In the spring of 2005, while the ground was still frozen, Marshall High School began a project that many people believed was long overdue, the renovation of Bush Field. 

The wet fall of 2004 and game schedules pretty much created a swamp-like atmosphere for football.  By the end of the playoffs, it was decided that the field needed a complete facelift.  It was decided that when Bush Field either dried out or became frozen, hundreds of truck loads of dirt would need to be hauled in and the dirt graded, compacted, disced, re-graded, and seeded. 

The fall and winter of 2004 came and went without an opportunity to begin the project.  Finally in the Spring of 2005, a window opened, and 400 truck loads of dirt were hauled onto school property by local contractors and businesses in a matter of a few days.  The trucks entered Bush Field from the south west corner of the field, crossed the all-purpose track, and made their way onto the playing surface.  Directing the project was Ron Howe, long time Marshall Schools employee.  Local businesses, contractors, and individuals responded quickly to the help with the project.

In order for the trucks to cross over the track without damaging it, plastic was placed over the track, then layers of plywood and other wood beams were put into place over the plastic.  Next, dirt was placed over the wood surfaces, creating a bridge for the trucks to safely pass over the track to get to and from the football field.  All of the dirt, trucking, heavy equipment, and fuel for the project was donated by members of the Marshall community.  The only cost to the Marshall Schools was the grass seed, straw, and water after the field was seeded and strawed. 

The Marshall Quarterback Club was also involved in the project, approving the purchase of a new watering system for Bush Field, a project costing nearly $1000.  Coach Johnson and Ron Howe consulted with many individuals before deciding that the new playing surface that was best suited our field was a mixture of northern and southern bermuda grasses.

 

The seed was sewed and the field was strawed on May 17th.  The field was watered on a regular basis after that, and after some serious TLC and attention, and maybe even some calls for help from above, the field was ready for play on Sunday, September 4th, when the Marshall Youth Football 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade teams played against Palestine-Hutsonville.   The first varsity game on the new turf was played on Friday, September 9th, when the Marshall Lions defeated Martinsville 40-0.

 

Thanks to everyone who made the Bush Field 2005 Renovation project possible...it is certainly a football field the entire community can be proud of!