07/18/2008 11:57 AM - Marlon Brando would be so proud. Sprinturf, a manufacturer of synthetic playing surfaces, made the University of Montana an offer they couldn't turn. As a result, the school moved up their schedule to replace the turf at Washington-Grizzly Stadium by two years.

The school originally planned to redo their field in 2010. But when Sprinturf offered UM Athletic Director Jim O'Day a great offer, he jumped at it. As a result, the school will start tearing out the old turf on July 21. The new one will be installed in plenty of time for the Grizzlies' home opener, Sept. 13 against Southern Utah.

"After seven football seasons and an unbelievable amount of use, this will be a welcome addition to our student-athletes and the fans," O'Day said. "Knowing that we had one more year of warranty left on the current contract, and with the stadium floor starting to show its age, we decided this was a good decision."

The new surface is expected to last eight to 10 years.

"Just like any carpet, these products need to be replaced periodically," O'Day said. "Although testing showed that the surface was still safe, we could not guarantee we would get beyond this season. We have to look out for the best interests of our student-athletes, and this will allow us to do so."

In addition to scrimmages and practices, the old turf was used for 59 UM home football games, as well as contests featuring the Missoula Phoenix semi-professional football team, periodic local high school games, lacrosse games, the Little Grizzly Jamboree and a Rolling Stones concert.