SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Construction has begun on turf installation projects at two of Shippensburg University's athletic venues: Robb Field (softball) and Fairchild Field (baseball).
 
Both venues are having their grass fields removed and replaced with new Astroturf surfaces. Extensive drainage work, trenching and other repairs will also be completed at each facility.
 
"I'm very excited about the start of these projects," said Jeff Michaels, director of athletics. "We are always aiming to provide the best facilities possible for our student-athletes, and the move to turf can only help our programs, especially with the timing of when their seasons are played."
 
Michaels commended the student-athletes, coaches and staff for their patience this fall in working around the construction.
 
"I am grateful for the resiliency of our student-athletes and coaches working through a fall season that has been bumpy at times because of the adjustments to the schedule but feel that the challenges encountered will be worth it when the projects are completed," Michaels said.
 
The goal is for construction to be completed at each facility by January.
 
The current site of the Raider baseball field has been in place since 1971, with the team annually playing its home games at the site with the exception of 1974 at Eckels Field. On April 29, 1995, the field was named the G. Arthur Fairchild Field in honor of head coach Art Fairchild, who retired at the end of the season. 
 
The current site of the Raider softball field has been in place since the team's inception in 1978. It is a part of the Robb Sports Complex – namesake Claudia Robb was an integral figure in the formative years of women's athletics at the university during the 1920s. The site hosted the PIAA Softball Championships for more than 20 years.