Seton-LaSalle football coach Greg Perry's message at a recent football booster meeting had little to do with football -- but it sure made his players' moms happy.

"I told them flat-out: 'Your work has been appreciated all down through the years, but I am sorry to tell you that the days of washing muddy practice uniforms are a thing of the past,'" Perry said with a chuckle. "I don't think they will mind too much, though."

Yes, the diligence displayed by those mothers won't be needed this coming season -- and ones thereafter -- as Seton-LaSalle is in the process of having a synthetic turf field constructed at its school.

The Rebels' football team formerly practiced in the same spot on a grass field that had a reputation for turning to mud very quickly as the summer weather made way for autumn's gloom.

It is Phase I of an overall project that will eventually culminate with Seton-LaSalle building a new fieldhouse, restrooms, a concession area, bleachers and lights.

The project was approved by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on May 13 and ground was broken on June 23. The synthetic turf phase of the project -- which will cost an estimated $1 million -- is scheduled for completion by Aug. 8, just in time for the beginning of the fall sports seasons a few days later.

The Rebels' freshman and junior varsity football teams, boys' and girls' soccer teams and lacrosse teams will all practice and play their home games at the site.

Seton-LaSalle's varsity football program will use the facility for practice only, as it is not large enough to accommodate crowds on Friday nights. The Rebels will continue to play their home football games, as they did last season, at Chartiers Valley High School.

"This much needed renovation is moving ahead quickly because parents and alumni have stepped up and taken lead roles in this project," Seton-LaSalle athletic director Brian Geyer said in a media release announcing the groundbreaking.

"To date, we have raised close to $650,000. This has allowed construction of Phase I to begin and will allow us to have a fresh new field for our young athletes to use this fall."

Having that new field is something that appeals not just to mothers trying to limit the amount of muddy clothes they have to launder, but perhaps more importantly athletes at Seton-LaSalle and ones considering attending the school.

"In this day and age, a lot of kids are geared toward the cosmetic view of things and what everything looks like and that is what draws them to it," Perry said.

"I will tell you, our surface is going to look very good. But, it will also be very practical in that it is a great surface in which they will be working out on and it won't turn to mud. This field is going to be something that helps strengthen our school and shows that Seton-LaSalle has a commitment to being the best place possible."