According to the Oneonta (N.Y). Daily Star, Hartwick is revamping All-Weather Field through a renovation project that includes Field Turf, improved spectator seating and press box improvements.

That’s good news for the Hawks who play football, lacrosse and field hockey at the facility. But the timing on this story is more than a little awkward for the college.

Just yesterday Hartwick announced it is cutting seven sports, citing finances and the “lack of on-campus facilities” among the factors. That looks a little odd next to the prepared statement by President Richard P. Miller, Jr. related to All-Weather Field (pictured above, pre-renovation) — “Recent improvements to our outdoor athletic facilities exemplify our commitment to athletics at Hartwick.”

Both stories also cite fund raising efforts. Apparently Hartwick’s Division I men’s soccer and women’s water polo teams were able to raise funds to keep their Division I status. And the teams who play at All-Weather Field contacted alumni of those programs to solicit financial support for the field renovation efforts. But a parent of athletes on the eliminated men’s golf and softball teams implies they did not have a similar chance. “I think the student-athletes should have had the opportunity to save their programs.”

It’s a tough situation. I feel bad for the kids on the seven slashed teams. But I understand the budget problems that Hartwick faces and think they should have the discretion to act accordingly. Plus, without knowing details of the process, there’s no guarantee that the funds raised for All Weather Field could’ve helped teams who don’t play there.

That being said, I would’ve picked a different time and a different quote to announce the football stadium renovation.

This is a good time for colleges to do some grading.

Not the kind that involves a red pen and a Scantron machine, but the kind with dirt and a big yellow tractor.

A handful of Division III schools are currently renovating their stadiums or building new ones. If you’re looking for news on those projects, you can strap on some boots and head out to the nearest construction site. Or we’ll just give you a quick and clean rundown on the construction we’re aware of here.

Allegheny is modernizing the Robertson Athletic Complex in a project that includes new Field Turf, lights and a pretty cool scoreboard which you can see here (scroll down a little and click on the photo to enlarge). The Gators are doing a nice job tracking progress with photos and related news stories online.

Catholic University is installing Field Turf at DuFour Stadium. The next phase will include improvements to the grandstand and press box. Do I hear “Coleman-Martel Memorial Stadium?” The Cards’ home opener comes against Ohio Wesleyan on September 9.

Delaware Valley is upgrading the playing surface at James Work Memorial Stadium. According to the release, the “$300,000 project includes upgrading the drainage systems, a new irrigation system, regrading the fields and track areas and the addition of heavy weight bluegrass sod.”

Interestingly the lead gift comes from Del Val alum Robert A. Lipinksi, a local entrepreneur who garnered attention by buying Terrell Owens’ NFC Championship ring in an auction. When asked about the field, Owens’ agent said he had no comment. Del Val opens 2006 at home against FDU-Florham on September 9.

Eureka! We found news on this Illinois school’s renovation project and figured we’d add it to the list. Actually it wasn’t that hard to find since the Red Devils’ thankfully posted the release on our site. They are redoing the press box and grandstand at McKinzie Field, which fans and broadcasters always appreciate. And who knew that the “Gipper” was a Eureka alum?

At Grove City, Robert E. Thorn Stadium is getting a major upgrade. The work includes new lights, new style artificial turf provided by CSTurf and a new eight-lane track. GCC opens at home against Carnegie Mellon on September 9.

Ohio Wesleyan is installing “Omni Grass Surface” at Selby Field as part of the “Remembering Mr. Rickey” campaign. You can follow along with the progress here. Ohio Wesleyan’s home opener is September 16 against Bethany.

The campaign namesake is Branch Rickey who helped integrate baseball by signing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers and later drafted Roberto Clemente. He graduated from OWU in 1913.

Macalester is installing Field Turf at Macalester Stadium in place of the natural grass surface battered by the football team and both soccer teams that shared the field. You can check out the release here or wait for the Scots’ home opener against Principia on September 9.

Montclair State also put in new Field Turf at Sprague Field and it should be ready for the September 23 home opener against Salisbury. The Red Hawks have played on Astroturf since 1979, redoing the carpet three times before this year. You can check out the progress here, including interesting photos of the crew sewing logos on the field.

Minnesota-Morris will have a new stadium this season thanks to a joint construction project with Morris High School. UMM has a ton of photos on its site, including the one above. According to the photo caption on the Cougars’ website, the end zone will be where the tiny horsies are. We’ll assume they’ll be invited to the festivities when UMM opens shop against Lawrence on September 2.

Waynesburg will trade in its natural grass for Field Turf at Wiley Stadium. Waynesburg will try out the new style rug when Wooster comes to town on September 9.

If you’re aware of other construction efforts, please post them below.