Jasper’s new turf football field honors local hall of fame coach
Joe Rohleder Field is the new name for Jasper School Corporation’s new turf football field.
After nearly three years of planning and proposals, the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board approved the new turf field during its regular meeting Monday evening. The new field’s cost of about $976,000 has been covered by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The only request by the donor is they would like the field to be named in honor of Joe Rohleder, the Indiana Football and Wrestling Hall of Fame coach that was Jerry Brewer’s defensive coordinator for 30 years.
Originally known as Alumni Stadium before being renamed Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium, the new name will be Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium and Joe Rohleder Field.
Field Turf will begin installation on May 15 with completion in time for the 2017 football season.
The new field will have a two-inch blade depth and a bit under 10 pounds of infill. It will also feature a new drainage system designed to make the field playable about 20 minutes after it rains.
Along with the new field, the track around the field will be resurfaced with poly-resin, replacing the asphalt.
According to Athletic Director Andy Noblitt, the upgraded field will be equal to those seen at college stadiums. “It has everything we were looking for and rivals anything you will see across the country,” he said. “We are going to have a quality product.”
The turf field will allow activities to take place nearly year-round. With the grass field, spring athletic practices and events were not held on the field.
“It will change our practice situation greatly for our football program, no longer will they move to a parking lot when it rains or into the gymnasium,” Noblitt said. “From a track standpoint, it allows us to practice on a surface that will prevent injuries like shin splints and things of that nature. Previously, we couldn’t practice on the field because we attempting to get the grass to grow especially in April and May.”
With the drainage system, other early spring sports like baseball and softball could have access to a field that drains quickly allowing for more appropriate practices.
“I think it could even create a possibility of us hosting a larger band invitational since many of those have been moved to turf,” he added.
The new track surface is expected to be longer lasting than the current asphalt surface. It is also expected to reduce injuries and prepare athletes for the type of surface they will encounter at regionals and state finals.
Along with the injury prevention expected with the new surfaces, the school could see savings in regards to maintenance. The field’s lifetime is estimated to be up to 15 years.
“This is a culmination of about three years of work for the turf committee,” Noblitt said. “I think this will be a big boost for our football program as well as the track program.”
Stories about the turf proposal.
