Neyland Stadium - Shields-Watkins Field

Shields-Watkins Field

From 1921 to the end of the 1967 season the field surface was natural grass. In 1964, the orange-and-white checkerboard end zones were added. This was one of the many changes initiated by new head coach Doug Dickey, who also added the "T" logo to the football helmet and initiated the tradition of the team running onto the field through the "Power T" formed by the Pride of the Southland Band, and moved the Tennessee bench from the east side line to the west side line.

In 1968, coinciding with the addition of the East Upper Deck, Tennessee-Turf (AstroTurf) was installed as the playing surface, in part to provide better drainage following heavy rains. The checkerboard end zones were initially not included as part of the Tennessee-Turf playing surface. End zone designs used through the years on the artificial surface included having TENNESSEE and VOLUNTEERS in orange turf lettering and the end zone green turf. The end zones, as well as the mid-field logo, were unique in that they were separate pieces of contrasting turf rather than painted turf. The artificial surface, as many from this era, was blamed for excessive leg injuries. In 1989, the orange-and-white checkerboard endzone patterns were restored, and an interlocking "UT" was placed at midfield.

The artificial surface was used through the 1993 season, the last game on the surface being a 62-14 win over Vanderbilt. Afterwards the surface was ripped up and sections were auctioned off to raise funds for the university. The turf was replaced with natural grass the following year, with the checkerboard end zones and midfield logo retained. In 1997, the interlocking 'UT' was replaced with the same Power T logo as seen on the football helmets. In 2007, the entire surface was resodded with Tifway bermudagrass, which rests on a 12-inch bed of sand to enhance drainage.