Mike Carmin

mcarmin@jconline.com

Ross-Ade Stadium's south end zone bleachers are gone, replaced by a new tailgate space.

The turf is green again, but that won't stop the debate between natural grass and FieldTurf.

No surprise that season ticket sales are down, but will more wins bring the fans back to watch Purdue football?

How will athletic director Morgan Burke judge progress this season after last year's 1-11 record?

More on those topics from Burke:

South end zone

Instead of going through another round of maintenance and inspections on the bleachers, which were moved from Lambert Fieldhouse in 1970, Purdue went in another direction. They were torn down and a new interim space was created until a permanent plan is in place.

The new area features a large PGA Tour-style tent with televisions, and seating and tables will be available. Food and beverages, including alcohol, are available for purchase. Season-ticket holders gain access with a card that came with their tickets.

"It's a real live tailgate," Burke said.

The cost of the temporary project is around $500,000, Burke said. The money comes from a $2 million gift provided by the late Carl Bimel, for whom the practice complex is named.

Burke didn't want to put a timetable on the long-range plan for the south end zone spac — he's still waiting to compile data from market surveys and fan feedback. Five architecture firms will submit designs, and by the start of 2015, Burke and his staff will have a better idea of the conceptual ideas before moving into more detailed plans.

"We're in the third inning of a nine-inning game," Burke said. "In the interim, we can introduce something for our fan base that should be fun."

Technology piece

One element driving the future south end zone area is updating technology in the stadium to enhance the fan experience.

Purdue has partnered with Crown Castle to bring improved cellular service to Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena. However, better coverage is probably a year away.

"We had to slow down," Burke said. "With the problems we had on the field, we couldn't afford to have people trampling down there. We will still have limitations somewhat in cellular coverage. We'll have that resolved next year."

Burke said improved cellular coverage in Mackey Arena is expected before the start of the men's and women's basketball seasons.

Wi-Fi is on the agenda, but Burke said: "There are a lot of models out there, but I'm not sure anybody's got it figured out yet on a retro-fit (stadium). On a new stadium, it's different. In some respects, having a little bit of time will allow us to see what's worked for others."

Grass vs. FieldTurf

In 2006, the athletic department and the College of Agriculture conducted a joint study on what type of grass should be used at Ross-Ade Stadium.

A deep-rooting and cold-tolerant strain of Bermuda grass was installed. However, the prolonged sub-zero temperatures last winter zapped the grass of its color and life. The playing surface is green again heading into Saturday's opener.

But FieldTurf looks good year-round, regardless of the climate.

"The problem is when you move into the offseason and you're recruiting year-round, your home doesn't look very good. This is the home," Burke said. "We need to look at it. I think there's a difference of opinion when you talk to players and the surface they desire. None of them dislike grass. There are pluses and minuses to most."

Notre Dame is the latest to move away from natural grass, installing FieldTurf. In fact, all five of Purdue's games away from Ross-Ade Stadium this season will be played on synthetic turf.

"I would like to know more about whether there have been any studies about playability. Are there any long-term effects either way?" he said. "Just do a complete update and see where it takes us. We have a great playing surface, but it's not very pretty when you come to the spring game. This year, after the hard winter, it didn't look very good at all."

Ticket sales decline

Prior to Darrell Hazell's first season, Purdue sold nearly 30,000 season tickets, including student sales. The number will likely approach around 25,000 this season, Burke said. A crowd of 30,000 to 35,000 is expected Saturday.

The Big Ten's dean of athletic directors said the student number is increasing, but added some of the prime selling outlets were removed in the summer.

"I don't know that it will get to the 6,000 it was at last year, and it's been as high as 10,000," Burke said of student season-ticket sales. "We're not alone in this — Iowa, Michigan and others are experiencing the same thing. It goes back to the south end zone and why you're trying to do something different.

"The 25-to-35 age group, which our students will be joining, just has different viewing patterns. We've always said TV will hit a tipping point with fan attendance, and I would have to argue right now that has probably occurred."

Purdue announced Wednesday all university students — undergraduate and graduate — can receive a free ticket to Saturday's noon kickoff. Students who have purchased a VIP card or a season ticket are being offered a free ticket to any two home games.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Purdue had distributed 3,323 tickets to students.

Burke, Hazell and president Mitch Daniels are picking up the tab for the free tickets.

Defining progress

It's the question of the day. Is it all about wins? Or something else?

"If you ask me what I'm looking for, I'm looking for less variability in the play. The talent level will determine if you win, but we've had huge highs and lows," Burke said. "We had big victories in Danny (Hope's) years, but we had big losses. I want to see if last season was a one-year transitional blip or is it part of a longer-term trend of talent. I don't think it is.

"To me, it's the variability of the play, and do you get better as the season goes on. Most of the great teams we had at Purdue, the way they play at the beginning of the year and the way they play at the end, there's a clear progression. The fans that are in the stands today are clearly the ones that have been with us the longest time. They're probably our most loyal fans. They'll be able to judge as well as you and I whether or not we're making progress."

SATURDAY'S GAME

Western Michigan at Purdue

Time: Noon

TV: ESPNU

Radio: WAZY (96.5)

Tickets: Available at purduesports.com or through Purdue's athletic ticket office.