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Our Broken Fields Are A Broken Promise

It is paramount that Purdue University seriously considers installing an
artificial turf field to replace the shoddy grass splotch that is currently in use by the
student body intramural sports teams. Purdue aims to not only provide a worldclass education, but to also maintain an overall positive and healthy environment for
the students who call this renowned University their home. Yet, with the condition
of the current fields, they do not deliver on this promise. The situation with the
grass intramural field presents the school with issues concerning weather, student
health and safety, and effective use of the current space available. The conditions of
the grass fields are mediocre at best and often times are decimated by poor weather
conditions as well as over use by the teams who treat this space as their
battlegrounds. The broken field currently in place is a promise broken by the
university.
Keep Off The Grass
If a player is getting ready to play a competitive game of flag football, or one
of the many other intramural sports offered, they are most likely about to head out
on to the hole stricken grass splotch that is located just across the street from the
Hillenbrand dorms. Soccer, Baseball, Frisbee, and lacrosse are only a few of the
other possible intramural sports available to university students. On top of this, the
fields act as a location that allows anyone to organize their own event, or even a
spontaneous pick-up game with friends. Though, the towering floodlights that dot
the landscape shouldnt fool anyone. The breathtaking experience is quickly spoiled
by the absence of proper field conditions. These fields are far from professional
grade and the lack of an even playing field creates a difficult environment to
compete in.
The condition of the field even begins to beg the question are the intramural
fields safe to play on? Its only a matter of time before someone sprained an ankle;
heaven forbid an injury that is even more serious.
Heading out to play a game of football with friends? If it rains, simply forget
about it! Field conditions only go from average to appalling when the pitter-patter of
tiny water droplets begin to barrage the fields. Students should instead consider
staying dry, saving sports for a day when they dont run the risk of being swallowed
up by the bottomless mud pits that form as a result of the rain. The hard surface of
the fields is just a mask, only to be washed away by the rain, showing the truly
shocking identity of the field. The Intramural fields are attended to frequently, yet
even with this effort they are nowhere close to being in perfect condition. The
weather is often a factor that determines the ability to play an intramural game. And
with the amount of rain West Lafayette has received this semester conditions have
been far from favorable for the friendly competitions. Not only does the mud
present an immediate problem for both the league and its players, but a long term

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issue when the fields become irreversibly distorted and riveted with gouges and
craters after the rainfall. No amount of maintenance will be able to prevent the turf
from warping into a muddy mess.
A New Turf, A healthy Body And A Happy Mind
By introducing an intramural turf field on campus the university will be
working towards their goal of providing an exciting atmosphere, as well as
promoting a healthy and physically active experience for the students living on
campus. Although a daunting project, the installation of an artificial turf offers better
conditions, more playing time for the numerous sports teams, and a wide range of
opportunities for students to improve their overall health and fitness. Further more,
the new fields will boost the social experience on campus. All of these benefits will
improve life on campus while offering a more efficient use of the intramural space.
The idea of an artificial turf field has developed out of the growing need for a
desirable playing surface that is not affected by the adverse weather conditions that
barrage the field over the course of
the year. Because the new field will
be artificial, and not real grass,
these harsh weather conditions will
no longer become a limiting factor.
There is no way that the artificial
turf can be ruined by rain, sleet or
snow. The field will no longer be
marked with cuts, scrapes, gouges
and scars and instead will always be
able to provide a consistent playing
(US News Stock Photo)

surface for teams.

The need for an artificial turf has even been identified by the Intramural
league themselves, who have even taken the necessary steps to accurately gauge
students opinions on the proposal of such a project by posting an open survey on
the website in the hopes of finding out if student interest is high enough to continue
with the idea. The league has not come to a conclusion on the matter.
By promoting physical activity with the new artificial field many students
will experience the health benefits of living an active lifestyle. As a result of the new
field more students will be encouraged to stay active and in turn live healthier lives.
The increase in physical exercise in young adults can decrease risks of obesity and
the onset of type two diabetes, breast cancer,
and even cardiovascular complications.

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It has been proven that regular physical activity provides a wide range of
health benefits, while also decreasing an individuals risk for other health
complications. According to the Harvard Health article The Benefits of Physical
Activity Next to not smoking, getting regular physical activity is arguably the best
thing you can do for your health. Any amount of exercise is better than none. The
more you get, though, the better. And remember: Cutting back on televisionwatching and other sedentary pastimes is just as important as becoming more
active. (Harvard Health) The implications to a sedentary style of living
(US News Stock Photo)
are life altering. Even watching too much television each day can be
detrimental to an individuals health. Harvard points out They found
that for every two hours the women spent watching television each day, they had a
23 percent higher risk of becoming obese and 14 percent higher risk of developing
diabetes. (Harvard Health) Not only that, but a sedentary life style has been proven
to even be deadly. For senior citizens living in community health centers, or CHCs
for short, sitting around not only is known to halt health improvement, studies have
also recognized disadvantages to this process. According to Hot Topics- Exercise,
Sedentary lifestyle accounted for 334,114 deaths from various CHCs according to
our estimates of the most recent data and literature. CHCs ultimately diminish a
patients overall well being and quality of life. (Chakravarthy, Manu V and Frank W
Booth Hot Topic- Exercise 42)
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers found in women and there
are countless numbers of doctors, charities and research organizations that have
devoted time to the prevention of such a devastating disease. Now there is research
cited by Hot Topic that suggests that exercise may play a key role in this diagnosis.
Twenty-three of 35 studies conducted to date show a decreased risk in breast
cancer in women who are physically active. The greatest risk reductions occur in
those going from a sedentary lifestyle to moderate intensity physical activity.
(Chakravarthy, Manu V and Frank W Booth Hot Topic- Exercise 44) Simply
exercising regularly may reduce the risk for this deadly diagnosis.

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Among the other health benefits, physical exercise plays a huge role in the
prevention of various cardiovascular
diseases. Hot Topics-Exercise points out
A statement for health professionals by the
committee of exercise and cardiac
rehabilitation of the council on clinical
cardiology, American Heart Association,
which declared that physical inactivity is a
risk factor for coronary artery disease
(Hot Topic- Exercise 164) Moreover Low
levels of cardiovascular fitness are
associated with an increased risk of dying.
(Chakravarthy, Manu V and Frank W Booth Hot Topics- exercise 164) and The
relationship between cardiovascular (aerobic) fitness and mortality extends to
many chromic health conditions. (Chakravarthy, Manu V and Frank W Booth Hot
Topic- Exercise 166) It is apparent that there is link between the quality of health in
a patient and the amount of physical activity that is found in their lives.
There are many other health aspects that the new fields will lead to. Playing
sports and partaking in physical exercise has the ability to lower stress levels and
depression, keeps the brain fit, as well as improving many other mental health
aspects.
(US News Stock Photo)
Jumping on the treadmill or cross trainer for 30
minutes can blow off tension by increasing levels of
"soothing" brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. What's
fascinating, though, is that exercise may actually work on a cellular level to reverse
stress's toll on our aging process, according to a 2010 study from the University of
CaliforniaSan Francisco. (US News Health) A considerable amount of students
worry about the copious levels of stress that accompany college life. The turf field
will provide an outlet for students who experience high levels of stress.
Beyond lowering high levels of stress exercise also has the ability to lower
symptoms of depression. Research suggests that burning off 350 calories three
times a week through sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of
depression about as effectively as antidepressants. (US News Health) For many
students it is hard to receive medical help due to a myriad of factors. All alone, it can
be difficult, or seem like a daunting task to try and reach a doctor for professional
help. Exercise on the fields will provide a more readily available option for students
to get involved with.
Students, stop cramming! US News
believes that they have stumbled upon
the problem that plagues nearly every
college student. Everyone is rushing

(US News Stock Photo)

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around, hunting for the perfect formula for memorizing facts and learning material
for class. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors,
which help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells
to help us learn. Interestingly, complicated activities, like playing tennis or taking a
dance class, provide the biggest brain boost. (US News Health. Web) Even mild
activity like a leisurely walk can help keep your brain fit and active, fending off
memory loss and keeping skills like vocabulary retrieval strong. (US News. Web)
Forget cramming for future tests, it looks like this is the technique to use.

High Costs Plague Project

Although there are many benefits to an artificial field, there are a few
downsides that are included as well, one of them being the installation cost of
replacing the current grass fields that are in place. A lot of the cost of the artificial
turf comes upfront. Not only that, but the field will be plagued by immensely high
installation costs as well. The decision to install a turf field very quickly becomes a
financial burden. The university will be required to pay heaps of money up front for
the new addition. The installation time is also a factor that should be included in the
decision to integrate the turf into the existing complex. The installation of the new
turf is a process that renders most of the intramural field area useless for a
considerable amount of time while crews work diligently to level out the grounds
and then carefully install the artificial material. The construction will be disruptive
to student life, another cost that the university may not be able to afford. The overall
total cost estimate may climb to as high as $720,000 with base preparations and
total material costs.(FieldTurf. Web)
Can High Costs Saves Money?
Even though the upfront costs are high, the University saves money in the long run
with less maintenance costs ($50,000 compared to $200,000 with a grass field)
(FieldTurf. Web). That is a $150,000 dollar difference. Over the course of the next
few years after the installation the turf will in fact be saving more money than the
cost for the field in the first place. Due to the low maintenance costs compared to a
regular grass money is saved in the long run, even with the high upfront cost. Crews
will begin work as many of the students leave over summer break and will work
when student traffic is light and when impact will be at a minimum. The field will be
installed by the time students begin to arrive back on campus. The new artificial turf
will be ready for the upcoming fall intramural season.
It is paramount that Purdue University seriously considers installing an
artificial turf field to replace the fields that are currently in use by the student body
intramural sports teams. Purdue aims to not only provide a world-class education,
but to also maintain a healthy environment for the students who call this renowned
University their home. Yet, with the condition of the current fields, they do not
deliver. In the future students should look forward to the opportunity to live an

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active lifestyle while playing intramural sports and immerse themselves in the
social community that tis cultured through the formation of teams. The broken field
in place is a broken promise by the university.
Citations Page

Benefits of Physical Activity. Harvard School of Public Health. Nd. Web. 21 October.
2014
Chakravarthy, Manu V and Frank W Booth. Hot Topics- Exercise. Philidelphia:
Hanley & Belfus, 2003. Print.
FieldTurf Cost Analysis. FieldTurf. N.p. Web. N.d.
Kotz, Deborah and Angela Haupt. 7 Mind Blowing Benefits of Exercise. US
News Health. US News, 7 March. 2012. Web. 21 October. 2014.