Duke University is giving its historic Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium a modern facelift. The school announced plans Monday to replace the natural grass playing surface with new artificial turf in the shade of Duke Blue.
The renovation project is slated to begin in May and would take approximately two months to complete. If all goes according to schedule, the Blue Devils will debut the updated field when they host Elon for their 2024 season opener on August 30th.
According to Duke Athletics, this upcoming installation of artificial grass is the second major renovation in the stadium’s near century-long existence. A previous three-phase overhaul between 2014-2017 lowered the field by seven feet, removed the surrounding track, and added amenities like an LED video board and the Blue Devil Tower suite/press box structure.
The aesthetic switch to Duke’s signature blue turf coincides with the university’s celebration of its Centennial year in 2024, marking 100 years since the transition from Trinity College. The university aims to use this milestone to “recognize Duke’s extraordinary past, communicate the impact of the present and look toward the potential of the institution’s future.”
Replacing natural grass with artificial turf has become an increasingly popular move for college programs as well. The surface requires less maintenance and is more conducive to multi-use venues like Brooks Field that hosts sports beyond just football.
