What does Michael Vick’s release mean for the NFL?

Former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick ended his 23-month federal dogfighting sentence Monday, clearing the way for a possible return to the NFL….maybe.

Before Vick can sign with another team, he must get through NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell. The face to face meeting will happen sometime in the near future as Goddell will assess whether or not the NFL will enforce its own suspension on the former star.

Arguments can be made for both sides. Some people say that Vick has served his time. 18 months behind bars before spending the last two months in home confinement, he should be allowed to return to his profession if the opportunity is there. Others say that what Vick did is unforgivable and he deserves to be suspended by the NFL or possibly not even reinstated back into the league.

Dog fighting is cruel, inhumane and inexcusable. The stories that came out from what was taking place at Vick’s home were utterly disturbing. How could anybody do that to a living animal? How could the NFL’s highest-paid player, making $10 million per season, do such a thing as a hobby? What was he thinking? These are all questions I’m sure the Commish will ask Vick when they sit down.

Earlier this year, Goddell suspended Browns WR Donte Stallworth indefinitely without pay after he plead guilty to DUI manslaughter and was sentenced to just 30 days in jail. One would think that Vick would face at least the same type of treatment.

Either way, Michael Vick is preparing for his comeback. He has hired a world-class trainer to get him back into playing shape should he reinstated for 2009. If this were to happen, you would expect there to be numerous teams that will inquire about the former Pro Bowl Quarterback. The biggest hurdle then will be, is the reward for bring Vick's skills to their team worth the PR hit they are sure to take by signing Michael Vick.

Don't Give up...Don't Ever Give Up...

Last week I had a meeting with a business associate when they noticed the LIVESTRONG band adorned on my right wrist. With the Tour de France underway, he asked me if I was wearing the bright yellow band in support of Lance Armstrong, who is returning to the Tour for the first time since 2005. I jokingly told him that I was not a big bike racing fan, just a fan against cancer.

A few years ago, I had worn that same band made famous by Armstrong as a fashion statement. Today, the band means much more to me. Last October I received the heartbreaking news that my grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Having to wait in gut wrenching agony over the coming days and weeks as countless doctors worked to determine the severity of the disease and the course of action for her treatment was a true test for our family.

My grandmother is the type of person that shows no fear. She is an emotional woman, yet remarkably brave, resilient, strong and steadfast. I knew that if anyone in the world could beat cancer, it was her. We were not nearly as strong as she was. We were concerned, worried, distraught and angry; why would this happen to her? What did she do wrong? She doesn’t deserve this!

The day I learned of the diagnosis, 772 miles separating us, I spoke with her on the phone and told her that I loved her and that WE would all beat this cancer together. I think I told her that more for myself than for her. She knew she could beat it, I was trying to convince myself. After that conversation, I dug through my drawers and pulled out that old LIVESTRONG band. What was once a fashion symbol created by marketing executives was now a symbol of hope and belief.

In the coming weeks, after dozens of tests, doctors visits and scans, we received the news we had all been hoping and praying for: the cancer was in its early form and with aggressive radiation treatment, it could be treated. Even in her late 70’s I knew she would conquer this disease.

Today, the cancer is in remission and she is as healthy as ever. This miracle could not have been possible if not for the generosity of millions of people around the world, donating billions of dollars for cancer research.

Today is the 5th annual Don't Give Up ESPYS V Foundation Auction on ESPN Radio. Hundred of unique experiences are available for auction both online and on ESPN Radio. Even if you are unable to bid on these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, please log-on to the V Foundation website or call 1-800-4JIMMYV to donate as much or as little as you can. 100% of your contributions will go directly to cancer research.

And as for that bright yellow LIVESTRONG band on my right wrist, I have not removed it for a second since that fateful day in October. Every time I look down, it reminds my of the strength and resiliency my grandmother has displayed every day since and gives me hope that one day, we will cure this disease forever.

Midsummer Classic

Sunday marked the final day of the first half to the 2009 MLB regular season. As the stars arrive in St. Louis for tonight’s Home Run Derby and tomorrows All-Star game, we look back at an interesting first half and look forward to the second half. As for a prediction, I believe this is the year the National League gets its revenge and earns its 1st All-Star Game victory since 1996.

National League 6, American League 4

Midseason Awards

NL Team – San Francisco Giants (49-39, 7 GB NL West, NL Wild Card Leader)

Bruce Bochy’s third season in San Francisco is off to a memorable start. Capped on Friday night with Jonathan Sanchez throwing the first no-hitter of the 2009 season, the Giants find themselves two games up on the Rockies in the NL Wild Card standings.

Coming off a forgettable 72-90 campaign in 2008, the Giants are well positioned to make a run at their first trip to the playoffs since 2003.

The Giants are led by one of the best young pitching staffs in baseball, with All-Stars Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.33 ERA) and Mat Cain (10-2, 2.42 ERA) heading the group. Barry Zito and Randy Johnson have provided solid veteran leadership and solidified the #3 and #4 positions in the rotation with Jonathan Sanchez now guaranteed the final rotation stop.

The offense has been paced by All-Star snub Pablo Sandoval. The 22 year old 3B is batting a team-high .331 with 14 HR and 53 RBI in 80 games. Veteran C Bengie Molina has provided some needed pop behind the plate, with 11 HR and 50 RBI in 78 games.

Ultimately, the Giants will only go as far as their young starting pitchers will carry them. With Lincecum and Cain on top of the rotation, they are set for a run in the 2nd half.

AL Team - Detroit Tigers (48-39, 1st place in Central)

Another team off to a tremendous start after a tumultuous 2008, the Tigers find themselves with a 3.5 game lead in the Central at the break. After a last place finish in 2008, Jim Leyland’s youngsters have the largest lead of any team in the AL at the half way point.

The offense has been lead by 1st time All-Star 3B Brandon Inge (.264, 19 HR, 54 RBI) and All-Star OF Curtis Granderson (.254, 18 HR, 43 RBI, 15 SB). All-Star snub Miguel Cabrera (.322, 17 HR, 48 RBI) continues to put up solid numbers at first base.

The rotation has been a pleasant surprise for Jim Leyland’s squad. All-Star Justin Verlander has led the rotation (9-4, 3.59 ERA) of youngsters and cast-offs through the first half.

The biggest surprise however has been 1st time All-Star Edwin Jackson (7-4, 2.52 ERA). A promising prospect in the Dodgers farm system, Jackson made his MLB debut at the ripe age of 19 in 2003. After making just 14 starts in 3 seasons in LA, the Dodgers shipped Jackson to Tampa Bay, where he spent two full seasons in the rotation, amassing a 19-26 record in 63 starts with a stint in the bullpen during the 2008 playoffs. Jackson was again traded this off-season to Detroit in exchange for Matt Joyce where he has not disappointed.

At the break, Jackson leads the AL in WHIP (1.060), Hits per 9 IP (6.953), and is 2nd in the AL in ERA (2.515).

The Tigers will be in a three team race down the stretch with the White Sox and Twins for the Central division crown. But expect Jim Leyland to pull out all the stops to keep his young team on top of AL Central.

MVP – Albert Pujols 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

At 29, “The Machine” shows no signs of breaking down. After taking home the 2008 NL MVP, Pujols is the leader in the clubhouse for the 2009 crown. When the second half begins, Pujols will begin his attempt to complete the first Triple Crown in MLB since 1967.

Pujols leads the NL in Home Runs (32), RBIs (87) and is 4th in Batting Average (.332), trailing the leader Hanley Ramirez (.349). MLB’s leading vote getter for the All-Star, Pujols will make his 8th appearance in the midsummer classic, starting at 1B in his home ballpark, Busch Stadium.

Second Half Fearless Predictions

Here is how we see the final stretch of the season shaping up:

National League
East – Philadelphia Phillies
Central – Milwaukee Brewers
West – Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card – St. Louis Cardinals

American League
East – Boston Red Sox
Central – Minnesota Twins
West – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Wild Card – New York Yankees

World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers over the Boston Red Sox

Enjoy the Home Run Derby tonight and All-Star Game tomorrow, and then buckle your seat belt for an exciting second half.

Manning Passing Academy underway at NSU

For the 3rd consecutive year, AstroTurf is proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. This years camp will host close to 1,000 football players from around the country to learn from some of football best coaches and players.

The camp is hosted by Archie Manning and his family. "Peyton, Cooper, Eli and me have never missed a minute of these camps, " Archie said. "We try to have a lot of fun with the kids. We do see development. We have kids who come back three or four years, although we're not taking credit for (their improvement)."

The camp runs until Sunday at Manning Field built by AstroTurf at John L. Guidry Stadium. The stadium was renovated in 2007 with GameDay Grass 3D from AstroTurf, one of the most advanced synthetic sports surfaces in the industry.

Click here to learn more about Manning Field built by AstroTurf

Click here to learn more about the Manning Passing Academy

St. Louis Rams Select State-of-the-Art System from AstroTurf(R) for Practice Field

First NFL team to install an advanced synthetic turf system from AstroTurf®

AstroTurf brings its latest innovation directly to the National Football League. The announcement came today that the St. Louis Rams have selected AstroTurf® for a new synthetic practice field at Rams Park. The joint construction effort between GSV, AstroTurf and Munie Greencare Professionals will begin immediately and the field will be ready in time for the start of training camp in late July.

"After looking at all the different synthetic turf providers available, we felt AstroTurf was the best choice for us," said Kevin Demoff, St. Louis Rams Executive VP of Football Operations/Chief Operating Officer. "AstroTurf’s commitment to player performance and safety was a major factor in our decision. We can’t wait to get going on our new field."

The latest infilled systems from AstroTurf were designed and refined to meet the rigorous demands and performance characteristics required by the NFL. "This is a huge honor to have our state-of-the-art AstroTurf system validated by the Rams and the National Football League," said GSV Chairman Michael Dennis. "To have the greatest athletes in the world train on our system is a testament to years of testing, research and development that have gone into restoring AstroTurf as a leader in the industry. We are grateful to have been selected and proud to debut this fabulous technology with the Rams and the NFL."

The St. Louis Rams enter the 2009 season with a renewed sense of optimism under the leadership of new head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the former New York Giants Defensive Coordinator. "The Rams new AstroTurf practice field will be one of the finest in the NFL," said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf. "Everyone at GSV and AstroTurf are honored to have been selected and look forward to being a part of the St. Louis Rams for many years to come."

Installation of GameDay Grass™ 3D featuring astroflect™ Technology complete at The Meadows School

The first installation of GameDay Grass™ 3D from AstroTurf® featuring astroflect™ Technology was completed this week at The Meadows School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Celebrating their 25^th anniversary, the school maintains a total commitment to excellence in education. The Meadows School places 100% of its graduates in four-year accredited colleges and universities.

The 104,011 square foot field is composed of GameDay Grass 3D, one of the most advanced synthetic turf products, featuring best-in-class performance and safety benefits, and characteristics that closely mimic the look and feel of natural grass.

“We knew we were getting the best system available in the marketplace today in the GameDay Grass™ 3D surface from AstroTurf,” said Carolyn Goodman, Founder and President of The Meadows School. “When GeneralSports Venue came back to us and offered their new astroflect™ Technology, they reinforced our decision to select them as a partner. In a climate where managing heat is so important, we are thrilled to provide the students and families of The Meadows School with the first surface of its kind in the country.”

The Mustangs football program has a long and storied history of success, claiming six Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships since 1997, including the 2008 Class 2A Championship. Under the leadership of Head Coach Frank DeSantis, the Mustangs will break in their new GameDay Grass 3D field as they begin defense of their Class 2A Championship September 4^th against Sunrise Mountain in the 2009 season opener.

100 Days until kickoff at ODU

Our friend Rich Radford at the Virginian-Pilot has this outstanding update this morning. The new GameDay Grass 3D field has arrived and installation will begin any day now. It is an exciting time for AstroTurf, Coach Wilder and everyone at ODU.


Special delivery HamptonRoads.com PilotOnline.com: "Special delivery The carpet is here.

That's right, the rug that will be put in at Foreman Field -- artificial turf, astroturf, whatever you want to call it -- was sitting in the back of an 18-wheeler that had it's engine running as I drove down Bluestone Avenue this morning on my way to work.

I stopped and asked Stan and Fred and Pat and Earl what they had in the back of the truck. The conversation went something like this.
'Hey, what ya got in the back of that truck?'
'Rug.'
'From Georgia?'
'Yep.'
'Is it green and does it have stripes on it?'
'It does, as a matter of fact.'
'When's it going down on the field?'
'Dunno. We just deliver the stuff.'

I looked over Stan's shoulder and the goalpost in the north end zone was standing, waiting for rug to be put down around it. And there was a really big opening in the northwest corner of Foreman Field where they are talking about putting in temporary seats to meet the demand for tickets. Looked like a lot of equipment had been moved from that corner. In fact, when I thought about it, Foreman Field had become overgrown with weeds and little bothersome trees sprouting up wherever they could survive.

Now that football is just around the corner -- did you know today marks 100 days to kickoff? -- the place is really starting to look ... clean."

AstroTurf partners again with NFL Play 60

AstroTurf is proud to once again be the synthetic turf of choice for the National Football League's Play 60 Youth Football Festival. which was again held this past week before the NFL Draft in Central Park.

Kids of all ages had the opportunity to play with current and future NFL stars. The nine draft prospects invited to New York for the draft, including Matthew Stafford from Georgia, Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech and Aaron Curry from Wake Forest, participated in mini flag football games with hundreds of lucky kids.

Over 20,000 square feet of synthetic turf from AstroTurf set up temporarily in the middle of Central Park provided the backdrop for another unforgettable week.

AstroTurf named official turf of the DSRL

Oreo® Double Stuf™ Racing League Proudly Announces AstroTurf® as first official sponsor

Iconic Brands Team Up For One-of-A-Kind Sponsorship

The Oreo Double Stuf Racing League (DSRL), which turned the classic Oreo and milk ritual into a brand-new sport announced today that AstroTurf®, the world‟s first synthetic turf system, is now the first official sponsor of this unique licking league. The DSRL, whose members include quarterback brothers Peyton and Eli Manning and tennis star sisters Venus and Serena Williams, is now able to place itself with other popular sports, such as football, baseball and soccer that also play competitively, or in this case, "lick," on AstroTurf.

AstroTurf was designated as the official turf of the DSRL after deep consideration by "league officials."

"Selecting AstroTurf as the "official turf‟ for the DSRL makes perfect sense because it‟s a high quality product that will make it even more exciting for everyone, from professional athletes to consumer fans, to compete and show off their lick racing skills," said Stephen Chriss, director of consumer and customer engagement for Kraft Foods.

In fact, the first Oreo DSRL competition to take place on a custom-made DSRL/AstroTurf field will be a special lick racing event in West Palm Beach, Fla. on April 24, where two teams of finalists will compete for the title of fastest Oreo "twister, licker and dunker" and a $10,000 grand prize. The Manning brothers and Williams sisters will be on hand to help "train" the finalists for the competition.

"In the more than 40 year history of AstroTurf, the decision to support the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League is a milestone for the company," said Rick Horrow, a sports business expert known as "The Sports Professor," and CEO of Horrow Sports Ventures. "This sponsorship is a one-of-a kind opportunity to align with another iconic brand. Together this relationship showcases the credentials of both AstroTurf and Oreo in making it possible for families and friends to engage in a bit of fun competition."

The AstroTurf sponsorship will include co-branded print advertising, inclusion at trade shows, and a co-branded presence on both the astroturfusa.com and dsrl.com Web sites.

History of the DSRL

The DSRL launched in January 2008 when famous quarterback brothers Peyton Manning and Eli Manning announced they were becoming "two sport" athletes by joining the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League. Since then, the League has continued to gain momentum as Venus and Serena Williams become the second set of siblings to take on lick racing.

Earlier this year, the sisters challenged the Mannings for DSRL supremacy, and raced against each other in a national advertising spot in January, which ultimately ended in a draw.

Twisting, Licking and Dunking Tradition

The DSRL is a fun activity that family and friends can enjoy together. The only real "equipment" needed is an Oreo Double Stuf cookie, a single glass of milk and someone to compete against. To start the race, each person twists their cookie open and licks off all the crème. Then, each person shows his or her cookie to their opponent, dunks it, eats it and drinks the glass of milk. The first to finish wins!

For more information on the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League and to become an official member, visit http://www.dsrl.com/ To get the turf, visit http://www.astroturfusa.com/

Major annoncement today from AstroTurf

Word is there will be a major announcment today from AstroTurf. Stay tuned for further details or visit www.astroturfusa.com

James Laurinaitis credits GameDay Grass with improving 40-yard dash time

He may be an All-American with a mantle full of awards earned during his four years at Ohio State, but linebacker James Laurinaitis still felt the need to impress scouts at Ohio State’s annual pro day on March 13.

Recent mock drafts have had the former Buckeye standout sliding to a late first round - if not second round - selection. While scouts and analysts will continue to debate Laurinaitis’ future until NFL draft in April, the 2007 Butkus Award is satisfied in knowing he did all he could to impress.

"It's been a long process, and I'm glad to be done," Laurinaitis said.

Laurinaitis’ stock dropped because of underwhelming numbers at the NFL combine in February. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, the three-cone drill in 6.93 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.24 seconds. He has slipped in several mock drafts since then. Scout.com recently ranked Laurinaitis the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 2 insider linebacker. Scout draft analyst Chris Steuber had the Minnesota native going to the New York Giants with the 29th overall pick.

A pair of NFL.com analysts have differing opinions of where Laurinaitis will be selected. Charles Davis has San Diego taking Laurinaitis with the 16th pick, while colleague Pat Kirwan has the 2006 Nagurski winner slipping all the way to the No. 27 pick and the Indianapolis Colts. Another analyst, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com, has Laurinaitis falling to the Tennessee Titans with the 30th pick. Rob Rang and Chad Reuter of NFLdraftscout.com have Laurinaitis falling out of the first round entirely.

Laurinaitis did what he could to improve his stock by posting faster times on pro day. His 40-yard dash time was reportedly between 4.72 and 4.78 seconds, an measurable improvement from his combine speed. He credited a faster surface at the Woody Hayes Center as one reason for his improvement.

"The combine had a soft, slow surface," Laurinaitis said of the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium. "The goal was to make all the times faster today. That was accomplished. I was happy with that."

The Buckeyes practice on a full-size infilled turf system from AstroTurf in the Woody Hayes Center. This years NFL combine was held at Lucas Oil Stadium on FieldTurf.

Lawrence Unified School District installing eight AstroTurf fields

Lawrence Unified School District (USD) selected GameDay Grass 3D by AstroTurf for eight district athletic fields. Installation of the new synthetic turf football, soccer, baseball and softball fields at Lawrence High School and Free State High School, is underway by GeneralSports Venue (GSV), the exclusive U.S. licensee of AstroTurf. In addition to the renovation of the athletic fields, GSV will install its XPLODE polyurethane competition track system and new tennis courts at Lawrence High School this summer.

Installation of turf for the football fields is completed, and work on the baseball fields is underway.

“There were a number of factors that proved GameDay Grass 3D was the best product for Lawrence USD,” said Tom Bracciano, division director of operations and facility planning. “The proprietary Root Zone aiding with traction, Sustain all rubber infill eliminating sand that hardens over time and scientific data on player performance and safety made it clear GameDay Grass 3D from AstroTurf was the best choice for our high schools and community.”

“We take great pride in having the opportunity to work with Lawrence Public Schools to provide innovative, durable and safe playing surfaces for the athletes and community groups to use,” said Mark West, GSV Director of Sales – Central Region. “Lawrence made it clear they wanted nothing but the best for all the new sports venues and we are proud they selected the GameDay Grass 3D system by AstroTurf.”

GSV is the approved synthetic turf and athletic supplier of the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and other nonprofits reduce the cost of purchased goods by pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. As a registered participant of U.S. Communities, Lawrence USD benefited from the variety and quality of products and services offered by GSV.

Work on the new football fields at each high school has wrapped up and installation of the turf for the baseball fields is in progress. All remaining elements of the project including the construction and installation of the track system and tennis courts will be completed this summer.

AstroTurf changes with the times

Raleigh firm predicts a 25 percent rise in sales this year despite recession

By David Ranii - Staff Writer

Not even the eruption of a public relations nightmare last year could derail the sales growth of GeneralSports Venue, the Raleigh company behind AstroTurf synthetic grass.

So it's no wonder that, despite the recession, CEO Jon Pritchett projects sales will rise 25 percent to $50 million this year.

It helps that GSV is in an industry that enjoyed 20 percent sales growth last year. That's due in part to improvements in the quality of artificial turf and prices that make it feasible for public schools and municipal parks to convert from natural to artificial grass. And many of the fields GSV is installing today were funded before the recession grabbed the economy by the throat.

In addition, the new federal stimulus package could help schools continue to invest in synthetic fields this year.

"I think the industry thinks this will be a difficult year, but it will still be a strong growth year," said Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, an industry trade group.

Pritchett, meanwhile, expects GSV to continue to outpace the industry through innovation and the introduction of new products – plus the company's anything-but-secret weapon.

"The AstroTurf brand gets us into a lot of doors," he said. "It gets people's attention."

The company also sells other products, such as antimicrobial coating for facilities such as locker rooms, and offers site preparation and construction management services for stadiums and other support venues.

GSV acquired the exclusive North American rights to the AstroTurf brand in 2006. Last fall, the company found itself on the defensive when New Jersey health officials announced the discovery of unsafe lead levels in three old AstroTurf fields. It triggered a media firestorm.

Those fields were installed before GSV licensed the brand, but so what?

"We weren't liable, but the brand was being attacked," Pritchett said.

So the company, which believed the products were safe but lacked the data to prove it, counter-attacked by hiring a team of scientists to study the issue. The results were released at a press conference in New York: The scientists concluded a child would have to eat 23 pounds of AstroTurf to be at risk.

That helped defuse the issue, which fizzled more in July when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that it had concluded that synthetic fields were safe for young children.

"It was quite a PR nightmare for 60 to 90 days," Pritchett said. "Our salespeople had to be educated on how to answer the issue. In every meeting, it was a topic."

But the strategy worked.

"We don't know of any projects that were canceled because of it," Pritchett said."

Last year, GSV's sales hit $40 million, more than one-third better than in 2007. Today the company has 43 employees, including 19 at its headquarters off of Capital Boulevard in North Raleigh.

AstroTurf is manufactured for GSV by Textile Management Associates. The Georgia company acquired the product when the previous owner, Southwest Recreational Industries of Texas, went bankrupt in 2004.

The typical cost of an AstroTurf field is about $325,000 to buy and install, plus $325,000 for engineering, which GeneralSports also offers. That's much more upfront than an all-natural field, but it makes maintenance easier and cheaper. Another synthetic advantage: Teams can practice daily without ruining the surface.

Universities that have purchased AstroTurf in the last year or so include Penn State, Cornell, Dartmouth, James Madison and Michigan State. Local customers include UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke, which installed field hockey surfaces, and Campbell University's football stadium.

GSV was formed in 2003 when a group of investors purchased a small turf installation business in Michigan. That group subsequently convinced Textile Management that it had the sales expertise to resuscitate the brand.

It then "re-launched" AstroTurf in 2006 with retired NFL quarterback Archie Manning -- the father of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning -- acting as its celebrity spokesman.

Since then, Pritchett said, the privately held company has separated itself from the pack to become the clear No. 2 in the industry behind the much larger FieldTurf.

"GSV has been a leader in the industry," Doyle said. "They have been an important innovator."

Among GSV's recent accomplishments:

A Michigan State University study presented at a conference last summer concluded that one variety of AstroTurf, GameDay Grass 3D, came closest to natural grass by one key safety measure. "It looks like [natural grass], it feels like it, it plays like it," said Pritchett.

Last May, a nonprofit that helps more than 30,000 government agencies, school districts and others pool their purchasing power named GSV its exclusive provider for artificial turf and other athletic surfaces. Pritchett estimated the contract accounted for 15 percent of AstroTurf sales last year and projects it will account for 20 percent or more this year.

GSV and athletic shoe maker Reebok announced in December a joint research and development project studying how footwear interacts with artificial turf. "It's basically to improve performance and safety," Pritchett said.

Last year the company cut a deal with a corporate partner that enabled it to sell its own brand of synthetic track surfaces, Xplode. It also became exclusive U.S. distributor for a maker of synthetic tennis and volleyball courts, and this year it will begin selling an automated tarp cover for natural grass fields.

Those deals are part of a diversification strategy that is anchored in the AstroTurf brand and the relationships GSV has forged with its customers.

"We want to be the one offering the newest, the best, the latest technology," Pritchett said.

GENERALSPORTS VENUE

HEADQUARTERS: Raleigh

CEO: Jon Pritchett

2008 REVENUE: $40 million

EMPLOYEES: 43, including 19 in Raleigh

YEAR FOUNDED: 2003

BUSINESS: Sells and installs AstroTurf brand artificial turf. Sells synthetic track and tennis court surfaces and antimicrobial coating for facilities such as locker rooms. Offers site preparation and construction management services for stadiums and other support venues.

Link to News & Observer

GSV Project in Lawrence "getting in shape"

The Free State High School Firebird is in place on the school’s newly turfed football field, and work on other athletic venues continues to progress in the Lawrence school district.

“It’s been an extremely aggressive schedule,” said Tom Bracciano, the division director of operations and facility planning for the district.

Free State and Lawrence high schools are both getting artificial turf soccer, football, softball and baseball fields. Lawrence High School will also get more parking and new tennis courts. If everything — including lights, bleachers and the parking — is done by the Aug. 15 deadline, the project will have been done in less than a year.

At Free State, existing fields are being renovated with the new turf, while much of the work at LHS involves building new facilities. Free State’s soccer team can use the school’s football field until its own pitch is completed.

“I think we’re in excellent shape,” said Bracciano. “It’s going to be a real tough push to get the baseball field here at Free State done by March 1. Football fields at both schools are right on target and soccer, the tennis courts, everything else is pretty well on track.”

The potential budget cuts from the state do not affect the capital outlay fund, which is paying for the new athletic fields.

“It’s also hard to explain to people that you could have capital projects going on ... in the case now, where we’re putting turf on some fields, that they are unaffected by these cuts because it’s two pools of money,” said Superintendent Randy Weseman. “There are actually two kinds of money in our business — the capital money and the general fund money.”

Bracciano says the project is fiscally responsible because ultimately the fields will save general fund money that would normally go to maintenance and utilities that were spent on grass fields.

“We’re hoping to relieve the pressure on the general fund, so really, for us, it works out real well to have these projects come along at this time,” he said. “These are being paid for with capital outlay dollars, which we can’t use for salaries or operational costs.”

Bracciano also notes the environmentally friendly aspect of going to turf.

“It’s (the turf) got the soy-based backing on it,” he said. “The biggest thing in my mind, too, is no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer.”

A package for lights should be presented to the board at its next meeting, Feb. 23. Bracciano says the district is also bidding out the bleachers for the fields.

At Free State, work is being done on leveling the baseball field and putting drainage in the soccer field. The softball field will not be touched until the season in over in May.

Lawrence High is getting ready to get turf on its football field and to relevel the softball field. Most of the underground retention for stormwater drainage is in place under the tennis courts at the Lawrence Virtual School site.

“We’ve had some excellent people to work with and it’s just come out beautiful,” said Bracciano.

Video

President Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office on AstroTurf 12

Shortly after noon, in front of millions of onlookers, on the steps of the Capital Building in Washington, D.C., Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office and officially became the 44th president and the first African-American to be elected.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered the oath as Obama's wife, Michelle, and daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, looked on.

Construction for the stage at the Capital began on September 24, 2008. The wooden platform can accommodate 1,600 people and was designed by the Architect of the Capital's Office.

The podium where President Obama took the Oath of Office and delivered his inaugural address was surrounded by blue, AstroTurf 12®, the latest generation of the all nylon turf that started the synthetic turf industry over 40 years ago.

GameDay Grass 3D goes down at Lawrence Free State

Crews at Free State High School took the first steps in revamping athletic facilities Tuesday as they started laying turf on the previously grassy football field.

This is the beginning of a project at Free State and Lawrence High School that will cost about $12 million to complete.
"It's been a while coming," said Tom Bracciano, the school district’s operations and facility planning director.

Lawrence High School is undergoing the same process, but Bracciano said that work is about a week behind.

"We hope to be finished with the football field by Jan. 20, then they'll move up to the baseball field,” he said.

The Free State field alone is costing near $890,000 to install. Bracciano said he'd originally hoped the field would be finished by Jan. 1, but the recent cold weather and snow had postponed the project.

"The ground's been frozen, and it's not really appropriate to put the turf down, so we got a little delayed by that, but they're still really making really good progress," Bracciano said.
After the football field, focus will shift to the baseball fields, then the soccer fields, followed by the softball field and tennis courts at Lawrence High School.

"Our goal is to have seven fields done by mid-April," Bracciano said.

Ole Miss Rebels surge past Texas Tech in Cotton Bowl

Ole Miss isn't just the team that handed Florida its only loss. These Rebels are seriously on the rise.

Behind Jevan Snead's passing, Dexter McCluster's squirming runs and some big returns by Marshay Green, No. 20 Ole Miss overcame an early deficit and beat No. 7 Texas Tech 47-34 Friday in the final Cotton Bowl played in the stadium of the same name.

The Red Raiders (11-2) converted a pair of early turnovers into a 14-0 lead, but Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives, followed by a go-ahead field goal shortly before halftime. Once Green returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Ole Miss (9-4) was well on its way to capping coach Houston Nutt's first season in grand style.

This was Ole Miss' sixth straight win, matching its longest streak since 2003, when Eli Manning was a senior. That also was the last time the Rebels had been to a bowl.
This roll began when Ole Miss was only 3-4 and coming off consecutive losses following its stunning upset at the Swamp.

Although Texas Tech pulled off huge comebacks in its last two bowls, McCluster ended any such thoughts by barreling into the end zone with 4:34 left. When Rebels fans finished clapping, they began chanting ``S-E-C! S-E-C!'' They did so again with 1:37 left after Ole Miss snuffed out a 2-point conversion attempt, then again following a recovered onside kick.

A little louder and the chants might've been heard at the Big 12 offices about 12 miles away. Still, the message that the fourth-best team in the SEC, according to the polls, is better than the third-best team in the Big 12 will certainly be noted as schools from these leagues - No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Oklahoma - meet next week in the national championship game.

The Red Raiders had a direct path to playing in that game until getting crushed by the Sooners in late November. At the time, they were unbeaten and ranked second, the highest mark in school history.

Getting drubbed in two of the last three games takes some shine off Tech's season, and kept senior quarterback Graham Harrell from going out with the school's record-setting 12th win.
Harrell's consolation was several statistical feats: most career touchdowns in major college football (four in this game made it 134 for his career, breaking the record of 131 set by Hawaii's Colt Brennan) and first player with two 5,000-yard passing seasons. Harrell was 36-of-58 for a Cotton Bowl-record 364 yards, giving him 5,111 yards this season. Only five other quarterbacks have cracked 5,000, including Brennan and two others from Texas Tech.

This was the 73rd Cotton Bowl and the last in its namesake home. The game is moving next year to the $1.1 billion stadium being built by the Dallas Cowboys. The bowl founder's widow handled the pregame coin toss and the dates 1937 and 2009 were painted on the field between the words, ``Celebrating 73 years.''

AstroTurf Statement Regarding AP Story

An article published on Dec. 18 by the Dallas bureau of the Associated Press has again raised questions about the safety of synthetic turf. The story focuses on nylon turf fibers, and mirrors an identical scenario that played out in New Jersey over the spring and summer which prompted an inquiry by the U. S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. On July 31, the CPSC concluded that based on materials testing and forensic toxicology, synthetic turf – including the nylon variety in question – poses no risk to human health under any reasonable circumstance. Yesterday’s article did not mention the CPSC report. All AstroTurf system fibers, including nylon RootZone® fibers, have been tested and evaluated for safety and pose no risk to the health of children or adults.


Every day throughout the U.S., children and youth, as well as collegiate and professional athletes, play football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and other sports on artificial turf. Parents, coaches and kids alike deserve to be fully informed about the research and science behind the safety of the materials used in these fields to avoid causing undue alarm among the many families whose children use them with regularity.

Please watch the video from our press conference on this issue in New York earlier this year

Attached below are links to the:

• CPSC statement


• CPSC report


• Statement from the Synthetic Turf Council


• Contents of the AstroTurf press conference held in May, 2008

Birdville ISD Superintendent addresses high lead levels in stadium’s turf

This week, many media outlets began reporting a story of high levels of lead found in the AstroPlay field turf at the Fine Arts/Athletics Complex (FAAC). Though the basis of the story is true, I want to take this opportunity to share with you additional information the media did not report.

BISD student-athletes consider themselves lucky when faced the the alternative hazards associated with real grass fields.

I want to begin by assuring you that individuals who have played on the field at the FAAC are not and have not been in danger of lead poisoning.

In recent laboratory tests, the district learned a portion of the field under the main playing surface contained lead levels above those set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on a child ingesting soil. Unfortunately, the EPA has not established any regulations or guidelines for artificial turf, so the testing company, TraceAnalysis, Inc., had to speculate on the levels. The report said, "Ingestion of a turf field does not occur at the rate of soil ingestion ..."

"Synthetic turf is, and has always been safe," Dr. Blair Leftwich, TraceAnalysis, Inc. director, shared with BISD. "In over 40 years of EPA oversight and OSHA regulated manufacturing, there is no scientific or medical evidence that synthetic turf poses a human health or environmental risk from lead." He also stated that with no EPA standards for synthetic turf, any conclusions on health risks are merely speculative.

Dr. David Black, forensic toxicologist with Aegis Sciences Corp., said, "a 50 pound child would have to ingest over 100 pounds of synthetic turf to be at risk of absorbing enough lead to equal the minimum threshold of elevated blood lead."

Dr. Davis Lee, Ph.D., Executive in Residence at the Georgia, Institute of Technology School of Polymer, Textile, and Fiber Engineering, said, "If a green synthetic turf field containing lead chromate is still green, then the lead chromate is still in the yarn. If the Chrome Yellow pigment had leached out, the field would likely be blue.'

We take this matter very seriously, and the safety of our students is our number one priority. Based on the information provided to the district, we do not believe there is any current risk since the lead levels in the uppermost fibers, the portion of the field that individuals are in contact, are well within acceptable range.

"Studies to date are insufficient to make a determination of human health effects," TraceAnalysis reported. In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said, "There is no indication that exposure to the turf could pose any harm. We are not recommending at all, communities shut down their playing fields."

BISD will continue to monitor the turf and will be proactive in addressing any issues associated with the continued safety for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Waddell



Link

McCallie Installing Artificial Turf At Spears Stadium

Artificial turf is coming to The McCallie School, but it won't be blue as in Boise State blue."We are the Big Blue here at McCallie, but the turf will look as close to natural grass as possible," McCallie athletic director Bubba Simmons said Friday.

McCallie plans to install AstroTurf's GameDay 3D Grass on the playing field at Spears Stadium. The GameDay 3D was recently ranked the closest to grass in a study at Michigan State University.

It has also received a two-star certification by FIFA Soccer.Construction crews are already taking topsoil from the field and moving it to the practice field west of the stadium to alleviate drainage problems there.

"It's supposed to go from the mud hole it is now to a finished product by February and ready for all our spring sports," Simmons said. "We simply needed a multi-purpose facility and the turf made sense."

It will make the field available for everybody from our sports teams to dorm competitions to summer camps. Spears Stadium is the focal point on campus and this will allow us to use it for a lot more of our needs."

In a recent article about the new turf at Joplin (Mo.) High School, Joplin Globe Executive Sports Editor Lance Ogden wrote, "The GameDay Grass Astro Turf 3D surface looks and feels like real grass, and the base under the synthetic turf appears to be good, old-fashioned soil.''"We've been to look at fields where this is installed," Simmons said.

"We feel this will be a great playing surface that will meet our multi-purpose needs."The football coaches and athletic directors we have talked to are extremely pleased with the surface and its durability. They also tell us that they are averaging fewer injuries as well, from minor to major."

The track will remain around the field at Spears Stadium."We just think the artificial turf enhances all our sports needs," Simmons said. "We are really excited and enthusiastic about it."

Reebok and GeneralSports Venue/AstroTurf Join Forces for First-Ever R&D Effort Focused on Footwear-Surface Interaction

Industry Leaders Seek Performance and Safety Gains for All Athletes

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Reebok and GeneralSports Venue, the exclusive U.S. licensee of the AstroTurf® brand of synthetic sports turf products, announced today that they are joining forces to study the interaction between athletic footwear and field surfaces for athletes ranging from professionals to amateurs.

The goal of the research collaboration is to help improve athlete performance and help reduce injury risk through the development of better shoes and synthetic sports surfaces. Reebok will spearhead footwear product development while GSV/AstroTurf will focus on synthetic sports turf. The AstroTurf brand was selected based on the advantages of its vertically-integrated manufacturing assets, including the scientific research, design and engineering used to produce sports turf that is among the most technologically advanced in the world.

“GSV/AstroTurf is clearly the leading innovator in synthetic turf, making them our first choice for this unique partnership,” said Don Gibadlo, Vice President of Cleated Footwear at Reebok.

“Instead of studying the interface between the cleats and surfaces already in use, we will be the first to test these products in the conceptual phase, helping us produce innovations that will enhance performance and safety for athletes in field sports at all levels around the world.”
The research effort will analyze footwear-surface interactions, on both synthetic turf and natural grass, for an evolving range of athletic dynamics and an array of athlete types, from NFL linebackers to NCAA soccer players and Little League outfielders.

“As a global leader in performance athletic footwear and the official supplier to several of the world’s elite professional sports leagues, Reebok is the ideal R&D partner,” said Chris Plunket, Senior Vice President of Operations for GSV/AstroTurf. “As industry leaders, it is our shared responsibility to improve both performance and safety, the top priorities of athletes, coaches and management at every level, by leveraging our collective expertise to put the products of the future on a fast track to the marketplace.”

The research will be conducted at various venues nationwide, including on a GameDay Grass 3D™ surface from AstroTurf recently installed at Reebok’s global headquarters in Canton, Mass., with state-of-the art equipment for mechanical and biomechanical testing. Until now, most shoe-surface interaction studies have used cleats and surfaces already on the market, focusing almost exclusively on the incidence of injuries as opposed to performance enhancement.

Reebok and GSV/AstroTurf

Lake Orion advances to Michigan State Championship Game

Lake Orion Dragons shutout Fordson 38-0 last Friday for the opportunity to face Rockford at Ford Field in the Michigan Division 1 Championship Game. Lake Orion will look to avenge their only loss this season, which was the opening game to Rockford.

Lake Orion’s second possession started after a Fordson fumble, recovered by Jared Lee at the Lake Orion 44. Nine plays later, Branden Oakes dove into the end zone from two yards away. Oakes added a 44-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter for a 21-0 Dragon lead at halftime.

The Dragons (12-1) scored in the second half on a three-yard run by Daniel Ney, a 26-yard field goal by Jeffrey Heath, and a 21-yard touchdown run by Marques Stevenson. Heath made all four extra-point kicks.

“We attacked, played aggressive,” said Lake Orion coach Chris Bell about the early lead. “For us to come out, shut them down and keep Fordson (12-1) off the board — I think that says a lot about our kids.

“Someone asked me Week 1 if I’d like to see Rockford again,” Bell added. “And I said I’d love to because that would mean we’re doing something good.”

Lake Orion High School has played their home games on GameDay Grass XPe from AstroTurf since 2005. The 90,325 sf GameDay Grass surface at Dragon Stadium is right next to another 92,000 sf GameDay Grass XPe soccer field.

Lake Orion High School is playing for its 1st State Championship in football and GSV/AstroTurf wishes the Dragons the best of luck!

Greeneville to host TSSAA Final Four on GameDay Grass 3D from AstroTurf

Greeneville High School advances to the Final Four of the TSSAA Playoffs after an exciting 35-28 double overtime win over the Sullivan South Rebels at Burley Stadium on Friday, November 21. Greeneville (11-2) will host the Maryville Rebels (13-0) on Friday, November 28, 2008, at 7:00 PM at Burley Stadium in Greeneville. It will be the second Final Four appearance for GHS, with the other coming in 2000, when Greeneville travelled to Maryville before losing 12-28.

Earlier this year, GameDay Grass 3D was installed at Burley Stadium. An advanced hybrid system which according to third party testing most closely replicates natural grass, GameDay Grass 3D utilizes a proprietary technology called Root Zone™, a simulated thatch layer at the base of the turf system that replicates the underlayer of root fibers and thatch found in natural grass. The density of the RootZone, providing stability, cushion and consistent performance over time, means that less granulated rubber infill is required, reducing the problems related to infill migration and “fly-out.”

Best of luck to the Greene Devils!

Learn more about Greeneville High School Football

Booker T. Washington High School routs Gulf Coast in FHSAA Class 4A Playoff game on GameDay Grass 3D

Torrence Moise completed 13 of 15 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns for Booker T. Washington as they beat Gulf Coast 55-32 in front of a crowd of 500 at Milander Stadium.

''When he's clicking, the offense's clicking,'' Booker T. Washington coach Earl Tillman Jr. said.
Booker T. totaled 429 yards on offense and advanced to play district runner-up Hallandale, which defeated Naples Barron Collier.

Naples Gulf Coast finished its season 7-4. Gulf Coast quarterback Jeff Schmidt passed for 211 yards, and rushed for 75 and two touchdowns. Shawn Normil led Gulf Coast with 100 rushing yards on nine carries and two touchdowns.

Gulf Coast totaled 406 yards on offense, but that didn't bother Tillman. His team was hampered by injuries, and freshmen and sophomores filled in.

''We tried to give all the kids and opportunity to play and played a lot of young guys so they can get some experience, especially during post season play,'' Tillman said.

Dwight Hopkins lead Booker T. Washington rushing with four carries for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Last season, Gulf Coast lost 49-0 to Booker T. But on Friday, it played tough enough to take an early lead. With Gulf Coast leading 7-0, Moise led Booker T. to touchdowns on the first five drives of the first half.

Booker T. tied the score with 7:32 left in the first half on Moise's 1-yard run. 6. Freshman kicker Angel McBoyle hit the first of seven extra points to make the score 7-7.

Booker T. took the lead to stay when Moise capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Quinton Dunbar to make the score 14-10 with 1:08 left in the quarter.
Booker T. scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 35-10 lead at the half.

Just seven seconds after the start of the second quarter, Booker T. defensive end Lynden Trail batted a pass by Schmidt, intercepted it and returned the ball to Gulf Coast's 4. Eduardo Clements scored on the next play to make the score 21-10 with 11:48 in the second.

Booker T.'s Willie Williams made the score 28-10 when he capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Moise threw his second touchdown pass, a 3-yarder, to give Booker T. a 35-10 lead.

Gulf Coast put up 22 points in the second half to make it interesting, but Booker T quarterback Jeremiah Hay completed 6 of 7 passes for 72 yards, including a touchdown pass Ricky Delancy that made the score 42-10.

Tony Gallon made it 48-24 with an 18-yard touchdown run with 5:24 left in the fourth. Hopkins' 61-yard touchdown run made the score 55-32.

Dawson's 56-yard FG the difference for Browns after Lindell's miss on MNF

Phil Dawson wasn't about to quit during Cleveland's latest fourth-quarter meltdown. Turned out, neither did the rest of the Browns.

With a confident nod to coach Romeo Crennel, Dawson went out and calmly hit a career-long 56-yard field goal with 1:39 left that sent Cleveland to a 29-27 win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night

Dawson's fifth field goal of the game capped a wild finish. The teams traded leads during a 46-second span in the final 2 1/2 minutes -- after the Browns appeared ready to squander a 13-point lead for the third straight week. And the game wasn't decided until Buffalo's Rian Lindell missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 38 seconds remaining, allowing Cleveland to run out the clock.

Suddenly, the Browns (4-6) have something to feel good about after they were on the verge of unraveling. Running back Jamal Lewis even questioned whether his teammates had quit during a 34-30 loss to Denver on Nov. 6.

"We got tired of what happened the previous two weeks, getting a lead and losing it in the fourth quarter," receiver Braylon Edwards said. "As a team, we rallied. We came together when we were supposed to and made the plays necessary to win."

Brady Quinn earned his first win in the second career start for the 2007 first-round draft pick. And the Browns' once porous defense -- which allowed 993 yards of offense in its previous two games combined -- held the Bills to 334 yards while generating four turnovers.

"You can't say enough," Crennel said. "The guys hung in there. They played as a team, and it was good enough on this night."

Give Crennel credit, too. Without hesitation, he made the decision to send Dawson out after the Browns' seven-play, 28-yard drive stalled at the Bills 39 after Edwards couldn't hold onto Quinn's pass at the right sideline on third-and-10.

"On the spur of the moment, you've got to be confident," Dawson said.

NFL.com Video Highlights

"So as soon as we threw the incomplete pass on third down, I was ready to go. I gave Romeo a nod, and he had the confidence to send me out there."

It was a better ending for Dawson, too. He missed a potential game-tying 54-yard field goal in the final minute of a 14-11 loss at Washington on Oct. 19.

It's the Bills (5-5) who now face questions about unraveling. They've lost four straight -- their longest skid since 2005 -- and five of six, looking nothing like the upstart team that opened the season 4-0.

Much of the blame for this loss falls on the shoulders of quarterback Trent Edwards, who threw three interceptions on his first four possessions, putting the Bills in a deep hole.

"It's frustrating right now. I don't really have any good answers," he said. "I'm frustrated with myself and the way I performed."

The miscues -- two poor reads and a pass tipped by defensive tackle Shaun Rogers at the line of scrimmage -- were an extension of the troubles Edwards had in his previous three games. Over a 10-quarter span, including the first quarter against Cleveland, he threw eight interceptions, lost two fumbles and gave up a safety.

Lindell took the loss much harder. He was emotionally upset and dejected as he spoke with reporters.

"Yeah, you have to make it. It's ridiculous," said Lindell, who was good from 26 and 31 yards. "I missed my line. You have to make those."

Suddenly, the Bills' chances of ending their eight-year playoff drought are in jeopardy. The team has fallen from first in the AFC East to last in the span of a month. And so much for the poise and confidence the team showed in securing three consecutive fourth-quarter comebacks earlier this season.

"It's not where we want to be, obviously," coach Dick Jauron said. "It doesn't feel like a free-fall, at least not to me. I can tell you, being around them, they hurt."

The loss spoiled a breakout game for running back Marshawn Lynch, who had a season-best 119 yards rushing and added a team-leading 58 yards receiving, including an 18-yard touchdown. Rookie Leodis McKelvin also scored on a 98-yard kickoff return, one play after Cleveland's Jerome Harrison scored on a 72-yard run that put the Browns up 23-13 to open the fourth quarter.

Josh Cribbs also scored on a 2-yard run for the Browns, and Edwards had 104 yards receiving.
"I can't say enough for this being a big win for our team," Quinn said. "We ended up winning in the end. It wasn't the way we wanted to, but a win is a win."

FHSAA Playoff Game to be played on GameDay Grass 3D

The Gulf Coast High School football team's first-round Class 4A playoff game against Miami-Washington on Nov. 21 will be played at Milander Stadium in Hialeah.

The site was released on the Florida High School Athletic Association site on Tuesday. Because not every high school in Miami has its own football stadium, games are usually rotated among multiple sites.

The game has a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Washington beat Gulf Coast, 49-0, in the first round en route to the state championship last year.

Ted Hendricks Stadium was the first installation of GameDay Grass 3D. Installed in 2007, Ted Hendricks Stadium hosts located in the heart of Hialeah, plays host to over 20 high school Football games, the Copa Latina Soccer Tournament, as well as, numerous special events throughout the year.

AstroTurf pays off for BCS Top 25

Six of the Top 25 teams in this weeks BCS Rankings practice or play on AstroTurf GameDay Grass.

Leading the way is #1 Alabama (10-0), who practice indoor on their GameDay Grass field in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.

#3 Texas (9-1) practices on their only synthetic football field at the Indoor Practice facility or "The Bubble" as the players call it.

#11 Ohio State (8-2) practices on a full-size AstroTurf GameDay Grass field in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

#15 Michigan State (9-2) practices on their GameDay Grass field indoors at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building across from Spartan Stadium.

#19 Florida State (7-2) practices on their only synthetic football field, which is marked identically to Doak Campbell Stadium.

#25 South Carolina (7-3) practices on their only synthetic football field, their GameDay Grass XPe field located in the USC Indoor Facility.

Undefeated Alabama clinches berth in SEC Championship Game

No. 1 Alabama (10-0, 6-0) got three interceptions from Rashad Johnson and a 1-yard quarterback sneak in overtime by John Parker Wilson Saturday to win 27-21 over No. 15 LSU (6-3, 3-3) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

The win clinches Alabama's first SEC Western Division title since 1999 and secures a berth in the 2008 SEC Championship Game.

Since 2002, the only synthetic turf the Crimson Tide have practiced on is AstroTurf GameDay Grass. The 110 yard field is located in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, which is fully heated and air- conditioned, allowing the Tide unlimited access no matter what the conditions are outside.