Taylor lobbies for summer camp, new turf at Bragg

Joe Taylor would like to have a summertime football camp like most coaches do. He’d also like to be less concerned when an occasional high school football game is played inside Bragg Stadium, or even when the Marching 100 band puts on one of its leg-stomping shows. An account has been set up specifically for the turf fund, and he’s expecting FAMU supporters to pledge enough to get the project completed in time for the Rattlers’ first home game Oct. 2, Taylor said. The installation will take 35 days.

The turf project will cost an estimated $700,000. Taylor has appealed to FAMU’s 60 alumni chapters to each contribute at least $5,000 annually to fast track financing the payment for the new top on the field. Taylor said he’s taking the same approach that worked successfully when he raised money to upgrade the team’s weight room and provide funding for players to attend summer school.

“Having artificial turf will bring FAMU’s field in line with the majority of teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference,” he said. Presently, Delaware State, Morgan State, Howard University and two-time defending league champion South Carolina State have artificial turf in their home facilities.

“Everybody is going toward artificial turf,” Taylor said. “We’ve got to move because everybody else is moving. We’ve got to do that. Taylor vehemently made his plea for support from FAMU alumni, saying “I didn’t come here for a Band-Aid program. We came here for the ultimate.”

Taylor made a point of saying that upgrades to Bragg Stadium is at least 10 years behind. Bragg was last renovated in 1983. One of the biggest advantages of having a new turf is that it will boost recruiting by giving young players their first look at the program in summer camps, Taylor said.

“I’m tired of folks having camps and we can’t,” he said. “Kids leave Tallahassee, coming down to Gainesville to go to UF or Miami but they can’t come on ‘The Hill.’ When young people come on the campus they should have a good experience. You don’t want them to go back and say, ‘man, did you see that field.”