BYU the latest
to call Aloha Stadium
surface dangerous

Crowton says he doesn't want
to play on Aloha Stadium's turf

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

The Hawaii and Brigham Young football programs are on the same side about something, as another salvo has been fired in the Aloha Stadium turf war -- this one all the way from Provo, Utah.

UH coach June Jones said he was told that BYU coach Gary Crowton won't bring his team to play in Hawaii if the same artificial surface is on the field as last year, when the Warriors beat the Cougars 72-45.

Jones called Crowton yesterday morning to ask if that was true.

"He said it was," Jones said. "BYU doesn't want to play on that turf because some of their players are still recovering from injuries they got from the turf in that game (last December).

"We definitely want to play them again. They're our biggest rival," Jones added.

UH is tentatively scheduled to host BYU next on Oct. 2, 2004.

Crowton was unavailable for comment last night.

The UH athletic administration is trying to gain control of Aloha Stadium. Currently, the state owns and operates the stadium and UH pays $800,000 rent per year to use it.

A bill in the state legislature this session giving UH control of the stadium has stalled. But another bill looking at changing the field surface is still moving.

Also, the NFL Players Association said the Pro Bowl, played annually at Aloha Stadium, will be moved out of Hawaii if the surface isn't changed.

Veteran linebacker Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers was one of several Pro Bowl players who told the Star-Bulletin in February that they don't want to play on the surface.

"It's proven it's dangerous," he said. "It's ridiculous to risk injury on that surface, especially in an all-star exhibition type of game."

A switch to natural grass might not be practical because of heavy use in the fall. But Jones and others support a surface such as FieldTurf, which is a synthetic and as easy to maintain as traditional artificial turf, but seems to cause fewer injuries than older types of turf.

"I'd have to consult with our football schools, but based on what we know about FieldTurf we're keeping an open mind on whether it's desirable to make the switch," said Keith Amemiya, executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association. "I do know we'd have greater concerns if there was talk about switching to natural grass. That would effectively shut out the high school kids because of the wear on the field."

Stadium manager Eddie Hayashi said the problem of the field surface is being addressed.

"We are conducting a study right now," he said yesterday. "It will be completed soon. Then we will be able to answer ... questions."