SCHOOLS WITH NEW ASTROTURF® FIELDS KICK OFF SEASON WITH VICTORIES

For several high schools around the country, this past weekend was special for a few reasons.

First, it marked the first game of the 2010 season. Second, it marked the opening game on brand new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf® fields. Finally, it was all topped off with a victory celebration.

“It’s great to see these schools come out victorious,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf®. “They made a commitment to install the finest playing surface on the planet, and it looks like they’ve also made a commitment to win.”

Baltimore area private school Calvert Hall College High School kicked it all off at Kelly Field with a victory over St. John’s D.C. 24-7. Calvert Hall was one of the first schools in the Baltimore area to have a synthetic turf field, but recently replaced the older surface thanks to a generous donation from Senator Francis X. Kelly.

In Missouri, Lee’s Summit West High School was victorious on the AstroTurf® in their first game. The Titans defeated Raymore-Peculiar by a score of 21-13.

Lovejoy High School christened the new field at Tara Stadium in Jonesboro, Georgia, with a victory over Mundy’s Mill by a score of 27-0.

Following a true test against a tough opponent, Pius X High School in Lincoln, Nebraska chalked up a victory. In a double-overtime thriller, the Thunderbolts completed a two-yard pass to defeat Omaha Gross 14-7.

Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Georgia, dedicated their new field Friday night with great expectations for the winners of two consecutive region championships. Down 19-16 to Adairsville, with a little over four minutes to play, the Panthers converted two touchdowns to come back and win 30-19.

Rome High School, another Georgia school now playing on AstroTurf®, opened on a new field with a new coach against a new high school and came out on top over John’s Creek High School 10-0.

Troy High School in Michigan cruised to an easy win over Romeo by a score of 31-7. Another Troy school, Troy Athens High School won its first home game in two years by defeating Warren Mott 31-19.

This weekend will mark even more debut games for schools with new AstroTurf® fields and, hopefully, they will all come away with a big win.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand 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 only 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. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with Root Zone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY INCREASES PLAYING TIME WITH NEW MULTI-PURPOSE ASTROTURF® FIELD

ALLENDALE, Michigan - With 19 varsity teams participating in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Grand Valley State University boasts over 24,000 students. And all of those students need a place to play.

Varsity sports usually get all the attention and publicity, but providing for the sports needs of the student body as a whole is a major focus at places like GVSU.

This fall, students will be using an all-new AstroTurf® field recently installed on the campus. The field will be utilized for soccer, rugby and lacrosse. The all new GameDay Grass™ that they will be playing on will benefit a growing number of students.

“We had 196 dedicated bookings with an average of about 50 people on the field before it was artificial,” said Scott Whisler, Project Manager at GVSU. “All 24,000 GVSU students will have access to the field, as well as camps for outside schools and organizations. With the new AstroTurf® field, playing time will be extended as far as daytime hours and longer seasons.

The Synthetic Turf Council has stated that most turf grass facility managers recommend a limit of 680-816 hours of use per year during a three-season window on natural grass fields. With synthetic turf, those fields can be utilized up to 3,000 hours per year without any downtime on the field.

Whisler also said that the old field didn’t drain well and weather was a factor, combined with wear-and-tear after heavy use. Lower maintenance and a safer playing surface for students were also major factors in necessitating a change.

When it came to the field surface, AstroTurf® was selected over several competitors in a competitive bid process.

“The GVSU design committee spent a lot of time evaluating and comparing several products and narrowed our product selections to three bidders, “said Whisler. “AstroTurf® was selected as a bidder because we were impressed with the manufacturing process, as well as the look and feel of the product. Positive references from the construction manager were also an influence.”

“We’re proud to partner with Grand Valley State University in this project,” said Rich Jordan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with AstroTurf®. “This is an opportunity to provide more access for more people on the finest playing surface available.”

So, while GVSU’s varsity teams work toward championship programs, the entire student body has won in the effort to create better recreational opportunities.


About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand 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 only 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. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with RootZone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

MULESHOE HIGH SCHOOL KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR WITH ASTROTURF®

To say that high school football in Texas is big is an understatement. To have played high school football in Texas is special and something one never forgets.

In the words of one of the fictional players from the movie “Friday Night Lights”, “It carries you forever.”

The memories of the players at Muleshoe High School will be cemented forever this fall as they take the field on the new AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™3D playing surface.

This year’s senior class carries an impressive record of 35-3, with a state championship in 2008, into the 2010 season. Their expectations for the 2010 season and the field are equally high.

In addition to expectations, there is a tremendous level of excitement.

“The kids are excited and the community is excited,” said Head Coach and Athletic Director David Wood. “We’ve played on a lot of turf fields, but none like this one.”

Wood said there were several reasons for selecting AstroTurf®.

First, according to Wood, there is a trend in Texas toward schools making the change to synthetic surfaces and they wanted the best product available.

Second, Wood says he expects fewer injuries. The NCAA conducted a study with schools across the country that compared injury rates between natural and synthetic turf. The injury rate in practice was 4.4% on natural turf, and 3.5% on synthetic turf. The rates during games were 11.5% and 11.4%, respectively. AstroTurf® has proven to be a safe surface and according to a Michigan State University study funded by NFL Charities, AstroTurf® performs most like natural grass.

Weather was another factor. Wood says that practices missed due to weather can set the program back in its development. AstroTurf® fields don’t have that problem.

Finally, location played a major role. The water table in the Texas panhandle is lower, so water usage to keep a field in pristine playing condition is limited. According to the Synthetic Turf Council, a well-maintained field can use 500,000 to one million gallons of water per year. AstroTurf® eliminates that need.

“We are proud to be partners with Muleshoe High School in providing this field for such a great team,” said Chad Feris, Director of Sales for AstroTurf®. “They are getting the best field on the market and we are looking forward to seeing the Mules achieve even greater success.”

The field and new track are expected to be completed in the next few days and Wood says he and his players can’t wait. As soon as the field is complete, he plans to have the Mules practicing on the surface for their next state championship.

The road to that title begins the last week in August and the Mules will play on their new AstroTurf® field for the first time against Portales, New Mexico, on September 6th.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand 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 only 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. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with RootZone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

Mount Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania Gets Fourth AstroTurf® Field in 37 Years

At Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, the athletic directors don’t measure their tenure in years served, but in the number of AstroTurf® fields their teams have played on.

For 37 years, Mount Lebanon football players have played on AstroTurf ® surfaces. That makes the Blue Devils one of the longest running relationships with AstroTurf® in the world of high school sports.

The latest incarnation of the field, and the fourth in school history, has just been installed and will be ready for action as the Blue Devils take the field against Pine-Richland on September 3rd.

The field is GameDay Grass™ and includes a unique combination of AstroTurf® diamond and horseshoe monofilament fibers designed by AstroTurf® to meet the specific needs of Mount Lebanon.

John Grogan, Athletic Director, has been at Mount Lebanon for 10 years and is excited about being there for his second AstroTurf® field, the most state-of-the-art field on the market.

“We’ve always had AstroTurf® fields,” said Grogan. “But a new field always creates excitement with the kids, the coaches and the community.”

Despite the history, AstroTurf® wasn’t a sure-thing. According to Grogan, the committee looked at several manufacturers, but ultimately chose AstroTurf® as the best option for the kids.

“We looked at every option,” said Grogan. “We looked at the fibers, infill, backing, safety issues and more. Everything, even the size of the fibers, made a difference.”

The new field also provides growth opportunities for the program.

“This is a quality product,” said Grogan. It’s extremely safe, it adds to the performance of our young athletes and it adds to their enjoyment of the game. That will cause our program to grow and see continued success.”

The success of Mount Lebanon is equally important to the people at AstroTurf®

“We are partners,” said Shamus Petrucelli, the AstroTurf® sales representative for Pennsylvania. “Over 37 years and four football fields, Mount Lebanon has selected our product as the best the industry has to offer. That is testimony to the commitment to excellence we have as a company and they have as a school. It’s a great partnership.”

It’s also a partnership Petrucelli hopes to see carried on for another 37 years.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand 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 only 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. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with RootZone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

JOI PHILPOTT SERVES AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR ASTROTURF®

Joiava (“Joi”) Thomas Philpott serves as General Counsel for AstroTurf®, the inventor of and leader in synthetic athletic and landscape turf. She advises on intellectual property matters, business litigation, operations, manufacturing, international transactions and employment law.

In her position with AstroTurf®, Ms. Philpott deals with issues impacting a wide range of AstroTurf® customers including the St. Louis Rams, Major League Baseball and The Wynn in Las Vegas.

Prior to joining AstroTurf®, Ms. Philpott was Corporate Vice President and Senior Counsel at Charter Communications, where she oversaw compliance of franchise assets exceeding $9 billion. She graduated magna cum laude from Hampton University with a B.S. in business management. She then earned a J.D. and M.B.A. from American University. Most recently, Ms. Philpott completed an Executive Education Program at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.