September 13, 2018
A longtime dream has become a reality! Artificial turf has been installed at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Jerome Berg Field. The first 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State game played on the new turf was the Farmers Bowl game on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Comets defeated College of St. Scholastica 33-29 in the game which was sponsored by First State Bank. Construction on the turf project began in June, under the management supervision of Zerr-Berg Architects, Fargo. A ground breaking ceremony was held June 5. A ribbon cutting program was held at the entrance to Jerome Berg Field prior to the game on Sept. 8.
Program emcee John Klocke, executive director of the MSU Foundation, began the program by telling the crowd in attendance that the turf project was kicked off in 2012 when a group of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State supporters met in January of 2012 to discuss how a field of artificial turf at Jerome Berg Field could become a reality. Three hundred fifteen generous donors helped to make it happen by raising $675,000 to complete the turf project.
Former 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State president and first lady, Dr. Gary and Debbie Hagen held the ribbon as a group of folks made their cuts. Ribbon cutters were Kari Berg, Deb and Jerry Soholt, and Nancy and Bob Zimney, Jerome Berg’s daughters and sons-in-law; turf project benefactors Corey and Tracy McGillis; Tom Capouch, representing First State Bank and May-Port EDC, turf project benefactors; Dr. Brian Van Horn, MSU president; Ryan Hall, MSU athletic director; Sean Thom, head MSU football coach; Spencer Ewen, Comets football player from Dilworth, Minn.; Peter Lindgren, Comets football player from Enderlin, N.D.; Jami Hovet, MSU Vice President for Business Affairs; and Brian Berg, representing Zerr-Berg Architects.
See media coverage of the day at the following links: