Albany State goes BLUE – to unveil new turf field for Hall of Fame Game Saturday

ALBANY – Albany State University is set to showcase significant upgrades to its football stadium on Saturday, September 7, during Hall of Fame Weekend. The improvements to the ASU Coliseum, funded through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s HBCU Invitational Field Refurbishment Program, include converting the natural grass field to turf and adding soccer hash marks.

Albany State was awarded a grant from the foundation as part of its commitment to enhancing fields at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Georgia and Alabama. A standout feature of the new field is Shaw Sports Turf’s GeoFill, an organic infill system made from coconut husk that cools the turf surface by 30-40 degrees.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter for Albany State Athletics,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Kristene Kelly. “The upgrades to the ASU Coliseum are a testament to our commitment to excellence, and we’re grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for this transformational gift. We can’t wait to see the RAMily faithful show up in full force to support the Golden Rams.”

Head Coach Quinn Gray Sr. echoed the sentiment, noting the broader impact on the community.

“It allows us to do some great things not only for Albany State but also for the Albany community. We get the chance to play on one of the best surfaces, so I’m excited about that,” Gray said.

The upgrades will be unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the Golden Rams’ game against Shaw University at 6 p.m. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt. Additionally, the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be recognized during halftime.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Game are available at ASU Golden Rams Tickets.