ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY TO PLAY FIRST HOME BASEBALL GAME SINCE 1958 ON NEW ASTROTURF FIELD

(MERION STATION, Pennsylvania) - Any team, no matter what sport, will tell you how important home field advantage can be. The Saint Joseph’s University Hawks baseball team has not known that feeling in 53 years.

Today, all that changes.

With a new stadium on campus and a state-of-the-art AstroTurf baseball field, the Hawks will play their first home game on campus since 1958.

"This is a truly exciting time for our program," said head coach Fritz Hamburg. "The student-athletes and coaching staff are eager to play in our new park and we are honored to bring intercollegiate varsity baseball back to Hawk Hill."

Hamburg sees the new facility as an advantage, both on and off the field, because student athletes have more time to train and to study since they will be eliminating travel time to practice and games.

"The team can get on the field anytime they want to now because we will not be sharing it with one or two other teams," Hamburg said. "Our players will finally be able to have a true Division I program experience. I have the utmost respect and credit for those who came through this program due to the sacrifices that they were forced to endure."

“We’re proud to have been a part of this project,” said Dan Driscoll, AstroTurf Regional Sales Manager. “This is a facility the St. Joseph’s community can be proud of for years to come and their student athletes will be playing on a world-class surface.”

For 20 years, the Hawks played at Latshaw-McCarthy field in Norristown. For part of 2009 and all of 2010-11, they played their home games at Campbell’s Field in Camden, New Jersey. The new field sits on the property formerly utilized by Episcopal Academy.

"Having this field on campus has been a dream for countless years," Smithson said. "We're thrilled that our players will have the full experience of having their fellow students and fans right here with them, cheering them on to success."

Hamburg also said that playing on a field on campus is huge for recruiting purposes.

The new AstroTurf field features GameDay Grass 3D60H in the grass areas. The field will feature the revolutionary Horseshoe fiber. This fiber is enjoying unprecedented success in the sports field marketplace, due to factors such as its unique shape. The fiber is a horseshoe shape with two end columns with a thicker diameter. The design imparts mechanical memory so that the fiber remains upright longer, unlike other fields whose fibers quickly flatten and split or shred at the spine. The Horseshoe fiber continues to spring back to its original configuration, even after years of heavy foot traffic or exposure to ultra-violet radiation.

The field also has a face weight of 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, one of the highest in the industry. This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

In extensive testing, the Horseshoe fiber performs most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. The Horseshoe fiber’s shape also allows it to reflect light and heat away from the surface.

The field will also have a RootZone, which is a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface.

The areas which are typically dirt will feature another AstroTurf fiber designed specifically to more closely replicate the performance attributes of dirt. The warning track will feature AstroTurf PureGrass.

The decision by the Hawks is part of a growing trend toward synthetic turf in baseball. St. Joseph’s joins Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Wichita State, Kansas, Kansas State, Ohio State, and others with AstroTurf fields. AstroTurf is the Official Synthetic Turf of Major League Baseball and is used by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays.

The facility also features a new clubhouse, batting cages, and elevated bullpens with benches and phones connected to the dugouts.

The team held their first practice on the field yesterday and the Hawks will play 26 of their 54 scheduled games on the AstroTurf surface this season. The first game is today, against non-conference opponent Iona. The first pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. Prior to the game, the first pitch will be thrown out by St. Joseph’s University Interim President John Smithson, a 1968 graduate and St. Joseph’s Baseball Hall of Famer. He will throw the ceremonial first pitch to his catcher Ed Martini.
You can catch all the action on live streaming video here:

http://www.sjuhawks.com/allaccess/?media=308241

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY SELECTS ASTROTURF....AGAIN

(SLIPPERY ROCK, Pennsylvania) - Teams at The Rock are ready to roll on an all-new AstroTurf field at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Slippery Rock, which has utilized an AstroTurf playing surface since 2003, is updating the turf at Bob DeSpirito Field with the most advanced synthetic surface available on the market.

The previous field, which has served The Rock well, is being replaced with the all-new AstroTurf 3D52 Xtreme.

“We looked at eight different companies when it came to replacing the turf,” said Slipper Rock Athletic Director Paul Lueken. “As we looked at the cost and quality of the products, the AstroTurf system rated highest on our list.”

The field will serve the university’s football, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse teams.

“This is a great win for us,” said Shamus Petrucelli, Regional Sales Director at AstroTurf. “Slippery Rock is a great university with a strong tradition, and it speaks volumes that they selected our product again.”

Lueken said that the original installation of an AstroTurf field brought a new dynamic to the Slippery Rock athletic department.

“We weren’t in a position to host a large number of events before,” said Lueken. “AstroTurf has been a great addition and it has allowed us to have a multi-purpose facility where we can host more events and outside events, such as high school football playoff games. We’re excited about the new field and the fact that it allows us to provide our students with the best possible system.”

The new system being installed should be just the ticket for the needs of the school, which participates in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The AstroTurf system will provide five major benefits. First, they get more time to host more events. Second, the field is designed to provide a more consistent playing surface, regardless of the sport. Third, AstroTurf systems require less maintenance. Fourth, AstroTurf systems are safer. Finally, AstroTurf systems provide a noticeable aesthetic and look great.

The new field combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product. The Horseshoe fiber has an Omega-shape, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer. It also reflects less light and heat. The slit film offers the ultimate in durability.

The field also has a face weight of 52 ounces of fiber per square yard, one of the highest in the industry. This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.
In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems perform most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. A study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems looked and performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, also making it the safest option.

The field also has RootZone, a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface.
The new AstroTurf 3D52 Xtreme system will be installed this summer and will be ready in time for the football team to begin practice in August.

About AstroTurf
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s first vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

ASTROTURF PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN WHITE HOUSE DIRECTIVE BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

(Bryan Peeples (r), is pictured with Kansas Soybean Commission Chairman Bob Haselwood at a Kansas State football game)

(DALTON, Georgia) - In a directive just handed down by President Obama, synthetic turf products made by AstroTurf and SYNLawn will become an increasingly important resource in federal government purchasing.

President Obama has directed the federal government to dramatically increase the purchase of biobased products over the next two years, which will create jobs and drive innovation where biobased products are grown and manufactured. The decision will also result in a 50 percent increase in the number of new products that are designated as biobased. Biobased products include items like paints, soaps and detergents, synthetic turf, and carpet are developed from farm grown plants, rather than chemicals or petroleum bases. The biobased products sector marries the two most important economic engines for rural America: agriculture and manufacturing.

AstroTurf, a member of the Biobased Products Coalition, makes synthetic turf which features backing made by Universal Textile Technologies and made from soybean based polyols. SYNLawn, the landscape division of AstroTurf, also features soy-based backing in its landscape turf products.

“My administration is committed to using every tool available to promote economic growth and create good jobs in rural America,” said President Obama. “Today’s announcements reflect our continued focus on expanding opportunity for rural Americans and all Americans, including supporting new and innovative businesses, and improving rural health care and education. And the actions we’re taking today are possible thanks to the feedback and ideas I’ve received from hardworking Americans across rural America, including the participants at the White House Rural Economic Forum.”

For AstroTurf and SYNLawn, the decision opens the doors for synthetic turf sports and landscape applications at federal government facilities throughout the country, including military installations.

AstroTurf has worked closely with soybean farmers throughout the country in creating awareness of its synthetic turf products. In 2011, AstroTurf installed the new football field at Kansas State University, where AstroTurf President Bryan Peeples and Kansas Soybean Commission Chairman Bob Haselwood were presented with a game ball and 5,000 fans received samples of the soy-backed AstroTurf.

“This is a monumental decision,” said Peeples. “AstroTurf and SYNLawn are on the cutting edge when it comes to the sustainability movement, and biobased manufacturing has become a huge part of our corporate culture. We are providing the best synthetic turf products available, all while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and helping to create American jobs.”

The Presidential Memo builds on the Congressional support for biobased products established in the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills. Key provisions in the new memorandum include:

•Requiring federal agencies to include goals and milestones for biobased purchasing in their Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans.

•Including biobased purchasing in the scorecard that the Office of Management and Budget uses to rate agencies’ Sustainability/Energy performance.

•Directing a 50 percent increase in the number of new product categories that are designated by USDA as biobased for preferred federal purchasing.

•Requiring new public reporting of federal agencies’ biobased product purchasing.

•Requiring federal agencies to sample and verify that biobased products are being included in purchasing contracts, identified in purchasing catalogs, and integrated in product specifications and contracting procedures.

•Directing the implementation of new biobased purchasing training, education, and outreach efforts to federal buyers.

•Providing assistance to small businesses to improve the selling of biobased products and services to the Federal Government.

•Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare a report to the President on job creation and the economic impact associated with the biobased products industry.

“We know that when biobased products are used, it’s going to create new manufacturing opportunities in rural areas and we also know that it’s going to reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The federal biobased initiative is also an important model for state and other governments, such as Ohio, that passed legislation that requires state agencies to buy biobased products that are designated through the federal biobased program. Counties across the nation have started using biobased products as well.

Biobased product manufacturers and allied organizations launched the Biobased Products Coalition, of which AstroTurf is a member, in 2007 to focus and coordinate industry efforts to improve the federal biobased program and promote other favorable federal policies. The BPC provides a forum for biobased manufacturers of all sizes as well as farmer and other trade associations to present a unified industry voice on federal policy.

ASTROTURF FIELD AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER CALLED THE BEST EVER

(CARSON, California) - The AstroTurf field that many have called the best synthetic turf field ever, has completed its run at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

The field, which marks the first time a field was installed on AstroBase, was installed in December and has hosted the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the California Interscholastic Federation State Football Championship Bowl games, international soccer matches, and practices for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. The Home Depot Center is home to the L.A. Galaxy of the MLS and must play their games on natural grass, so the field has been removed and is up for sale.

The field is approximately 81,900 square feet and the AstroBase system consists of nearly 15,000 interlocking base panels. The panels are structural and provide all the benefits of a shock pad and drainage system.

The field surface is the all-new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 Extreme. The field combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product. The Horseshoe fiber has an Omega-shape, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer. It also reflects less light and heat. The slit film offers the ultimate in durability.

The field has a face weight of 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, the highest in the industry. This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems perform most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. A study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems looked and performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, also making it the safest option.

The field features AstroFlect heat reduction technology, which can lower surface temperatures by as much as 18%.

The field also has RootZone, a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface. The AstroTurf infill is a manufacturer’s blend of silica sand and ambient rubber.

Hundreds of coaches, players, synthetic turf industry professionals, architects, and construction managers had the opportunity to see, inspect, and play on the field. Most said it was the best synthetic playing field that they had ever seen.

Here’s what a number of them had to say about the field:

TOM FLORES – OAKLAND RAIDERS
Flores was most impressed with the fact that with this field, games are decided on the field and not by the field.

“I think the biggest impression has been that there has been no impression. I’ve asked individual players and they’ve all said it’s great. They’ve never experienced playing on turf like this and they’ve all played on some kind of artificial surface.”

In comparing this AstroTurf field to other synthetic turf fields, Flores said, “It’s not even close.”

DICK VERMEIL – RAMS, CHIEFS, EAGLES
“I’ve been very impressed. I haven’t seen one football player slip and that’s impressive in itself. The surface seems to be very close to a natural grass field. The players have been very positive about it, as well.”

DARRELL GREEN – DB – HOF – WASHINGTON REDSKINS
“AstroTurf is more than just a word. It’s more than just a field to play on. Our kids can feel good about the fact that a lot has gone into developing this surface. This is something that’s been well thought through. It has technology behind it. It gives the kids a chance to come out there and be wide open and have fun, yet a greater chance to walk off the field on two feet. It’s important, particularly for a player like me, who played 20 years in some tough conditions throughout the league, to see now that the technology has surpassed what I’ve ever known and the results are there. I think the NFLPA and AstroTurf have done something special here.”

WILL SHIELDS – OL - CHIEFS“I think it’s really cool. It’s a fast turf.”
Shields also discussed safety and other issues, and said, “Safety affects a lot, for the simple fact you can stop worrying about your knees and joints and everything else. It’s nice to know AstroTurf is working to make it even better for players. It also makes upkeep a lot easier and there’s no worrying about emissions. Teams are very fortunate to be able to put this kind of surface in.”

RAY CROCKETT – DB - BRONCOS“Actually, it’s outstanding! I wish I would have been able to play another three or four years on a surface like this, I might have gotten 18 years in.”

Regarding the safety of the field and a pro career, Crockett said, “What you play on saves your life. On this field, you feel secure.”

JACORY HARRIS – QB – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
“This new AstroTurf surface is unreal! It’s better than regular turf. You can plant, you can cut, you can do whatever you want on this surface. It’s been great for us. The field is just amazing and it definitely helps with performance and safety.”

DELANO HARRIS – LB – BOWIE STATE“It’s smooth, it’s balanced, and the cuts are great. You become very explosive and that’s important, especially for a linebacker. It’s really important. I know the scouts are checking on cuts and to see how explosive you are. With this field it’s just a blessing because it gives you a chance to pick up your speed when you might not be as fast as the next guy. You’ll never be able to tell on a field like this, a surface like this. It’s been a blessing to have AstroTurf as a part of this.”

EDDIE WHITLEY – WR – VIRGINIA TECH“It’s something else. Your cuts are great and you don’t have to worry about impact on the ground. It feels like I can go out there and just have fun. I can just go all out and have a good time.”

DA’JON MCKNIGHT – WR – UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
“It’s smooth, fast, and easy to cut.”

JASON BARNES – WR – UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
“The AstroTurf feels great. It’s great for receivers making cuts and getting in and out of cuts.”

MARK SERVE – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR – SIERRA CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
“The field was absolutely amazing. My receivers were making cuts that we’re normally not able to make on grass. We prefer AstroTurf because we’re a fast team. That field allows for a fast track. It plays to a team that has speed, which is what we have, so we took advantage of it.”

MAX TUERK – OL – SANTA MARGARITA HIGH SCHOOL
“It was the greatest game of my life. The AstroTurf was amazing. I usually slip, but I never slipped. That stuff has so much traction in it.”

JOHNNY STANTON – QB – SANTA MARGARITA HIGH SCHOOL“It’s one of the best fields I’ve ever played on. I didn’t even think about it the whole game. When you don’t have to think about it, you know you’ve done your job.”

MICHAEL HUTCHINGS – WR – DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL“It was a lot better. It was a lot more relaxing. It was a fast surface out there. It’s a little different than our turf at our school. It felt a little more grassy-feeling and I liked playing on it. It was a fast surface and allowed us to perform well.”

EUROPEAN HOCKEY FEDERATION RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASTROTURF

AstroTurf has renewed its partnership with the European Hockey Federation for four years. The announcement was made at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association annual convention in Philadelphia. It shows the commitment by these two great organizations in developing the sport around the world and continues to show that AstroTurf is the world's number one surface for the sport of field hockey.

What follows is the text of the release by the European Hockey Federation:


For 17 years AstroTurf has been a key partner of the European Hockey Federation. EHF announced today a further 4 year agreement with the world’s leading supplier of hockey pitches.

Bryan Peeples, President, AstroTurf and R.David Balbirnie of EHF signed the new partnership at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association annual awards banquet held in Philadelphia, USA, before a record 650 attendees.

“This is another historic day in the long and ongoing relationship between AstroTurf and EHF”, said Sjouke Tjeerdsma, Managing Director of AstroTurf Europe. “We are proud and honored to be affiliated with an organization that has done so much for the advancement of our sport. Together, we commit to improving and growing the game.” “AstroTurf is the player’s choice at the highest levels” said Michel Lootens, a former Belgium International player and part of the AstroTurf Europe team.

“Making this announcement here at the NFHCA convention shows our continued support of Field Hockey in the US, Europe and around the world.” Said Peeples. AstroTurf renewed its relationship with NFHCA in January of 2011 for an additional 5 years.

AstroTurf, the inventor of synthetic turf is one of the most iconic brands in hockey -- as legendary as the players who have competed on it! The brand that changed the way the game is played is still the surface most requested by players at the highest levels.

AstroTurf is the first synthetic turf brand with true vertical asset integration, ensuring that every inch of product meets and exceeds the highest standards of performance, quality and durability. With over 40 years of experience and 160,000,00square feet of turf installed worldwide, AstroTurf brings more technological expertise and real world know-how to the game than any other brand.

Today, AstroTurf products benefit from proprietary innovations in manufacturing, extrusion, installation and recycling that are outpacing industry trends.

Marijke Fleuren, President of the EHF said “I would like to personally thank Bryan Peeples, President AstroTurf for its continuing support of the EHF. Your loyalty, in these financially difficult times confirms your commitment to hockey. As an Executive Board, we recently re-affirmed our commitment to hockey in Europe and passion is the brick that binds us all together, there is no doubt that Bryan and his team in AstroTurf are equally driven by a passion to be the best and to provide the best products for the players.”



Pictured at the recent signing in Philadelphia were:

John Burke, AstroTurf; Andy Belles, AstroTurf; Pam Hixon, AstroTurf; R.David Balbirnie, EHF; Bryan Peeples, AstroTurf; Michiel Lootens , AstroTurf Europe; Sjouke Tjeerdsma, AstroTurf Europe; Kris Goossens, AstroTurf Europe.

BIG NAME ASSISTANT COACHES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE ASTROTURF NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL

(LOS ANGELES, California) - Two old rivals will face off as coaches in the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday, January 21st at The Home Depot Center in LA, and they have announced their assistant coaches for the game.

“It doesn’t get any better than this group,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf. “These guys were all top-notch players and coaches and these young men who are playing will benefit greatly.”

Dick Vermeil, who coached with the Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs, won a SuperBowl with the Rams. Tom Flores, who coached with the Raiders, won two Super Bowls. They faced off in Super Bowl XV, and now they will face off again as they coach the next generation of NFL players.

Their assistant coaches will be:

Martin Bayless was a defensive back who played collegiately at Bowling Green. He played in the NFL from 1984-1996 for the Cardinals, Bills, Chargers, Chiefs, and Redskins. After playing, he served in the front office of the Bills, and then began a coaching career which has taken him from high school to the University of North Carolina. He has also coached in the NFL Europe, the UFL, and with the Panthers, Raiders, Vikings, and Texans.

Isaac Bruce was a four-time Pro Bowler at wide receiver. He played for the Rams and 49ers from 1994-2009. He finished his career with 15,208 receiving yards. He currently ranks third on that list behind Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.

John Bunting played linebacker at the University of North Carolina. He played professionally for the Eagles from 1972-1982 with the Eagles and then played two years in the USFL. He has been an NFL assistant with the Chiefs, Rams, and Saints. He also served as head coach of the University of North Carolina from 2001-2006.

Frank Gansz, Jr.,is a longtime special teams coach at the college and professional level. He has served as special teams coach for the Ravens, UCLA, and is currently in the role at SMU.

Carl Hairston played defensive end in the NFL from 1976-1990 for the Eagles, Chiefs, and Cardinals. He has coached with the Cardinals, Chiefs, Rams, and Packers. Amazingly, Hairston was either a player or coach in all 240 games coached by Dick Vermeil.

Matthew Hatchette was a receiver at Langston University. He played six NFL seasons for the Vikings, Jets, and Jaguars. Eric Hicks was a defensive end from the University of Maryland, who played with the Chiefs, Jets, and Lions from 1998-2009.

Vonnie Holliday was a defensive end at the University of North Carolina. He began his pro career in 1998 and has played with the Packers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Broncos, and Redskins. He is currently with the Arizona Cardinals.

Priest Holmes was a running back at the University of Texas. He played for the Ravens and the Chiefs from 1997-2007 and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and won a ring in Super Bowl XXXV.

Billy Long played collegiately at Alabama. He has over 20 years coaching experience at the collegiate level, including coaching the offensive line at Arkansas. He served as a consultant for the St. Louis Rams and as strength and conditioning coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kevin Mawae was a four-year starter at center for LSU. The eight-time Pro Bowler played for 14 years in the NFL with the Seahawks, Jets, and Titans.

Rod Martin was a USC linebacker who played 12 NFL seasons from 1977-1988. The two-time Pro Bowler played with the Raiders and was a part of the winning team in two Super Bowl victories(1980-1983).

Steve Ortmayer began coaching in 1967 at Colorado. He also coached collegiately at Georgia Tech. He has served as a coach with the Chiefs and the Raiders, as well as being the general manager of the San Diego Chargers.

Tony Richardson was a running back for Auburn University. The three-time Pro Bowler played with the Chiefs, Vikings, and Jets from 1995-2010.

Greg Robinson has spent years in the coaching ranks. He was the onetime head coach at Syracuse and has served as a defensive coach with the Chiefs, Broncos, and Jets.

Bob Saunders is the son of longtime NFL coach Al Saunders. He has served as an offensive assistant with the Chiefs, the Rams, and the Redskins.

Terry Shea played collegiately as a quarterback at Oregon. As a coach, he was the offensive coordinator at Cal and has served as the head coach for San Jose State and the British Columbia Lions of the CFL. He has also coached with the Chiefs, Bears, and Rams. He currently prepares elite quarterbacks for the NFL and has worked with such players as Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford, and Josh Freeman.

Will Shields may be the most recognizable of the assistant coaches. Shields played collegiately at Nebraska, where he was an All-American and won the outland trophy. He was also named to the Collegiate All-Century Team. In December 2011, Shields was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He played 14 years for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection. Shields is on the ballot for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class.

Ted Tollmer played quarterback at Cal Poly. He went on to become the offensive coordinator at USC, and followed John Robinson as the head coach of the Trojans. He also coached at San Diego State.

Eric Warfield is another Nebraska product coaching in the game. He played cornerback in the NFL for the Chiefs and the Patriots from 1998-2006. The game begins at 3:00 PST and will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.

About AstroTurf
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s first vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety.

TOM FLORES AND DICK VERMEIL TO COACH IN THE ASTROTURF NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL

(LOS ANGELES, California) – Two coaching legends will face off in the newest bowl game to feature the best collegiate football players.

Dick Vermeil and Tom Flores will coach the two teams of all-stars in the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on January 21st in Los Angeles at The Home Depot Center.

Vermeil, who has the distinction of being named Coach of the Year at four levels including high school, junior college, NCAA Division I, and professional football, will participate in the game.

Vermeil became the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976 after being the first special teams coach in NFL history for the LA Rams and then head coach for UCLA. Vermeil then spent 15 years as a sportscaster. He returned to coaching in 1997 with the St. Louis Rams and won Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. He retired the following year, but returned to coaching with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001, where he stayed until 2006.

Flores played from 1960-1969 with the Raiders, Bills, and Chiefs. After serving as an assistant coach with Buffalo and Oakland, he became the Raiders head coach in 1979 after John Madden retired. He coached the Raiders from 1979-1987 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1992-1994. Flores was the first Hispanic player to play in a Super Bowl and the first minority head coach to win a Super Bowl. Flores won Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII as a head coach.

This is not the first time the two coaching legends have squared off. Most notably, the Raiders, coached by Flores, defeated the Eagles, coach by Vermeil in Super Bowl XV in 1980.

The American and National coaching staffs and their rosters face off on January 21 at the Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is 3 p.m. PT.

Standout players and coaches, both active and former, will come together from the top professional and collegiate ranks to help 100 draft-eligible players showcase their talent on the NBC Sports Network and in front of 25,000 fans and scouts.

The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be more than just an all-star game for participants as the week-long educational experience will provide them with valuable information on how to succeed both on and off the field. The hand-picked staffs of Vermeil and Flores are committed to engaging and educating the game’s participants on preparing for the business of football.

The week will also bring the excitement of professional football back to Los Angeles as the player participants interact with the Southern California community through youth clinics and fan appreciation initiatives.

Hollywood glitz and glamour will also be incorporated as the NFLPA PULSE Awards will be held in downtown L.A. on the eve of the game. The annual event honors some of the biggest names in the NFL for their accomplishments both on and off the field.

Exciting partnerships with some of the most recognizable names in sporting events ensures the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide a professional-level experience for its players, fans and sponsors. AEG and IMG bring elite management teams and unparalleled sporting event expertise to the inaugural game. The Home Depot Center has hosted some of the finest competitions in international athletics, where AstroTurf will unveil an innovative field.

The field surface is the all new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 Extreme. The field combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product. The Horseshoe fiber has an Omega shape, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer. It also reflects less light and heat. The slit film offers the ultimate in durability.

The field also has a face weight of 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, the highest in the industry. This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems perform most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. A study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems looked and performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, also making it the safest option.

The field features AstroFlect heat reduction technology, which can lower surface temperatures by as much as 18%.

The field also has RootZone, a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface.

The field rests atop an all new AstroBase system, 15,000 interlocking panels which will provide stability for the field, allow for better drainage, and decrease installation time.

Tickets went on sale nationwide through Tickermaster.com in November.

About AstroTurf
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s first vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality,
technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit http://www.astroturfusa.com/.

WORLD RECORD SNOWMOBILE JUMP ON ASTROTURF

Last year, Levi Levalle set the world record jump on a snowmobile, using an AstroTurf ramp. He was injured in practice and could perform the stunt live on New Year's Eve.

This year he performed the jump on New Year's Eve in San Diego alongside a motorcycle ridden by Robbie Maddison, also attempting a world record.

Levalle set the record this year with an amzing jump of 412', all while using an AstroTurf ramp since there is no snow in San Diego. What'll they think of next?

Check out the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-OU1vfyaks&feature=player_embedded

ASTROTURF PROUD OF PARTNERSHIP WITH ERIC BERRY

While we missed seeing Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs play this year due to an early season injury, we got an opportunity to spend a little time with him right before Christmas and we couldn’t be prouder of our association with this fine young man.

In a world where professional athletes increasingly lose sight of the team concept and exist with a sense of entitlement, Eric Berry is one of the good guys. Literally. Berry, who has been ranked as one of the Top 5 Good Guys in the NFL, along with Tim Tebow and Drew Brees, is truly a humble guy with a bright future.

Before beginning his NFL career, Berry decided he wanted to give back to the recreation department where he grew up. Duncan Park, in Fairburn, Georgia, is managed by Berry’s father James, who was a three-year starter for the Tennessee Vols. Eric wanted the park to have the benefit of a synthetic turf field so that young athletes in Fairburn would have a first-class field on which to play and develop their skills. He partnered with AstroTurf to provide a state-of-the-art field at Duncan Park. As a result of the partnership, Berry also took a huge interest in player safety and worked with AstroTurf to help open the Center for Athletic Field Safety at the University of Tennessee.

He also formed the Eric Berry Foundation to give back to kids and he is a great representative for all that is right about sports.

Prior to his rookie year, Eric was at preseason camp where temperature soared to over 100 degrees. After practice, he performed his rookie duties and carried the pads of two veterans from the field back to the locker room. On the way, he stopped to sign autographs for fans and was the last player left outside. He’d signed for everyone who wanted an autograph, but there were two kids left who wanted an autograph, but had nothing left to sign. Berry sat down and took his cleats off and signed them for the boys, leaving him to carry the equipment back to the locker room in his socks.

Berry is willing to sign for so many fans because when he was in high school, he was shunned when he approached the great Deion Sanders. Berry vowed that if he made it as a pro that he would never do that.

Eric joined us at Competitive Edge Sports (CES) in Atlanta right before Christmas to film a commercial and be interviewed about the safety and other benefits of playing on AstroTurf. The commercial will air on January 21st on the NBC Sports Network during the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Some of his other video comments will air at the American Football Coaches Association in San Antonio next week.

He came in and talked to everyone who wanted to talk to him and was very accommodating. He also displayed his classic humble attitude. After filming, Eric and I discussed a high school game of his that I had officiated. He spoke about that game with a passion that would have made you think he was still playing for Creekside High School. Eric hasn’t forgotten where he came from.

One thing’s for sure, I can tell you where he’s going. I, for one, will be encouraging my son to follow Eric’s career and look up to him as a role model.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Chip Smith of CES in Atlanta for letting us use his facility to film with Eric. CES is the premiere training facility for professional athletes all over the country and is also recognized for training future NFL players who are working out to participate in combines.

We also owe a big thanks to Ashley Kerns of Allegiant Athletic Agency (a3), Eric’s agency, for coordinating the shoot. She’s a real trooper who works hard to help Eric honor all his commitments, as well as a tireless worker in organizing Eric’s football camps, which help kids all over the country.

Like us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AstroTurf/124352067595110

SOUTH CAROLINA AND NEBRASKA FACE OFF IN THE CAPITAL ONE BOWL ON ASTROTURF

It's the first day of the new year and despite the promise for great things to come, it seems a little strange not having college football on the first day of the year.

The NFL has provided the much-needed action, but tomorrow brings with it more college football.

The game we'll be focusing on kicks off at 1:00 p.m. at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando. South Carolina will take on Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. The part that grabs our attention is that the game will be played on AstroTurf.

If the previous bowl game on this AstroTurf surface is any indication, this game will be a good one. In the Champs Sports Bowl on December 29th, Florida State battled back from a 14 point deficit to beat Notre Dame 18-14.

The Capital One Bowl should also be a good one. South Carolina is 10-2 and Nebraska is 9-3.

When it comes to points scored, this should be a pick-it. South Carolina averages 30.1 points per game and Nebraska is slightly better at 30.5

South Carolina has the edge in points against, only giving up 18.8 points per game, while Nebraska is giving up 22.8.

South Carolina has the edge in passing yards, and Nebraska has a better rushing average. However, South Carolina rates better in both pass and rush defense.

On paper, it looks like a very even match-up.

While you're watching the game, make sure to take note of the AstroTurf surface. Two years ago, when Penn State faced LSU in the Capital One Bowl, the field was a muddy mess. The weather, compounded by the number of events held on the field prior to that game, created the problem.

After the game, Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium officials enlisted AstroTurf to change the surface. They got the most advanced synthetic turf playing surface available.

Make sure to check it out.