Turf Disease Takes Hold of Baujan Field

TJ Thompson | Sports Editor 

University of Dayton’s home soccer stadium, Baujan Field, is experiencing problems with the turf causing one game to be canceled and one to be moved. 

 During Baujan Fields’ 99-year history at UD, it has experienced problems with the playing surface, but nothing like it is experiencing right now. A turf disease called, “gray leaf spot” is attacking the field. Gray leaf spot is an infection that kills blades of grass. Scott DeBolt, Senior Associate Director of Athletics at UD said, “The unusually warm weather pattern has caused it to flourish across the Midwest.” 

DeBolt, who oversees all facilities at the University of Dayton, made it clear that this disease is not mold and that UD has been trying to treat it all fall semester. 

Two games have been affected by this outbreak. First was the men’s Wabash game that was scheduled for Sept. 14. Dayton’s athletic department felt this game could be canceled because it was an out-of-conference game that would not affect UD’s strength of schedule. The second game affected was the men’s game against Western Michigan, which is a top-10 team in the country. This was not canceled but instead moved to the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus. 

“We were able to move it to a prominent professional soccer facility to give both teams the chance to play in a nationally renowned soccer facility,” Debolt said when talking about the decision to move the game.    

DeBolt also recognizes that this was also an out-of-conference game, but felt it had more importance. He said, “It is a great opportunity for our team, as Western Michigan is ranked fourth in Division I.” 

 The University has plans to open the field back up as soon as possible and there are no plans to host any games on Stuart Field. They are giving themselves a 10-day window to “aggressively” treat it, as UD believes the women’s soccer team will play Richmond at home on Sept. 22.