Emporia State’s Welch Stadium is getting new turf ahead of the 2026 football season. Installation is in progress now for a new state-of-the-art FieldTurf system. The project is anticipated to take two weeks so the field will be ready for the beginning of Hornet fall training camp which is set to begin on August 3. It is the first upgrade to the turf since 2016. As part of the upgrade, the surface, previously known as Jones Field, will now be known as Blackcreek Diesel Field. Blackcreek Diesel & Automotive will have their logo displayed prominently on the field, which serves as the home of Emporia State and Emporia High football. Jones Field was named for the W. S. and E. C. Jones Trust which provided the lead gift for the field’s artificial surface. It is the fourth major recent upgrade to the facility after Zola Witten Track was resurfaced and new lighting was installed in 2024 and a new videoboard was added to the south end zone in 2025. Welch Stadium has hosted two of the past three NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships and two of the past three Kansas Shrine Bowls. Opening Day at the stadium for 2026 is Week 2 against Michigan Tech on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
New Turf Coming to Welch Stadium
Photo Courtesy of Emporia State Athletics.
