As the countdown to the college football season ticks from months to days, Millsaps College players look forward to hitting the field on a brand-new, state-of-the-art turf system designed with safety, performance and comfort in mind.
The recently upgraded playing surface at Harper Davis Field marks a major enhancement for the Majors’ football and men’s and women’s soccer programs ahead of their 2025 seasons.
The new turf system includes two major improvements over the previous field: a cutting-edge shock pad beneath the turf to soften the impact of hitting the ground and an advanced infill material designed to stay significantly cooler under the Mississippi sun.
The shock pad, a cushioning layer installed beneath the turf, dramatically reduces the field’s GMAX rating, a key measure of impact severity. In simpler terms, it makes the field noticeably softer and more forgiving, offering an added layer of protection for athletes during practice and gameplay.
In addition, the turf now features EcoTherm™ infill, a synthetic material that helps reduce surface temperatures by up to 30 degrees compared to traditional black rubber infill. That cooler surface translates to safer, more comfortable conditions for players, particularly during the late-summer and early-fall heat of Mississippi.
“This new turf system reflects our ongoing commitment to providing Millsaps student-athletes with the best possible resources,” said Director of Athletics Justin LeBlanc. “Safety, performance and player experience were all at the top of our list when we selected these upgrades, and we’re excited for our teams to compete on one of the best surfaces in the region.”
“You can feel the difference as soon as you step on the field. It’s not as hot and I feel a lot less pressure on my knees,” said Majors senior defensive end, Braylon Wills, “I definitely feel a lot better when moving on the turf, and I can’t wait to see the difference it makes on game day.”
The new field will serve as the home turf for the Millsaps football team as well as men’s and women’s soccer, providing a safe, high-performance environment for athletes across multiple seasons and sports.
As the fall 2025 season kicks off, the upgraded turf stands as a symbol of Millsaps’ continued investment in athletics and student success, on and off the field.