Boston College Athletics
Football Kicks Off Practice On Brand New Turf
August 09, 2004 | Football
Aug. 9, 2004
The Boston College football team headed to Alumni Stadium's new FieldTurf playing surface Monday afternoon for the first official practice of the 2004 preseason. The new turf features the word "Eagles" in bold gold lettering in each end zone and a large interlocking BC logo at the 50-yard-line. Alumni Stadium is now the 19th collegiate stadium sporting a FieldTurf surface. FieldTurf has already established itself as the turf of choice in the national Football League, as 20 of the NFL's 32 teams currently use the surface at their stadiums and/or their practice facilities. Shortly before practice, coach Tom O'Brien announced that defensive tackle Tim Bulman (Milton, MA), defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (Indianapolis, IN), and tight end David Kashetta (Westport, CT) were elected 2004 captains by a team vote. Kiwanuka was an All-Big East first-team selection last year and has been named to several preseason All-America teams. Bulman is an all-star candidate who has been a solid member of the defensive unit in all three previous seasons. Kashetta saw significant action in all 13 of BC's games last year and takes over the starting tight end spot vacated by the graduated Sean Ryan. The Eagles' practice schedule includes single sessions all this week, culminating with the annual Media Day and Flynn Fund Barbecue on Friday. Double sessions begin Saturday with two preseason scrimmages planned before normal game-week preparations begin in late August. The team opens at Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 2. The Sept. 11 home opener vs. Penn State will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be televised by ABC.
