Notre Dame to install artificial turf at stadium

Published Apr. 12, 2014 1:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Artificial turf will be installed at Notre Dame Stadium in time for the start of the upcoming football season.

Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said the university wanted to stay with natural grass, but said a combination of factors including the university holding commencement at the stadium in recent years has made it harder to maintain good field conditions.

Last year the university installed new sod at the stadium three times, including once in the middle of the season. Coach Brian Kelly had said previously he wanted FieldTurf installed.

The university announced during its spring Blue-Gold game Saturday that installation of FieldTurf will begin after the commencement ceremony on May 18 and should be completed by Aug. 15.

The Irish open the season Aug. 30 at home against Rice.