Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University To Upgrade Ralph Young Field
3/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University and the Spartan field hockey program are making significant upgrades to Ralph Young Field, the home of MSU field hockey, this spring with a brand new artificial turf, as well as installing an underlying watering system, to improve the quality of the playing surface. Construction is scheduled to begin May 15 and be completed July 27 with the overall cost of the project projected at $1.2 million.
"The entire field hockey program is ecstatic that Ralph Young Field will be upgraded before the start of the 2017 season," said head coach Helen Knull. "I would like to thank President Simon, Athletic Director Mark Hollis, Deputy Athletic Director Greg Ianni and the Michigan State Board of Trustees for their commitment to the field hockey program. We feel very fortunate to play at Ralph Young Field in the shadows of Spartan Stadium. The new turf and watering system will allow us to practice and compete on a state-of-the-art surface and provide our student-athletes the best opportunity to win championships. As we are hosting the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, it will be fantastic to showcase the new facility and the Michigan State brand."
Ralph Young Field is home of the Michigan State field hockey and track and field programs. Located in the heart of campus adjacent to Spartan Stadium, the facility features seating for more than 1,500 spectators.
In addition to the new playing surface and sprinkler system, Ralph Young Field will feature a brand new scoreboard this fall.
The site was renovated at the turn of the century and constructed for the dual purpose of housing the MSU field hockey program as well as the men's and women's track and field programs. On Sept. 6, 2002, the MSU field hockey team opened a new chapter in the history books with the unveiling of the MSU Field Hockey Complex at Ralph Young Field.
MSU field hockey has found great success at home over the course of the program's history, as the Spartans own a 179-106-13 (.624) in games played in East Lansing.
