos, now in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, has pledged $500,000 toward the "Red Turf Project.'' School officials in Cheney hope to raise additional private money and have the field installed for the 2010 season.

Boise State has had a blue field since 1986.

"There is no doubt that one of Boise State's claims to fame has been their blue turf and like it or dislike it, it has certainly brought them a tremendous amount of notoriety," EWU athletic director Bill Chaves said. "In a similar vein we have a tremendous opportunity at Eastern to do the same by differentiating ourselves with the red turf while providing a superior playing surface."

EWU football coach Beau Baldwin said the red field will provide significant advantages to his program.

"It's huge for recruiting because potential student-athletes can see the progress we are making and the positive direction of our program," he said. "With all the different events that can take place at Woodward Field and a stronger game-day experience, it's bound to bring more exposure to our program. We already feel proud about the great things we are doing, but hopefully this project will help us be even bigger and better."

Eastern Washington said the turf installation will save approximately 300,000 gallons of water per year.


I guess that's what you call going green....um...red?

UT was talking about going back to turf so their cheerleaders would stop grazing at halftime.