ASTROTURF FIELD AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER CALLED THE BEST EVER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Their assistant coaches will be:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ASTROTURF AND NFLPA PARTNER FOR COLLEGIATE BOWL GAME

(LOS ANGELES, California) - AstroTurf and the NFL Players Association convened this week in Los Angeles to discuss the upcoming AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star game showcasing the talents of draft-eligible collegiate players.

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith made no bones about the importance of the event.

“It didn’t take us long,” said Smith, of the decision to host the game. “If an athlete has the talent, drive, and will to go to the next level, why wouldn’t we provide that young man with an opportunity to showcase his talents?”

Smith said the new 10-year labor peace “provides us with an opportunity to move forward in the way we address, deal with, and prepare” players looking to play at the NFL level.

He also cited AstroTurf for “sharing our vision in protecting and preparing athletes.”

Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf, said there were 30-year industry veterans who would be shaking their heads in wonder because “AstroTurf and the NFLPA are up here on stage together arm-in-arm.”

Peeples said the NFLPA chose to partner with AstroTurf after visiting their Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and people, as well as the Center for Athletic Field Safety at the University of Tennessee, which is funded by AstroTurf.

“Our platform going forward, as it has been in the past, is for safety,” said Peeples.

Willie McGinest, a 15-year NFL veteran who has three Super Bowl ring to his credit, echoed those sentiments.

“I came into the league in 1994,” said McGinest. “Our union and AstroTurf have made great strides since then. It’s a unique and great marriage.”

Matthew Hatchette, who played eight years in the NFL, cited AstroTurf and the NFLPA for hosting this game and providing an opportunity for players to make it to the NFL.

Hatchette attended Langston University, where he said only two scouts came to see him play. He also said he had to make his own highlight films and be persistent in making calls and writing letters before getting his shot at a professional career. He said the game provides a perfect opportunity for players from smaller schools and those that are late bloomers, physically.

The game will take place on January 21st at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. The Home Depot Center is a world-class facility with several sporting venues, including a 27,000-seat stadium which is home to the LA Galaxy professional soccer team.

The new AstroTurf field was installed in only six days, and features new AstroBase technology, a series of 15,000 structural panels, which provide the base system for the field.

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

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

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

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

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

The field will be used next weekend to host all five state championship football games of the California Interscholastic Federation. It will also host a number of other sporting events before being removed in February and being made available for sale to a school or organization looking to utilize a state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface.

The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be broadcast on NBC Sport Network, which will be rebranded from Versus on January 2nd.

The teams will be coaches by NFL coaching legends Dick Vermeil and Tom Flores. The two last faced each other in Super Bowl XV. Flores’ Oakland Raiders defeated Vermeil’s Philadelphia Eagles 27-10.

The night before the game, the NFLPA will host their annual PULSE Awards at Club Nokia at LA Live. Some of the celebrity presenters will include Joe Manganiello, Ed Asner, Jaime Pressly, Holly Robinson Peete and Hill Harper. The event will honor many active and former NFL players.

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