February 18, 2016-With beautiful weather this week, construction is underway at Welch Stadium as a new RamTurf artificial playing surface is being installed by ATG Sports of Andover, Kan. With continued cooperation from the weather, the new turf could be in place in time for the start of spring football practice at Emporia State on March 10 and will definitely be ready for the 2016 Kansas Shrine Bowl scheduled for this summer in Emporia. Replacement of the Zola Witten Track will begin after the Hornet track and field season comes to a close in mid-May.

"Beginning the construction phase of the new turf has put a little bit more spring in the step of our student-athletes," said Emporia State Athletic Director Kent Weiser. "The enhancement to the playing surface on Jones Field along with the recent addition of the Shogren Videoboard shows a commitment to first class facilities at Emporia State."
 
Emporia State went 6-0 on Jones Field at Welch Stadium last season on the way to an 11-3 overall mark. The 2015 season was the 11th played on the original artificial surface of Jones Field at Welch Stadium. In addition to Hornet football games and practice, the field is used by Emporia HS on a regular basis while other area high schools, including Northern Heights, Chase County and Osage City have played regular season games on the field.  Welch Stadium has been the site of a Kansas State High School Activities Association State Championship game every year since 1994.  This summer will also mark the fifth time the Kansas Shrine Bowl has been played at Welch Stadium.

The turf and track project is a collaborative effort between Emporia State University, the W.S. & E.C Jones Trust, the City of Emporia and the Emporia USD 253.

The Hornet football team was 11-3 lst season and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.  Emporia State is set to return 14 starters, seven on offense and seven on defense, along with all of their specialists next year.