Six months after the big game, a dedication took place Saturday at Arsenal Tech High School, where new artificial turf was installed -- the same turf the Super Bowl champion New York Giants practiced on at the University of Indianapolis before the game.

Mud, dirt and brown crunchy grass is no more for Arsenal Tech, RTV6's Matt Trees reported.

"It's a big difference from last year. Playing on solid grass, it was kind of hard, because the grass was just straight dirt," said football player Trey Holifield. "It feels great, too."

The renovation was one of many parts of a near-east side legacy project.

"It gave us a spotlight and a bullhorn and access to talent and to resources to help the neighborhood implement these plans," said James Taylor, of the John H. Boner Community Center.

Plans included the building of the legacy center and a facelift for many houses on the east side, but the new turf really got the athletes pumped up.

"With somebody giving us this opportunity to play on turf, it's going to open up our play," said football player Deonta Murray."It's not an uplifting neighborhood. It gives everybody something to look forward to. It's inspiring."

Arsenal Tech opens its home football season Aug. 31 against Northwest High School.