Rynearson Stadium finished second in a USA Today fan poll to determine the “Best Field in the Nation”, according to a release issued by the Eastern Michigan University athletic department, Sunday.
Neyland Stadium – home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers – took home top honors.
"To have the field at The Factory recognized one of the best fields in the United States in a major honor, for our University," EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said in the release. "We greatly appreciate all the fans who voted, as well as the tremendous leadership of President Martin and the Board of Regents for making the "EMU Gray' a reality. We cannot wait for our next home game as we continue to showcase the field and the hard work displayed by our student-athletes."
Boise State University’s Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium – known for its blue turf – finished in third, while East Carolina University’s Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Fickley Stadium and Air Force's Falcon Stadium closed out the top five.
"I just want to thank everyone who voted, and we think they got it almost right," first-year football coach Chris Creighton said. "It is a beautiful field and I thank Heather Lyke, President Martin and the Board of Regents for stepping out and going for the idea. It's not just the aesthetics, it's the meaning behind it and hopefully fans got that as well. We are proud of it and are going to keep protecting it."
Other schools nominated include: Clemson University, Louisana State University, the University of Missouri, Notre Dame University and the Universities of California-Los Angeles and Wyoming.
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