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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Chris Elliott                        Zach Lee                  Christian Palmer
                Geronimo Rodriguez       Blake Whitaker       Kristen Young

Fake turf aside, 36ers will be good for University

Soccer: For millions worldwide, it's a way of life. But for most Americans, it's little more than a reason to buy a minivan.

Experts have predicted that the United States, the land of the seventh-inning stretch and the goal-line stand, will eventually succumb to the allure of the world's favorite cause of mob violence. But if Houston's new professional soccer franchise, which made a three-year deal to play home games at Robertson Stadium, is a reliable measure, that transformation is moving at a glacial pace -- it doesn't say much when a professional sports team unveils its new name at a middle school auditorium.

Of course, it'd be exciting to see support grow for the 1836 (named for the year Houston was founded). Soccer games featuring Latin American teams routinely sell out here, and it's possible some of that excitement could rub off on a Major League Soccer team.

Best of all, any success the 36ers experience will be good for the University. Athletics Director Dave Maggard reported UH will receive money from the team to improve athletic facilities, in addition to the less tangible benefits of media exposure. Some may miss the scenic standing water and refreshing sewage leaks of old Robertson Stadium. But sometimes change is good.

Unless, of course, that change includes dealing with durability issues by switching to artificial turf. Field Turf, the brand being used in Robertson, is made of rubber chips and touted as being safer and more natural feeling than traditional fake grass. But researchers found that, though the new material helps prevent abrasion injuries, the tendency of the rubber to become compacted leads to an increased risk of head injuries for football players. 

One downside, however, is not enough to outweigh the benefits of having a professional franchise play on campus. The team's presence will reinforce UH's place as a central part of the Houston community, and bring the University some extra cash in the process. 
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