{"id":598,"date":"2025-12-01T19:27:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T00:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utk-stg.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/?page_id=598"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:51:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T18:51:27","slug":"impact","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\"A\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

UT\u2019s
game-changing
impact<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The University of Tennessee\u2019s research collaboration with FIFA will reach beyond FIFA World Cup 26. The impact of this work stretches from youth league sports to professional sports, academics to career outcomes, and even has potential to change the way we grow food. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\nAthletic Impact<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nStudent Impact<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nAgricultural Impact<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\"Young\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

From youth leagues to the pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Long after the winning goal is made at FIFA World Cup 26, athletes of all ages who play on turfgrass fields and pitches will be able to do so more safely thanks to research from UT’s turfgrass experts. The five-year research collaboration between UT and FIFA, combined with decades of earlier research, will help young athletes excel while mitigating the risk of injury.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

We never want to take away from a player\u2019s ability to play the game they love, and especially when we can control those situations. So, it is the pinnacle of what we do. It\u2019s the priority all the time. The health and safety and well-being of our players is at the top of our priorities.<\/p>Joe Kirt<\/strong><\/strong>
head coach, Lady Vols soccer<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead more about how UT\u2019s research will help keep players safe<\/strong><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

55%<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

of youth aged 6\u201317 played organized sports in the US in 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

50M<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

acres of maintained turf on lawns, golf courses, sports fields, parks, and playgrounds in the US<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

$11.2B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

investment in local parks by the 100 most populous US cities<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stats from Project Play<\/a> and the Aspen Institute<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"\"\n\n\n\n\"\"\n\n\n\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\"A\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

55%<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

of youth aged 6\u201317 played organized sports in the US in 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats from Project Play<\/a><\/strong> and the Aspen Institute<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"A\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

50M<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

acres of maintained turf on lawns, golf courses, sports fields, parks, and playgrounds in the US<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats from Project Play<\/a><\/strong> and the Aspen Institute<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

$11.2B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

investment in local parks by the 100 most populous US cities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats from Project Play<\/a><\/strong> and the Aspen Institute<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stats from Project Play<\/a><\/strong> and the Aspen Institute<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Cultivating careers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"YouTube