Harvard’s legacy, renewed with IronTurf™

The historic Harvard Stadium, a landmark in American college sports, home of the Harvard Crimson football team, has received a new playing surface: IronTurf™ by TenCate. Installed by TenCate New England, this upgrade marks a new chapter in a trusted partnership that has spanned nearly two decades.

“This project was more than a field replacement; it was about preserving Harvard’s legacy while delivering next-generation performance,” says John Huard Jr., whose New England team led the installation with precision and pride.

The new field features IronTurf™ with sand and rubber infill, laid over the existing pad. The project also carried special meaning: the field was dedicated to longtime head football coach Tim Murphy, whose signature is now embedded in the turf, a fitting tribute to his enduring impact on Harvard athletics.

Responsibility in action

The old turf wasn’t discarded. Instead, it was sent to TenCate Turf Recycling Solutions, where materials are recovered and repurposed, a circular approach that ensures nothing goes to waste and value is retained at end-of-life.

Smart solutions for year-round performance

Each winter, Harvard Stadium transforms under an air-supported dome, used for training and events. In previous years, snow plowing caused damage to the crushed stone base beneath the field. This time, GeoSurfaces introduced an innovative solution: a removable turf system using ProSport Ultra, precisely matched in color and pile height to IronTurf™. The section can be safely detached during the winter months and reinstalled in spring, minimizing disruption and protecting the field’s integrity.

A legacy of partnership and innovation

This latest project continues a long-standing relationship between Harvard University and the GeoSurfaces team, dating back to 2006, when the first field was installed by Northeast Turf. Over the years, that collaboration expanded to multiple Harvard facilities:

• 2024 – Cumnock Fields (two field replacements)
• 2021 – Jordan Field (soccer and lacrosse)
• 2006 – First Harvard project by Northeast Turf

The IronTurf™ system itself is the result of years of refinement, including field trials with the New England Patriots and Boston University, optimizing infill performance and installation consistency to deliver reliable, professional-grade playability in all conditions.

Special thanks to Avery Gallaher and his team for ensuring manufacturing excellence, and to everyone who helped make Harvard’s iconic field shine again.