New Mexico State’s “unplayable” practice field receives help from university professor

According to a report from the Las Cruces Sun News, the New Mexico State football team is finally having its practice field situation addressed.

The Aggies, according to the report, have practiced on their home turf at Aggie Memorial Stadium and not on their bermudagrass practice field — Presley Askew Field — behind the stadium.

Head coach Jerry Kill told the Sun News that his team has practiced on 110-degree turf in the stadium, which was still the preferred option to the unplayable surface on the practice field.

With the help of Bernd Lainauer, regents professor and turfgrass extension specialist in the college of agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences, the field is being refurbished. Lainauer has consulted with the campus facilities and services department, suggesting fixes that have begun to make the field suitable for use again.

With Lainauer’s guidance, the facilities and services department leveled the field through fraise mowing and addressed issues with turf not growing thanks to painted on yard lines by installing new sod and topdressing.

According to the Sun News report, the next fix will be the irrigation system, which Lainauer says is likely outdated.