Johnson Athletics Adding a turf option to our SHAPE Facility Multi Gym
Posted: Jul 21, 2022
Johnson Athletics Adding a turf option to our SHAPE Facility Multi Gym
Exciting improvement to Johnson Athletic to start the 2022-2023 academic and athletic year. The Johnson Athletic Department has added a new removable indoor sports turf to our existing 8,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose gym.
Director of Athletics Greg Eckman stated:
"The Johnson Athletic Department is extremely fortunate to have been provided the funding from Interim President Mill prior this his departure for our new removable indoor sports turf for our existing 8,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose gym. Early in the Spring President Mills and I had a discussion regarding steps we could take to invest in the NVU Athletic departments, specifically for us the Johnson campus. Following additional discussions with the Johnson Coaches and Athletic Staff the decision was made to pursue indoor removable sports turf. With the addition of the indoor sports turf we will now be able to continue to train when the weather does not cooperate for our outdoor teams, this will be of great benefit to all our outdoor teams as the playing surface will now mimic the outdoor conditions."
"The indoor sports turf goes well beyond benefiting the athletic department. Our students will now have more options with intramurals and club offerings, community adult and youth sport leagues, such as futsal, lacrosse, flag football, ultimate Frisbee just to name a few"
Statement from Men's Soccer Head Coach Andrew Lafrenz:
"We are so very thankful to AD Greg Eckman and former Interim President John Mills for their support and work to help our NVU - Johnson Athletes realize this new training reality. Adding a turf option to our SHAPE Facility Multi Gym is an incredible additional training option for many of our spring and fall athletes. This flexible option will allow for a turf surface during the winter months that can be transformed back to a multi-surface option and support ALL of our community's needs. Our players are beyond excited and this surface will allow for far more realistic training during the winter months and inclement weather. We're fortunate to have an on-campus, indoor turf training space and our Badger family has already begun to reap the benefits."
Statement for Women's Soccer Head Coach John "Norm" Peterson:
"This is one of the finest indoor soccer spaces in the state and I'm beyond excited that it is on our campus. We have a bunch of Student-Athletes who love soccer and already had a robust indoor pickup scene on campus. Now we have a playing surface of the highest level and that will only add to the excitement and participation that will make our programs stronger. This will help our team prepare for come conference games on turf fields. Will give us access to alternative training times and the ability to conduct practices in any weather condition. Including all winter!
Johnson is a school where Vermonters can come for an affordable education and can play on a competitive NCAA DIII Soccer team. Looking forward to this helping Johnson soccer get to the next level."
Statement from Softballs Head Coach Jeff Arnold
"Having the turf installed in the gym is a very big step forward on growing not only our Softball team, but our Athletic department as a whole. This will allow us to really step up our ability to have better, more productive practices in all areas especially when it comes to agility and footwork in sports like Soccer and Softball. It will also give a big advantage for recruiting purposes when visiting prospects can lay eyes on this. This is a huge step for all of us in the Athletic Department and I'm looking forward to making the best of this when we start our season in January."
