As one of the largest and most iconic venues in college football, Beaver Stadium demands a natural-grass surface capable of delivering consistent, elite performance under extremely heavy use. In 2024, Penn State University initiated a major field overhaul to refresh the playing surface, improve durability, and ensure that the turf could withstand the intensity of Big Ten competition, high-traffic game days, and national broadcast standards. The project required precision, efficiency, and a deep understanding of natural-turf field engineering.
Hummer was selected to execute the complete renovation of the stadium’s natural-grass surface. The team began by milling off 1½ inches of existing turf, creating a clean foundation for reconstruction. Using tractors, box blades, and laser-guided techniques, Hummer re-leveled the field base and corrected low areas with a carefully blended 80/20 USGA sand mix to optimize drainage, firmness, and long-term stability. Once the foundation was perfected, the crew installed over 83,000 square feet of thick-cut Game Day sod using smooth rubber-track sod installers and Sidekick equipment, ensuring tight seams and immediate surface integrity.
To finish the renovation, Hummer applied Penn State–specified seed twice using a Vredo disc seeder — an essential step for turf consistency, root development, and surface resilience throughout the season. Delivered on a tight timeline and aligned with the stadium’s broader 2024 improvements, the project provided Penn State with a fast, durable, and visually flawless field engineered for heavy NCAA use. Hummer’s technical expertise and precision workmanship positioned Beaver Stadium to host another season of high-level football on a surface built to perform.
