Burnet’s Bulldog Field gets new turf, track

CAPTION: The new green exchange zone on the track and the new linemen’s lines on the new artificial turf are part of the improvements at Bulldog Field. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

At the beginning of 2025, Bulldog Field was sealed off for improvements.

Top of the list was to install new artificial turf to absorb the “shock” or kinetic energy resulting from a player falling on its surface.

After months of labor, workers finished installing new artificial turf at Bulldog Field in time for the program to host its annual 7-on-7 May League and the Burnet State Qualifying Tournament May 31.

In addition, the track also is new.

“We needed the turf and needed the track,” football head coach Ben Speer said one evening in May after 7-on-7 play had wrapped up. “We had to get it done and get done right.” 

But this time, the new stadium turf included more than lines for the football and soccer fields, the Burnet Consolidated Independent School logo at midfield, and white lines on each sideline from one 25-yard line to the other that’s designated areas for players and coaches.

On the field house side of the field behind the end zone and goal post is a 10-yard rectangular box specifically created for the linemen. Coaches wanted to give that group a place that was solely theirs.

The facility’s track has a Kelly green exchange zones for the relays. The other parts of the track are a lighter gray.

“We liked the gray a lot,” Speer said. “(The new color) is a little bit darker than Marble Falls’ (at Mustang Stadium).”

These improvements were included in the 2021 bond.

The old turf was gone by the middle of January 2025 and workers began installing the new turf in early February.

So by the time 7-on-7 season began in early May, the turf was ready for use.

And though football will use the stadium in the fall and soccer gets it in the winter, Speer pointed out other events are conducted at the facility, too. Top of the list is graduation ceremonies when Mother Nature cooperates.

Football is more than a sport; it’s an event complete with cheerleaders and the Esprit de Corps, the combined marching band and the Highlandettes drill team.

In other words, fans usually have a big reason to attend football games, and it may not always be to watch the matchups on the field. Some come to support the band, the cheerleaders and the drill team. And they cheer as loudly for those performers as they do when the Bulldogs football team makes a great play.

Speer noted those performers continue to uphold the strong tradition created by musicians, drill team members and cheerleaders of the past. And he, his staff and players work daily toward upholding those same traditions on the gridiron.

“Yeah, now we just gotta work on putting the product down here and do something we’re pretty proud of,” he said.

The coach pointed out beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities aren’t something that simply happens. It takes the efforts of many individuals, including some who are no longer with the school district. Still, administrative leaders continue doing that work and are being good stewards of the blessings bestowed upon them, Speer added.

“We’re just so grateful,” he said. “The people in Central Office did a great job with being diligent and with our funds, and we were able to update some things. And we get it without having to pass another bond. We’re blessed that we’ve been supported in those areas.”