BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICIALS VISIT ASTROTURF TO SEE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR ALUMNI STADIUM FIELD

(DALTON, Georgia) - Boston College officials visited AstroTurf’s manufacturing facilities in Dalton, Georgia today to watch the final phase of the manufacturing process for the all-new field set to be installed at Alumni Stadium.

Tammy Stephens (AstroTurf), Kathy Storey (STR Prefabrication), Heard Smith (AstroTurf), Mike Tinch (AstroTurf), Ed Stokes (Boston College), Dave Wheaton (AstroTurf), John Kane (Boston College), Joe Shirley (Boston College), Bryan Peeples (AstroTurf)

 

On hand were Joe Shirley, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities; John Kane, Senior Associate Athletic Director; and Ed Stokes, Construction Project Manager at Boston College.  

The field is being completed this week and will be delivered to Boston College on Monday for the installation process.

The group saw the field being tufted, as well as the game-changing AstroTurf prefabrication process for the field.  Prefabricated panels are assembled at the factory and arrive on site with tufted yard lines, inlaid interior hash marks, and inbound lines.  A typical football field has 398 individual inlays inside the field.  This does not include any logos, end zone lettering, or goal line “G”s.  AstroTurf prefabrication eliminates 243 individual inlays from being completed at field installation. 

Each of these inlays is built into an AstroTurf field in a climate-controlled facility and are inspected to ensure full adhesion before it is shipped to the job site.  This means inlays are cut, placed, and glued by the same certified and skilled personnel every time.

Precision templates match STR Fabrication numbers and letters.  This method provides over a 60% reduction in inlaid markings on site.  The process eliminates approximately 145 man hours of work on site, conservatively estimated at 3-4 days of total installation time.  It also results in overall improved quality in the finished field installation.

“It was important for them and for us that they were able to see the manufacturing process,” said Dave Wheaton, Northeast Regional Sales Manager for AstroTurf.  “They want to know that they are getting the best product on the market and we were proud to be able to show them how we make the best fields on the market.”

“We went through an exhaustive search to find the best field available for our needs,” BC Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo said.  “We were impressed with what AstroTurf had to offer and they stood out as the logical choice.”

BC Senior Associate AD John Kane cited AstroTurf’s products, as well as their history, their vertically integrated manufacturing process, and the fact that the company is family-owned.

Bryan Peeples (AstroTurf), John Kane (Boston College)

“We felt like they came to us more as a partner than just a customer,” Assistant AD for Facilities Joe Shirley said.  “We felt secure because they are family-owned and control the manufacturing process from design through completion.  Another game-changer was their commitment to safety and quality.”

“We’re excited about our future with the great folks at Boston College,” said Wheaton.  “This is not about a single project.  It’s about a long-term relationship.”

Most teams installing a synthetic surface look at five major categories when choosing a turf.  Those include availability, performance, maintenance, safety, and aesthetics.

AstroTurf fields offer more than four times the availability of grass fields and this was a key element for Boston College.  The football team will be able to utilize the surface anytime for practice.  During the winter months, the school will install an inflatable dome over the field.  It can be used for winter workouts for football, as well as other sports like baseball.  It will also serve as a playing surface for several intramural sports programs.

From a performance standpoint, the make-up of the AstroTurf system stands out.  This surface features the all new Horseshoe fiber.  This new fiber is enjoying unprecedented success in the sports field marketplace, due to factors such as its unique shape.  The fiber’s horseshoe shape features 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, the highest in the industry.  This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

The Horseshoe fiber’s shape also allows it to reflect light and heat away from the surface.  That, in combination with AstroFlect heat reduction technology, 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.

From a maintenance standpoint, the field will require periodic grooming, but maintenance efforts are greatly reduced.  This will be vitally important as it related to the amount of use the new field will get, but will not require the maintenance required by a grass field to accommodate this level of use.

Regarding safety, a study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems had performance values more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, making it the safest option.  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.  

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From an aesthetics standpoint, the fields look amazing.  Making it even better is the fact that the football lines and logos are prefabricated and manufactured as part of the field, so the look is consistent.

There are a couple of added benefits.  One is the environment.  In 2010, BASF did a study comparing AstroTurf fields to natural grass fields.  In 11 environmental categories, AstroTurf had a lower environmental footprint than natural grass.  Factors contributing to this include reduced maintenance and mowing, which cause a variety of emissions.  Other factors include elimination of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the need for water.  AstroTurf fields also use soy-based polyols in the backing of products, reducing their dependence on foreign oil. 

From an economic standpoint, over 20 years, AstroTurf fields are, on average, 15% less expensive than natural grass fields, even when the cost of turf replacement is considered.

Finally, the biggest benefit seen by the most people will be the performance of the Boston College football team.

“The AstroTurf field will allow us to better prepare for games, which translates to better performance,” said Head Football Coach Frank Spaziani.  “It’s also important to recruiting, in that first-class facilities play a large role in recruiting success.  We believe the turf will help us bring the best student-athletes to Boston College.”

Installation will begin next week and will be completed prior to the start of football season.