On Nov. 29, 2022, Ithaca College announced its plans to upgrade its natural grass football field to artificial turf. Just under a year later, the Ithaca College football team is preparing to compete on Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium for the first time. 

While Ithaca College has positioned planned renovations to Butterfield Stadium as an opportunity for the field to be used by more teams, the artificial surface may increase the risk for injuries.

According to oceanographers, ecologists and environmental policy experts, the life cycle of an artificial turf field has detrimental effects on human health and the environment.