In preparation for the 2016 football season, West Virginia University launched a major renovation initiative at Milan Puskar Stadium—focused in part on upgrading the playing surface to meet evolving performance and safety standards. A central component of this overhaul was the removal of the “Old Crown” at the center of the field and the complete modernization of the field system.
McKinley Sports (formerly JTSA Sports) was selected by WVU to lead the renovation of the stadium field. The objective was not only to comply with NCAA requirements but also to align with emerging NFL field performance standards. This included designing a surface capable of absorbing impact from a 6-foot cylinder drop—one of the key metrics in player safety testing.
The scope of the 2016 renovation included full removal of the existing field base, elimination of the crown, soil stabilization, installation of a dynamic subsurface drainage system, and the addition of a Brock International shock pad. The field was then completed with a high-performance FieldTurf Revolution synthetic turf system, creating a safer, more durable surface for WVU athletes.
In 2025, McKinley Sports returned to Milan Puskar Stadium to complete a full turf system redesign. This update replaced the existing synthetic surface with a new generation of turf technology, ensuring continued compliance with the latest safety and performance standards, and reinforcing WVU’s commitment to providing a top-tier athletic environment.
