Mick Jagger

Photo by Dan Addison

October 11, 2005 -- Despite heavy rains that followed Thursday night's Rolling Stones concert in Scott Stadium, Harrison Field today emerged from under many layers of plywood and an elaborate stage setting in fine shape.

"The cooperative preparation and planning that went into laying the groundwork for the staging of the concert paid off," said Leonard W. Sandridge, the University's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "That — along with the incredible care on the part of the staff of SMG (the John Paul Jones Arena management company), the crew of the Rolling Stones, and the staff of the University's athletic department — has made this a very successful operation."

By noon Saturday, when the majority of staging and accompanying equipment had been removed, it was clear that there would be no need to re-sod any portion of Harrison Field. In fact, after turf management personnel assessed the field, they found no unexpected impacts to it, Sandridge said. The review of the field included its surface, as well as its underground drainage system.

The anticipated occasional yellow spots -- where the field had been covered for several days -- will be addressed during the coming week in hopes of refreshing the field in time for Saturday's home football game against Florida State. Grounds crews could not promise that every spot would be bright green by kickoff time, but they assured University officials that the only impact would be aesthetic.

All remnants of the concert field set-up were removed by 6 p.m. Saturday.