Rhodes Stadium is much more than steel, concrete, bricks and mortar. The green grass of the playing field is the result of extensive research and planning, and sophisticated construction methods.

Named in honor of trustee Bob McKinnon '62 and his wife, Ray, McKinnon Field is identical to the playing surfaces in many NFL stadiums. McGovern Sports Fields, Inc., of Ft. Myers, Fla., which installed similar fields for venues such as Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte and Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, did the work for Ray and Bob McKinnon McKinnon Field. Functional and attractive, these sand-based fields help reduce injuries by providing a firm, reliable surface for players to make quick cuts and turns.

"Elon has the most current, state-of-the-art field anywhere," says Bud McGovern, a 47-year turf management veteran who supervised the project.

 Work on the field began in the fall of 2000 with the installation of more than 12,000 feet of plastic pipe to provide drainage. On top of this drainage network came a four-inch blanket of stone, followed by a 12-inch root zone composed of a blend of silica sand and peat moss. In May, this base was graded using laser technology, in preparation for the installation of sod at the end of June.

Elon landscape manager Larry Rhodes spent months studying varieties of grass and the latest methods in turf maintenance before selecting TifSport brand Bermuda grass, which is bred specifically for athletic fields and golf courses. "In my mind, the effect of a beautiful, modern stadium is lost if you don't have a field that measures up to that standard," says Rhodes. The 106,000 square feet of turf was grown over an 18-month period at Oakland Plantation in Council, N.C., and then laid down in 50-foot-long strips.

Following its installation, the sod was mowed daily, with McGovern's crew gradually lowering its height from 3/4-inch to 7/16-inch, the height maintained for games. Weekly tissue and soil tests helped Rhodes keep an eye on the level of nutrients in the soil and make the necessary adjustments in irrigation and fertilizer amounts.

McGovern says the sand base and drainage pipes will keep McKinnon Field playable even in the heaviest rain. "This field has a percolation rate of 12-14 inches per hour, which means it could take a foot of rain and one hour later be suitable for play."