ALABAMA STATE TO DEBUT NEW ASTROTURF FIELD ON THANKSGIVING DAY

(MONTGOMERY, Alabama) - The world’s oldest game between Historically Black Colleges and Universities kicks off on Thanksgiving Day on the newest AstroTurf field in college football.

The 89^th Turkey Day Classic will pit Alabama State against Tuskegee at the all new Hornet Stadium on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. CST.

Over the past week, the Hornets have been preparing for the debut of the new stadium by practicing on the new AstroTurf field.  There is a different kind of excitement in the air and practice has taken on an almost game day atmosphere.  Players have been a bit wide-eyed and in awe of the new 26,500-seat, $62 million stadium, which is part of a $600 million, 5-phase master plan for the university that will be complete in 2035.

The stadium features a new look, new lighting, 20 suites, club seating, party terraces, multiple locker rooms, and many more features.  Ultimately, the field is where the work of the Hornets gets done, and it was a key component in the stadium project.

"When we were looking at the stadium, and all the nice things we were putting in the stadium, the surface was definitely the most important,” said Alabama State Head Coach Reggie Barlow.  “We wanted something that would be great for game day and also durable, so we decided on Astroturf.  I've been blessed to play and coach on several different surfaces. This is by far the best I've ever seen."

Alabama State University is located in Montgomery and has been in existence since 1867.  The Hornets have been playing football since 1901.  ASU has an enrollment of about 5,600 students.  With the addition of the new stadium and the other campus projects, that will definitely change.

“The vision of the ASU administration and their commitment to all facets of university life is a tremendous thing for this university,” said Rusty Russell of AstroTurf.  “Athletically, the addition of the AstroTurf field provides a number of benefits.  They now have a more consistent and durable playing surface that leads to better performance.  It’s a great looking field and helps build support for the program, which leads to more successful recruiting efforts.  This field and this new stadium will also have an effect on student enrollment and the continued growth of the storied tradition of Alabama State.”

From a performance standpoint, the make-up of the AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D52H 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 52 ounces of fiber per square yard, one of 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 features a texturized nylon RootZone.  The patented RootZone acts as a thatch layer that encapsulates the rubber infill to provide minimal rubber splash, uniform traction, and better shock absorbency.  

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.  

Specifically, the study discovered that the greatest reduction in torque (the twisting force that contributes to lower limb injuries) was achieved with AstroTurf’s RootZone.  The researchers attributed this statistically significant finding to the fact that AstroTurf required less infill to stabilize the turf system.  With less rubber, the AstroTurf system resisted infill compaction that could lead to cleats locking into the playing surface and exerting excessive torque on lower limbs. 

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. 

The AstroTurf surface is backed with soy-based polymers, which are polyurethane polymers manufactured with a portion of the polyol derived from the soybean plant, a renewable resource.  A typical AstroTurf field will use a significant amount of soybeans for its coating, which helps support the 600,000 soybean farmers in the United States.

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 Alabama State University football team.  The first test for the 7-3 Hornets will be the 9-1 Golden Tigers.

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GETTING NEW ASTROTURF FIELD

(CORDOVA, Tennessee) - Geoff Walters, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, knows a thing or two about balance and adjustment.

He’s been doing it as long as he can remember.  The former QB at Valdosta State University, transferred to Samford prior to his senior year, when Coach Terry Bowden took over the program.  Samford also had a successful QB named Jimbo Fisher, who is now the head coach at Florida State.

“When I saw him throw, I knew I needed to find a new position,” said Walters.

Walters moved to tight end, where he had a good senior season.  Balance and adjustment.

Most recently, Walters was hired at ECS in 2010, and has been tasked with building and maintaining a top high school sports program in a very competitive market and coaching a football team which has a tradition of winning.  After arriving, he started the ball rolling on getting a new synthetic turf playing field at the school, as well as number of other athletic renovations and additions.  

If all that weren’t enough, his oldest daughter, Tommi Lynn, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year.

The University of Alabama student had choked on an almond and scratched her throat.  Following physician visits to an ENT and a thyroid specialist, she was diagnosed.  After having her thyroid removed and undergoing radioactive iodine therapy, Tommi Lynn was given a clean bill of health last month.

“It was a challenging time,” said Walters.  “Through a lot of prayer and God’s grace, everything is fine.”

Walters attributes maintaining the athletic programs at ECS to his tremendous staff, saying they took the reins and handled things during his absences to be with Tommi Lynn during treatments in Birmingham.

Again, balance and adjustment.

Walters is back at the helm, driving the new athletic construction projects with a determination enhanced, in part, by Tommi Lynn.  Doctors removed her thyroid on a Friday morning.  She was back in class at Alabama on Tuesday morning.

This week, Walters has been keeping watch over the installation of a brand new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf system at Legends Field.

Walters said that the synthetic surface became necessary as a result of the growing athletic needs of the school.  In 2011, there were 44 games played on the natural grass surface at Legends Field.

“You can imagine what it looked like after all those games,” said Walters.

The coach began putting out feelers about synthetic turf and shortly he was contacted by Keith Bonnell of AstroTurf, an old teammate from their days on the gridiron at Valdosta State.  The two hadn’t talked in 20 years.

“We researched a lot of synthetic turf,” said Walters.  “In the end, we knew that AstroTurf was the best product and we also had a great deal of comfort and trust in dealing with Keith and the people at AstroTurf.”

Walters said it was great to rekindle his old friendship and work with someone like Bonnell, but added that Bonnell played a pivotal role in his personal life, as well.  During Tommi Lynn’s struggle with cancer, Bonnell had his church youth group and entire church family in Georgia praying for her healing and recovery.

“Keith and a lot of people prayed for Tommi Lynn,” said Walters.  “We are big believers in the power of prayer.”

Now, months later, Tommi Lynn is working toward a degree in nursing and Bonnell and an installation crew from AstroTurf are putting the AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 Xtreme surface in place.  The surface combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product.  

The Horseshoe fiber has a shape like its namesake, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer.  It also reflects less light and heat.  That, in combination with AstroFlect heat reduction technology, can lower surface temperatures by as much as 18%.

The slit film offers the ultimate in durability.  The field features 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, the highest in the industry.  This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

The field will also have a 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.

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. 

“We’re getting the Cadillac of synthetic turf systems,” said Walters.  “We have great people and a great program.  Now we’re going to have the best facilities.”

“Coach Walters is a great man and ECS is a great school,” said Bonnell.  “This is a project that will make a difference in the lives of lots of people.  Professionally and personally, it’s made a huge difference in mine.”

The athletic project also includes a new press box, seating and a storage building at the track, lighting for the baseball field, as well as the possibility of new tennis courts.

Rex Jones, Director of Advancement for ECS, has guided the process for the new facilities.

“God’s grace has been great for the past 46 years at ECS,” said Jones.  “We had a donor who believed in our school and its mission and wanted to contribute.  When he did that, it just exploded.  This is a great marketing tool for our school and we are thankful AstroTurf has been there to help.”

He said the addition of the field will take the most protected two acres on the 40-acre campus and make it available five-and-a-half days a week, 24 hours-a-day to the football team, soccer team, lacrosse team, and other teams from both the middle and upper school.

“It’s going to expand the reach of our athletic program and our school, in general,” said Jones.

Jones’ son Barrett played at ECS and was this year’s Outland Trophy winner and starting tackle for the University of Alabama’s BCS National Championship team.

“I think the new AstroTurf field is an awesome addition.  I wish I could have played on it,” said the younger Jones.  “I know the AstroTurf fields play great, last a long time, and are always ready to go.  I believe it will help bring in more students and help the success of the ECS athletic program.  My brother will be a senior there next year, so he will get to experience it.”

The new field will be ready in the next few weeks and will host the ECS Eagles football team as they kick off the 2012 season.

Coach Walters will lead the team, seeking to claim another state title to add to those won by the team in 1983, 1999, 2000, and 2005.  

He plans to remain a coach and athletic administrator for a long time to come, but says that when that chapter passes, he’ll be coming to work for AstroTurf.

Balance and adjustment.

#2 Alabama prepares for undefeated Kentucky

The University of Alabama football team began preparations for Saturday’s game with Kentucky on Monday afternoon with a two-hour practice.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about another challenging Southeastern Conference game on Saturday against another undefeated team that ranks first nationally in scoring defense and kickoff returns.

“They are maybe the best defensive team in the country,” Saban at his weekly press conference on Monday. “They are certainly first in scoring defense. They have a lot of guys back from last year’s team. They are physical, they play with toughness, and they make good sound adjustments in what they do. Obviously giving up five points a game they are hard to score on which makes you a good defensive team.

“Offensively they have done a nice job controlling the ball. Their new quarterback, (Mike) Hartline has done a good job of managing the offense, keeping them in the right place and have them doing the right things. Their offensive line is good. They have been able to run the ball effectively against everybody they have played against. They have shown the capabilities of beating good teams in beating LSU when they were No. 1 last year.

“They are very good on special teams. (Dicky) Lyons is a good punt returner and is their leading receiver and they lead the conference in kickoff returns. This is going to be a challenging game for us. It is no different than the game we just played relative to maintaining intensity in terms of your mental energy, not only in how you play the game but how you prepare to play the game and get ready to play the game.”

Alabama and Kentucky will meet this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports.

The Crimson Tide are one of four SEC teams to practice on GameDay Grass from AstroTurf in their indoor facilities. The Tide installed AstroTurf in 2002 at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, giving them a state-of-the-art playing surface available anytime, regardless of weather.

After a recent practice on the AstroTurf surface, Alabama QB John Parker Wilson said "I thought we had a pretty good practice, the energy was good and I think practicing inside was a plus to change it up a little bit,"