EUROPEAN HOCKEY FEDERATION RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASTROTURF

AstroTurf has renewed its partnership with the European Hockey Federation for four years. The announcement was made at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association annual convention in Philadelphia. It shows the commitment by these two great organizations in developing the sport around the world and continues to show that AstroTurf is the world's number one surface for the sport of field hockey.

What follows is the text of the release by the European Hockey Federation:


For 17 years AstroTurf has been a key partner of the European Hockey Federation. EHF announced today a further 4 year agreement with the world’s leading supplier of hockey pitches.

Bryan Peeples, President, AstroTurf and R.David Balbirnie of EHF signed the new partnership at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association annual awards banquet held in Philadelphia, USA, before a record 650 attendees.

“This is another historic day in the long and ongoing relationship between AstroTurf and EHF”, said Sjouke Tjeerdsma, Managing Director of AstroTurf Europe. “We are proud and honored to be affiliated with an organization that has done so much for the advancement of our sport. Together, we commit to improving and growing the game.” “AstroTurf is the player’s choice at the highest levels” said Michel Lootens, a former Belgium International player and part of the AstroTurf Europe team.

“Making this announcement here at the NFHCA convention shows our continued support of Field Hockey in the US, Europe and around the world.” Said Peeples. AstroTurf renewed its relationship with NFHCA in January of 2011 for an additional 5 years.

AstroTurf, the inventor of synthetic turf is one of the most iconic brands in hockey -- as legendary as the players who have competed on it! The brand that changed the way the game is played is still the surface most requested by players at the highest levels.

AstroTurf is the first synthetic turf brand with true vertical asset integration, ensuring that every inch of product meets and exceeds the highest standards of performance, quality and durability. With over 40 years of experience and 160,000,00square feet of turf installed worldwide, AstroTurf brings more technological expertise and real world know-how to the game than any other brand.

Today, AstroTurf products benefit from proprietary innovations in manufacturing, extrusion, installation and recycling that are outpacing industry trends.

Marijke Fleuren, President of the EHF said “I would like to personally thank Bryan Peeples, President AstroTurf for its continuing support of the EHF. Your loyalty, in these financially difficult times confirms your commitment to hockey. As an Executive Board, we recently re-affirmed our commitment to hockey in Europe and passion is the brick that binds us all together, there is no doubt that Bryan and his team in AstroTurf are equally driven by a passion to be the best and to provide the best products for the players.”



Pictured at the recent signing in Philadelphia were:

John Burke, AstroTurf; Andy Belles, AstroTurf; Pam Hixon, AstroTurf; R.David Balbirnie, EHF; Bryan Peeples, AstroTurf; Michiel Lootens , AstroTurf Europe; Sjouke Tjeerdsma, AstroTurf Europe; Kris Goossens, AstroTurf Europe.

RICHMOND SPIDERS FIELD HOCKEY TEAM GETTING NEW ASTROTURF

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – Crenshaw Field at the University of Richmond is getting a facelift with a new AstroTurf® System 12 field.

While Crenshaw Field serves many of Richmond’s athletic teams for practice, the Spiders field hockey team plays its home games there. The team is gaining a reputation as one of the premier teams in the country and will benefit from the new field surface.

“In our economic times, putting in a top water-based turf product might seem out of reach for many athletic budgets,” said Richmond Head Coach Gina Lucido. “AstroTurf® was able to come to the table and meet all of my needs to install an elite playing surface. I am thrilled the Richmond field hockey program will benefit from the installation of AstroTurf® in Fall 2011, and many years to come. I look forward to the collaboration between AstroTurf® and my staff and their commitment to lasting excellence.”

Lucido will be entering her fifth year at the helm of the Richmond field hockey program. While at Richmond, she has built a successful program which will be a contender in NCAA field hockey in years to come.

In her second year as head coach, Lucido advanced to the Atlantic 10 title game. In 2009, the Spiders won the Atlantic 10 regular season championship and the Atlantic 10 tournament championship. The Spiders advanced to the NCAA tournament and finished with a national ranking of 19th.

Lucido was a standout player at Ball State University, where she was also an Academic All-American. In February 2006, Lucido was inducted into the Ball State University Hall of Fame.

She began her coaching career at Bucknell University, aiding both field hockey and lacrosse programs. Lucido then spent time at Susquehanna University coaching field hockey and lacrosse before joining the start-up program at Indiana University. During her six-year career as an assistant field hockey coach at Indiana, Lucido helped guide the Hoosiers to an NCAA Final 8 appearance in 2005.

The new field will be an AstroTurf® 12 synthetic turf system. The field will be engineered with a premium knitted nylon system designed to provide uniform traction and consistent footing. It will improve playability when it is wet and absorbs water to maintain wet conditions longer.

AstroTurf® 12 systems were first used in an international field hockey event in 1975 in Montreal. The same field hosted the Olympics in 1976. Since then, they have become the preferred surface for field hockey events around the globe.

AstroTurf® surfaces were also used in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The AstroTurf® 12 system has also seen play in the Pan Am games, World Cup and numerous other field hockey events. The U.S. National team trains on AstroTurf® in Chula Vista, California, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Also, a new AstroTurf® 12 system is used by the University of Maryland, 2011 NCAA Division I Champions. To date, all NCAA Division I National Championships have been played on AstroTurf® fields. The 2011 event will be held at the University of Louisville, on a new AstroTurf® 12 surface just like the ones the Spiders will be playing on.

“Gina is an outstanding coach and the program is gaining momentum,” said Pam Hixon, hall of fame field hockey coach and Field Hockey Ambassador for AstroTurf®. “With momentum come increased expectations. Having a championship AstroTurf® field will help the Spiders exceed those expectations under Coach Lucido.”

The Spiders will begin their 2011 campaign at home against James Madison University, on September 17th.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand has redefined the way the game is played. AstroTurf® offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport, and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging a vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities select AstroTurf®-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com. You can also check out AstroTurf® on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AstroTurf/124352067595110.

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS FIELD HOCKEY TEAM SELECTS ASTROTURF AT TRAGER STADIUM

(LOUISVILLE, Kentucky) - The University of Louisville is gaining a reputation as a world-class program under a new world-class coach. In 2011, the Cardinals will play on a new world-class AstroTurf® surface.

The Cardinals, under first-year head coach Justine Sowry, were 13-7 and ranked 14th in the nation in 2010.

The program will also get a boost this year when they host the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championships for the fourth time since 2002 at Trager Stadium.

“As the new head coach, the installation of the new AstroTurf® is exciting for us,” said Justine Sowry, head coach of the Louisville field hockey team. “This is a new chapter for our program and a chance to establish our own culture, vision, and goals. Part of that comes from having the best facilities in the country and a tremendous step in that direction is having a world-class field.”

Sowry, a native of Australia, previously coached for four years at the University of Massachusetts, where she won three Atlantic 10 Championships and made three NCAA appearances. Sowry was at Louisville as an assistant coach from 1998-2002. She has also been an assistant at Stanford University and for the U.S. National Team.

As a player, Sowry was a member of the Australian National Team and made 128 international appearances. She represented Australia from 1993-2001, and won gold medals in the World Cup in 1994 and 1998.

In her experience as a player and coach, she has been all over the world. Sowry says she played predominantly on AstroTurf® and believes that is the only choice for a great field because it is proven and tested at all levels. She knows it will benefit her team in preparation and games, as well as how it will affect Louisville’s reputation.

“This new field and hosting the NCAA Championships will highlight our program in Division I field hockey circles,” said Sowry.

Sowry and the Cardinals’ program are truly on the move.

“Justine was a great player and is a great coach,” said Pam Hixon, a field hockey hall-of-famer, is a legendary coach and is currently the Field Hockey Ambassador for AstroTurf®. “With her coaching ability, the talent of the Louisville team, and having the finest AstroTurf ® field, means that the Louisville program is on its way to the top.”

Construction is underway on the new AstroTurf® field and will be completed by June 1st.

The field will be an AstroTurf® 12 synthetic turf system. The field will be engineered with a premium knitted nylon system designed to provide uniform traction and consistent footing. It will improve playability when it is wet and absorbs water to maintain wet conditions longer.

“We have a strong program with a very high-profile facility,” said Pete Cautilli, Associate Athletic Director at Louisville. “AstroTurf® 12 is recognized as the industry leader for field hockey playing surfaces. For us, that was the logical choice.”

Upon completion, the field will be utilized for camps and training. The first home game of the year will feature the Cardinals taking on California on August 26th. The 2011 schedule will find the Cardinals facing seven of the Top 20 teams in the country and six teams which participated in the 2010 NCAA Championships. Louisville will play nine home games at Trager Stadium.

The NCAA Championships will take place on the new AstroTurf® at Trager Stadium in November. The semifinals will be held November 18th and the finals will take place on November 20th.

The installation of the new AstroTurf® field is currently underway and you can watch it live at www.astroturfusa.com.


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.

ASTROTURF PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL FIELD HOCKEY COACHES ASSOCIATION

(DALTON, GA) - It’s never been a secret that AstroTurf® is the preferred surface for field hockey pitches around the world.

Now, at least from a coaching perspective, it’s official.

In an announcement from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, AstroTurf® has been named the Official Artificial Surface Provider of the organization.

“We’re excited about our partnership with AstroTurf®,” said NFHCA Executive Director Jenn Goodrich. “There is no other surface to compare with AstroTurf® System 12. AstroTurf® fields are durable and consistent, just like the company that makes them. Their fields outperform other fields and those are the kinds of partnerships which help the development of our great sport.”

The NFHCA serves field hockey coaches and supporters across the United States. Its goal is to stimulate the professional development of coaching leadership. It also serves as a presence and voice regarding legislative matters of the sport, as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.

AstroTurf® was first used in an international field hockey event in 1975 in Montreal. The same field hosted the Olympics in 1976. AstroTurf® surfaces also played host to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Closer to home, AstroTurf® surfaces are utilized by all the elite collegiate field hockey teams. In fact, last fall, the University of Maryland, under coach Missy Meharg, captured the NCAA title on a new AstroTurf® pitch.

“I can’t remember the last time an NCAA Division I Championship was not played on AstroTurf®,” said Pam Hixon, NFHCA Hall of Fame coach and Field Hockey Ambassador for AstroTurf®.

Hixson, who is heavily involved with the development of the sport, believes the partnership between the NFHCA and AstroTurf® is a valuable one.

“I am member of the NFHCA and a part of the AstroTurf® organization,” said Hixon. “The NFHCA is committed to the development and growth of the sport. From an AstroTurf® standpoint, a premier pitch is a tremendous part of growing young athletes and competitive programs. This is going to have a huge impact on our sport.”

AstroTurf® System 12 pitches are made of a short-pile, knitted nylon product which conform the sport’s need for high degrees of planarity, extremely tight tolerances, and sophisticated drainage systems. AstroTurf® System 12 pitches provide uniform traction and consistent footing. The fibers are UV-resistant, have a low-glare surface, and reduce the need for watering and maintenance costs.

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.

2009 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Set, Every game to be played on AstroTurf

The field for the 2009 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship is now set and once again, it is dominated by teams that train and play on AstroTurf®. 15 of the 16 teams that will compete for the National Championship play their home games on AstroTurf 12®, the premium surface for field hockey in the world.

In addition, every game of the 2009 Tournament will played on AstroTurf 12™, including the Final Four and Championship games at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium.
The facility houses permanent seating for nearly 4,000 spectators as well as a press box, upper-level viewing area, restrooms, lights, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, and concession facilities in addition to the state-of-the-art AstroTurf 12 surface that was installed in 2004.

AstroTurf 12™ is a short-pile, knitted nylon product recognized worldwide as the preferred surface for field hockey pitches, which require high degrees of planarity, extremely tight tolerances and sophisticated drainage systems. Endorsed by the International Field Hockey Federation (FIH) and USA Field Hockey, AstroTurf 12™ provides uniform traction and consistent footing, is UV resistant, has a low-glare surface and reduces watering and maintenance costs. AstroTurf 12™ has a storied reputation as the best surface, bar none, for field hockey. It started in the summer of 1976 in Montreal at the Olympics and for decades, from Argentina to Europe, from the Indian Subcontinent to South Africa – and throughout the U.S. and Canada – AstroTurf has been the surface of choice for hockey clubs, school programs, tournaments and organizations.

The NCAA Division I Field Hockey Committee announced the field of 16 teams for the 2009 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship on Tuesday. Five conferences were awarded automatic qualification. In addition, six conferences competed for three play-in berths and the remaining eight teams were selected at large.

The following conferences and their representatives received automatic qualification:

Atlantic Coast Conference - University of Maryland, College Park
Big East Conference - University of Connecticut
Big Ten Conference - Michigan State University
Colonial Athletic Association - University of Delaware
Ivy Group - Princeton University

The teams winning the play-in berths were American University from the Patriot League, the University of Richmond from the Atlantic 10 Conference and Stanford University from the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference.

In 2008, Maryland claimed its sixth NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship title with a 4-2 victory over Wake Forest at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

Click here to follow the 2009 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament

Field hockey experiences differences on turf

By Jocelyn Syrstad
Collegian Staff Writer

As sophomore midfielder Daneen Zug passed the ball to teammate Jessica Longstreth Wednesday against Princeton, a spray of water came up from the field when her stick slid across the surface.

However, it hadn't rained in State College in several days.
The Penn State field hockey team plays on an Astroturf field, which is an artificial or synthetic turf that is water-based. Before every game, and often during halftime, the maintenance crew at AstroTurf Field turns on two giant water hoses to soak down the field before the team competes on it.

Penn State coach Char Morett said watering the field helps athletes with their footing because the surface is spongy, meaning it will give and they won't get stuck in the turf. She also said the water helps prevent the ball from skipping, making all passes possible on the field.

"It sorta gives you the best of both worlds," Morett said. "You can do good, hard passes if that's what you're looking for, or you can pace the ball down the field because it's absorbing a little bit of water. This field allows you to do both because of the water."

The Nittany Lions play on the highest quality of Astroturf available to athletics, a Grade A turf or a regulation water-based turf. This is the only type of surface major field hockey events can be played on, such as the NCAA tournament and international matches.

Since the ball is usually on the ground in field hockey games, a smooth surface is required to keep the ball rolling. On a grass or field turf surface (which contains rubber pellets), the ball will get caught up in divots making the players come over the top of it when they try to make a pass. The smoothness of the turf accelerates the pace of the game as well.

"It's a lot faster," freshman midfielder Longstreth said. "Your stick moves a lot easier meaning you can hit balls quicker."

For the majority of the Penn State team, the first turf field they saw was at the collegiate level. Junior midfielder Amy Bonenberger said unless you played on a club team or your high school team made it to the playoffs, you played on a grass field. She said some fields she played on at the high school level were terrible, sometimes even in pastures full of weeds and dirt.

Morett said another advantage of playing on an Astroturf field is the team sees less injuries than they would playing on a more uneven surface. Since there are no divots, ankle rolls and torn ACLs are rarely seen.

However, the Lions said taking a fall is not as easy on turf as it is on grass. Bonenberger said when she or a teammate gets up from falling, it is not unlikely to find turf burns which are similar to rug burns. She said the burns sometimes sting, and the trainers have a special cream they put on the athletes' wounds before they bandage them up.

"Me and one other player have to wear knee pads on our knees because our turf burns keep reopening," Bonenberger said. "You can't play if you're bleeding, so we have to cover up our burns so we can still play."

The Lions aren't the only ones who are impressed with AstroTurf Field. Bob Hudzik, the Director of Outdoor Facilities, enjoys the little maintenance the field requires.

He said his department only needs to paint the field hockey lines once or twice a year, monitor the irrigation system and sweep off the field with a sweeper device on occasion.
In its fourth year of use, AstroTurf Field is "as true as you get," Morett said. In the future, she hopes to see improvements in the landscaping around the stadium, but she knows that will come with time.

"I am just grateful Penn State gave us the finances to get this high quality of surface to use," Morett said. "I mean, pros come in and they go, 'This is a gorgeous field, this is a great field.' "