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.

ASTROTURF SAVES THE DAY AFTER UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE’S FOOTBALL CAMP HAMPERED BY BAD WEATHER

Tennessee Vols Head Coach Derek Dooley and AstroTurf President Bryan Peeples

(JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee) - Last week, the Tennessee Volunteers packed up and moved football camp to tiny Milligan College, just over 100 miles from the Knoxville campus.

The purpose of the move was to bring the team together as they prepare to face competition in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

''We wanted to do this to limit ourselves from the distractions and simulate what used to be very common as it relates to team chemistry and getting to know each other, building leadership and togetherness,'' coach Derek Dooley said.

The need for developing those bonds did little to hold off the rains last week.  The rains and field conditions at Milligan forced the Vols to move practices to the AstroTurf field at Science Hill High School in Johnson City.

Tennessee is very familiar with AstroTurf, having installed the surface in its indoor practice facility during the 2010 season.  Tennessee is also the home of the Center for Athletic Field Safety, a facility funded by AstroTurf and dedicated to safety research on synthetic and natural grass fields.

Steve Spurrier Field at Science Hill High School

Science Hill also installed the AstroTurf surface in 2010.  Its ability to host play in virtually any weather condition allowed the Vols to continue practice during and after the inclement weather.  The move to the field at Science Hill was part of the contingency plan for the camp.

All AstroTurf GameDay Grass fields have extensive drainage systems in the base work and the turf features 5/16-inch perforations on four-inch centers throughout the field.  These systems are designed to drain over 30 inches per hour. 

Last September, the Chattanooga, Tennessee area experienced over 10 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, surpassing the record set in 1886.  Schools and businesses were closed as a result of flooding, but the rain did nothing to diminish the playability of AstroTurf fields in the area.  Teams practiced in the rain and hosted games the next day.

Mark Mariakis, head coach at Ridgeland High School, said of the rain, ”I can say that if this happened two years ago when we were still playing on grass, we probably wouldn’t have been able to even host home games for several weeks.”

The ability of AstroTurf systems to handle a variety of weather conditions, as well as its durability and consistency, are reasons why teams like the Vols are able to prepare according to plan, with no interruption.

The only reason the Vols may not have wanted to prepare at Science Hill would have been because it was on Steve Spurrier Field.  Spurrier, head coach at South Carolina and known as the Evil Genius, played at Science Hill.  He also made a generous donation to the school as it was renovating the stadium and adding AstroTurf.

"I think he is a generous man to give back to his high school, so I commend him for what he has done," Dooley said. "It's a tribute to the fact that he was a great player, a great coach, and made a lot of money. When that happens, you get your name on the field."

The University of Tennessee's Indoor Practice Facility

ASTROTURF INSTALLATION IS UNDERWAY AT THE DAKOTADOME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

(VERMILLION, South Dakota) - The University of South Dakota Coyotes football team will take the field this fall with two potent new weapons in its arsenal.

First, the team has a new coach in alumnus and Coyote Sports Hall of Famer Joe Glenn, a former player and assistant coach at USD.  In a coaching career that has spanned more than three decades, Glenn has 24 years as a head coach, with 14 consecutive winning seasons at Northern Colorado and Montana.  He won two NCAA Division II National Championships at Northern Colorado and won the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship with Montana in 2001.  Glenn plans on continuing his winning ways at South Dakota, as they compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The second new weapon in the arsenal is the addition of a new AstroTurf field at the DakotaDome.  The Coyotes have played on an AstroTurf surface for years, in an on-campus facility which seats 10,000.

Athletic Director David Sayler knows that the addition of the new AstroTurf field will pay dividends to the athletic program and the university as a whole.

“The new AstroTurf field at the DakotaDome will give us an overall improvement in the football program and with our facilities,” said Sayler.  “It will also provide us with a new and improved level of safety and performance for our student-athletes, as well as demonstrate our commitment to the program.”

Senior Associate Athletic Director David Herbster was heavily involved in the decision-making process.

“We looked at numerous options,” said Herbster.  “We chose AstroTurf because of their breadth of experience and the facilities the product has been installed in.  Our confidence in their body of work was extremely important.  Also important were price and customer service.  We felt like AstroTurf provided us with exactly what we needed.”

Herbster visited several facilities, but was sold when he visited the indoor practice facility at the University of Kansas.  The Jayhawks had the same kind of system that USD was looking for.

“When we saw the field at Kansas, we knew we wanted to have that in the DakotaDome,” said Herbster.

The surface will be AstroTurf PureGrass, a tufted nylon product that provides exceptional, all-around performance.  PureGrass was designed as a premium, multi-purpose, extra-plush turf with a high fiber density.  The PureGrass system at the DakotaDome will not contain infill and is designed to be a portable system, which will rest on an 8mm pad.

The system will employee the AstroHopper conversion system, which is designed to allow for removal and storage of the field in a timely and cost-effective manner, to allow the DakotaDome to convert for other types of events.

The AstroHopper system rolls up field panels and maximizes storage capacity by eliminating wrinkles, bagging, or telescoping which can lead to increased surface wear, tear, and damage.

“The DakotaDome is a great venue and the University of South Dakota has a top-notch athletic program,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf.  “David Sayler and Coach Joe Glenn have raised the bar and we are proud that they selected AstroTurf to serve the needs of their student-athletes.  We look forward to being a part of their success for years to come.”  

This summer, the three largest indoor sports facilities in the Upper Midwest are getting new AstroTurf surfaces.  Not only is the DakotaDome updating its AstroTurf surface, the FargoDome in North Dakota and the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D. are also getting new AstroTurf fields.

The DakotaDome project will be complete in time for the Coyotes to take the field for their home opener against Colgate on Sept. 8.

AstroTurf Magic Carpet II System Installation Underway at Fargodome

Work is underway at the Fargodome on the new AstroTurf Magic Carpet II system.

North Dakota State University has produced a great series of quick videos on the installation process.

Fargodome officials estimated that more than 125 events take place on the current playing surface, including half a dozen NDSU home football games, over 40 practices, over 20 high school football games, nearly 35 youth football games, as well as winter practices for baseball and softball teams from NDSU and area high schools.

Converting an indoor stadium to host multiple events is extremely important from the amount of time it takes to convert, to the expenses involved in the conversion.  Not only does the Fargodome host sporting events, it hosts concerts, conventions, and more events.  Converting the floor surface to be able to host as many events as possible is key because time is money.

The AstroTurf Magic Carpet II system allows for the conversion of a synthetic surface in a timely and efficient manner.

The Magic Carpet II system uses a series of air jets in the floor on which the entire AstroTurf field “floats” as it is unrolled from or rolled up onto a huge steel core that lowers into a covered pit.  Because the process is fully automatic and takes less than an hour for complete conversion, it helps facilities increase revenue and decrease labor costs by allowing more events.  It also keeps field performance and aesthetics at the highest level for years as the field is fully protected rolled up in the pit.

The turf will be AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D.  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.  Most importantly, the Magic Carpet II system has been redesigned to allow for new generation rubber infilled turf systems.  This means the NDSU players will play on a grass-like surface and not a “rug”.

Here are the first three installments of the video profile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtXd8YmsXh4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BddzYoOZNuM 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JG9oyuo0bo