Artificial Turf Would Lure Garrido to Illinois

The attempts of the University of Illinois to lure Augie Garrido, Cal State Fullerton baseball coach, apparently have come down to one issue--whether Illinois will commit to installing an artificial turf field.

Illinois Athletic Director Neale Stoner, who hired Garrido at Fullerton in 1973 while serving as athletic director there, has been seeking to again acquire the services of Garrido, saying he thinks Garrido is “the best (college baseball coach) in the country.”

Garrido, who early Thursday morning returned from a second trip to Illinois, said he has not made a decision, but that should Illinois assure him of an artificial turf to play on in the fickle spring weather of Illinois, he will accept the offer.

“Without a commitment to an AstroTurf field, I will not go,” Garrido said. “If they do commit to an AstroTurf field, that will decide it.”

Garrido, 47, has guided four Titan teams to the College World Series and won NCAA championships in 1979 and 1984.

Garrido has long sought improvements for the Fullerton baseball stadium. These improvements are scheduled to be made in 1989, when a football-soccer complex is to open on the campus.

“The issue is being able to fulfill whatever commitment I make to the athletes,” Garrido said. “Cal State Fullerton has done a great job by commiting to a stadium. But if all things are equal, then the issue of personal compensation kicks in. I guess I’m faced with two very good choices.”

Garrido would not reveal the details of the Illinois offer but said it would pay more than he makes at Fullerton.

Garrido said Stoner is trying to secure support for an artificial surface at Illinois, which completed a $2 million baseball facility this spring.