Namesake:
Ken and Peggy Briner, who provided the lead gift for the complex. They are longtime supporters of Ball State athletics who are members of the Cardinal Varsity Club's Hall of Fame level of giving.
Year completed: 1998, renovated in 2013
In the fall of 2013, the Ball State Turf Field at the Briner Sports Complex was upgraded with a FieldTurf Hockey Speed surface.
The decision to install FieldTurf was made after an extensive evaluation of different water-based turf systems. The Hockey Speed product was designed to provide for a fast ball speed and ideal wet performance, characteristics that are important for elite-level field hockey players.
FieldTurf has a long history of installing field hockey turf systems at the highest levels, with previous generations of FieldTurf's water-based hockey systems having been installed at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, along with many top division clubs around the globe. FieldTurf's field hockey specific installation and product expertise has led to a rapid adoption of these water-based turf systems.
The Hockey Speed system has been developed to provide the best playing characteristics of nylon “wet performance” systems, along with providing the best overall value.
Also with the new hockey field on campus, comes a new watering system that will allow Ball State to keep their field moist for proper hockey performance.
The Mid-American Conference implemented a rule two years ago that for a team to host the conference tournament its field had to have a watering system. The same rule holds true for a team to play host to an NCAA Tournament game. Now, thanks to the new FieldTurf Hockey Speed field and the watering system, the Cardinals will be equipped to host tournament games.
