McClave School Scores a Touchdown with Tahoma 31: A New Standard for Colorado Athletics
McClave, CO — April 21, 2026
By Ross Kurcab, CSFM
At McClave School (K-12), excellence isn’t just a goal; it’s a tradition. With championship banners crowding the rafters, the school’s athletic pedigree is undeniable. However, by 2023, the crown jewel of their outdoor facilities—the football field—was failing to live up to that standard.
The Challenge: A Field in Decline
McClave School Football field. February 2024.
Thinning grass, stubborn weeds, and persistent bare patches had turned the field into a source of frustration. For Superintendent and girls’ basketball coach Brianne Howe, the situation had become a matter of athlete safety. “We had tried everything—seed, sod, you name it,” Howe recalls. “But nothing worked. It was just weeds and bare patches, and we felt it was becoming unsafe for our players.”
The struggle was compounded by the harsh realities of Southeast Colorado’s climate. Like much of the region, McClave faces significant hurdles regarding water quality and quantity. While local well water is often too saline and costly to treat, the alternative—ditch water from the Arkansas River—is unpredictable in both availability and cost during hot, dry cycles.
The Solution: Tahoma 31 Hybrid Bermudagrass
The experts at Green Valley Turf Co. identified the perfect fix: Tahoma 31 (T31). This cold-hardy hybrid bermudagrass is engineered for high-performance environments:
Transformation and Results
In the winter of 2024, the school began a complete overhaul, rebuilding the aged irrigation system and prepping the soil for the field’s first-ever full resodding. On June 1, 2024, Tahoma 31 sod from Green Valley’s Platteville farm was installed. The field was more than ready for play by early August.
New Tahoma 31 field. September 2024
The difference was immediate. Unlike the tough, “wiry” bermudagrass varieties often found in the region, Howe describes Tahoma 31 as a “soft, lush, and tight carpet.” “It makes a great surface for our players, which is our top priority,” Howe noted. “It’s incredibly divot-resistant and recovers from the wear and tear of games and practices remarkably well.”
A Sustainable Future for the Cardinals
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. As the only school in the area currently utilizing T31, McClave has become a point of interest for visiting teams and media alike. “I mean, they love it! We are so thankful because now we have a field everyone can be proud of.” said Howe. “We have received a lot of compliments and questions from visiting teams and the local media.”
The new Tahoma 31 field has become a source of great pride for the top-ranked ” Bird Gang” and their passionate fans in SE Colorado.
The decision to go with Tahoma 31 has proven especially prophetic following Colorado’s dismal winter snowpack this year. Despite predictions of limited Arkansas River water, McClave remains confident they can maintain a beautiful, safe playing surface.
Looking Ahead:
By choosing Tahoma 31, the McClave Cardinals have secured a field worthy of their athletes at a fraction of the cost of artificial turf, proving that high-performance sports can—and should—be sustainable.
