Fresh Start: Cal Bears Head Into 2017 Season With New FieldTurf & New Coach

​​After a less-than-golden experience with a competing artificial turf manufacturer, the University of California, Berkeley, decided it was time for a change.

Earlier this year, the Golden Bears announced they chose FieldTurf as their turf provider for an overhaul of Memorial Stadium’s playing surface, five years after resurfacing in 2012. 

"We chose FieldTurf because it provides the best playing surface available, one that is safe, durable and easy to maintain."

Herb Benenson, Assistant Athletic Director

Cal’s administration said FieldTurf’s reputation as the top artificial surface and the quality of its turf systems are what spurred their decision. "Our student-athletes who use California Memorial Stadium will enjoy our new state-of-the-art surface from FieldTurf, while we expect fans will like the traditional designs enhanced with a few modern touches," Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer Chris Pezman said.

The new field will be the centerpiece of Cal’s Memorial Stadium, home to one of college football's most high-powered offenses and the home of legendary running back Marshawn Lynch. Former USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will be leading the Bears in 2017, his first season as head coach.  

REVOLUTION 360 THE FIELD OF CHAMPIONS

Named after the concept of completeness, the Revolution 360 fiber features optimal durability, resilience and feel.

Quickly becoming the most popular surface in North America, the University of California, Berkeley will join an impressive list of current users, of which features CenturyLink Field, home of the Seahawks & Sounders, Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots & Revolution, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Falcons and United, Portland Timbers, Princeton University, Toledo University, University of Texas at El Paso and over 200 High School and community fields.

UNMATCHED DURABILITY

Independent testing by both Labosport and Penn State University rated Revolution 360 as the premier turf system on the market.

In fact, Revolution 360 is still the first and only fiber in the industry to score an 83 on Labosport's Fiber Performance Index, the first true measurement of fiber quality. And the only one to receive a perfect 10 - 10 “good”, NO “hair-splitting”, NO “fractured”, NO “complete splitting” after Penn State University's Sports Surface Research Center’s aggressive 150,000 cycle Lisport Wear Testing.

Source: FieldTurf