Indiana repairing flood-damaged football field

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Crews started pulling up the turf Thursday at Indiana's Memorial Stadium, the first step in replacing the flood-damaged field.

Heavy rains that caused flooding across much of central and southern Indiana on June 7 washed out the gravel foundation underneath the football field, leaving a sinkhole in the south end zone and lumps throughout the south side of the field.

Athletic department spokesman J.D. Campbell confirmed Thursday that school officials had decided to replace the field and that details would be released in the coming days.

Athletic director Rick Greenspan has said it could cost as much as $1 million to replace the field. At least part of the cost is expected to be covered by insurance.

Greenspan said it normally takes three to four weeks to install new turf, although Campbell did not say when the project was expected to be completed.

The Hoosiers need to have the field in playing shape before their Aug. 30 season opener against Western Kentucky. Memorial stadium is also scheduled to be used for a national drum and bugle corps competition in mid-August.