SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After spending just over a decade on its original turf, Kirkeby-Over Stadium will have a new turf field for the 2021 season. The project is led by Mammoth Sports Construction and is set to begin next week with the removal of the current surface before the installation of the new surface for Jim Heinitz Field.

"I can't wait for our student-athletes to train, practice and compete on this new surface," Augustana Director of Athletics Josh Morton said. "We committed to finding the best turf solution with health, safety and performance in mind and this product from FieldTurf fits all three."

Mammoth Sports Construction, based in Meriden, Kansas, has installed fields such as Bill Snyder Stadium at Kansas State to Carnie Smith Stadium at Pittsburg State.

"Mammoth Sports Construction is proud to partner with Augustana on this project," Brian Morris, Chief Revenue Office at Mammoth Sports Construction said. "The vision that Josh Morton and Coach Olszewski have for AU is evidenced by their commitment to ensure their student-athletes are playing on the best synthetic turf system available.

"The Vertex CORE product delivers performance, heavyweight infill for player safety and increased durability. With the same FieldTurf system recently being installed at the University of Oregon and inside of the University of Alabama's indoor practice facility, Augustana is going to continue to raise the bar with facilities and we are excited to see the Vikings take the field this fall."

FieldTurf Vertex CORE was created to deliver the perfect combination of performance and beauty. Vertex CORE delivers leading agility, safety, durability and aesthetics. The system is equipped with the renowned Classic HD slit-film fiver and teamed up with CORE monofilament super fiber.

The new turf is being funded completely through private donations as a part of the "Turf Wars" giving campaign that ran from December to the early spring. Turf Wars showed the great example of community around Augustana and Viking Football with donations that spanned the country and decades of Viking football alumni and friends.  The effort was led by honorary captains C.J. Ham and Chad Greenway alongside local captains Jim Heinitz and Joe Evenson.