Muhlenberg set to make home debut on new turf
2024 Berks football coverage
presented by UECU
A new era begins in Muhlenberg football Friday – and not just because the Muhls have a new coach.
The opener against Schuylkill Valley marks the debut of Muhlenberg’s new artificial turf field, which was completed recently.
The Muhls had been one of the few remaining Berks teams to play on natural grass. Now that distinction belongs to Kutztown and Wyomissing.
Muhlenberg has played all of its home games at its current home location since late in the 1982 season, when it played Daniel Boone and Wyomissing. Starting in 1983 the Muhls played all of their home games on campus.
They called Reading Memorial Municipal Stadium, then home of the Reading Phillies, their football home for more than 30 years, in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. Their final full season at Municipal (now FirstEnergy) Stadium was 1981.
The Muhls occasionally played Saturday afternoon home games on campus for Homecoming. Lights weren’t installed at the stadium until the early 1980’s.
Muhlenberg Stadium was renovated in 2003 when an all-weather track surface was installed.
Stadium turf was approved by the Muhlenberg School Board in February. The project was estimated to cost $1.4 million.
Artificial surfaces have become popular over the past 15 years because they can be utilized more often, and by more teams, including at the community level. Many believe they are more economical in the long run than maintaining a grass surface. A turf field generally has a life of about 10 years.
Also, football games are likely to be played as scheduled in wet conditions; with grass surfaces games are often postponed so as not to damage the grass.
Later this year construction will begin at Muhlenberg on a multipurpose turf stadium directly behind the high school, where the football team practiced this spring and summer. The new facility will be utilized as a practice field for football, field hockey, soccer, baseball, and softball, and for junior high sports.
That project is expected to be completed by the spring, according to Muhlenberg athletic director Tim Moyer.
The Muhls also have a new head coach, former star quarterback Rob Flowers, who inherits a 1-9 team. Flowers was previously head coach at Reading High and Daniel Boone. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Muhlenberg under John Yocum.
