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.

RELIANT STADIUM TO HOST ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND BOOST ECONOMIC IMPACT WITH INSTALLATION OF REMOVABLE ASTROTURF SYSTEM

(HOUSTON, Texas) - The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) has completed installation of a new, removable AstroTurf system for Reliant Stadium.

The new surface will enable Reliant Park to increase the level of event activity, thereby increasing revenue and economic impact through hosting numerous sporting and other events on a world-class playing field without sacrificing its existing natural grass surface. 

Reliant Stadium features the NFL’s first, retractable-roof football and rodeo stadium with a portable natural grass playing surface.  The field is comprised of eight-foot square trays, which hold sections of grass that are pieced together for games.  These trays are removed after Texans games to be properly exposed to sunlight, water, and fertilization.

However, to maintain the quality and performance of the portable natural grass turf system, the hosting of other non-NFL events at Reliant Stadium has been kept to a minimum.

“We're trying to save the natural grass field for the NFL so it will stay in better condition, and yet we're trying to generate new revenue,” said Mark Miller, General Manager of SMG – Reliant Park.  “Revenue from the synthetic turf system can recover the cost in very short order.   Anything that is not the NFL, we will try to play it on the AstroTurf if the schedule allows.  This would include high school and college football playoff games, the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, and others.

“AstroTurf was selected because of its flexibility--and particularly because of AstroTurf’s root zone system, which guarantees a very uniform, predictable field of play,” said Miller.

While the new AstroTurf field offers performance, durability, and aesthetic benefits, it will allow Reliant Park to create an innovative business model, which will generate income for the facility and provide Houston the economic benefit that comes with the ability to host more events.

With the flexibility that the artificial turf provides, SMG-Reliant Park plans to pursue hosting numerous additional events.  One such event is the Texas high school football championships, an event not hosted in Houston since 2008.  Currently, with the existing grass surface, multiple games cannot be held without extensive wear and tear to the natural grass.

“There are several factors in the process of deciding on a host city,” said Dr. Mark Cousins, Athletic Director of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body of high school sports in Texas.  “First, we have to have the ability to control the climate.  Second, we require a quality playing surface.  Third, we have to have four suitable locker rooms.   Any facility meeting those qualifications would be in the mix for the possibility of hosting the championships.”  

The addition of AstroTurf allows Reliant Stadium to meet all these qualifications for the events.  It also provides leverage for hosting other events and bringing people to the area.

Reliant Stadium puts up significant attendance numbers at sporting events.  Approximately 5.7 million people live within an hour of the stadium, and approximately 6.9 million people live within a two hour drive.  San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas are within 300 miles, further increasing the number of potential event attendees.

Forty-six years ago, Houston, Texas turned the sports world on its ear when the Astrodome introduced a revolutionary concept to the world of sports—the first full-sized synthetic grass playing surface.  And today, Reliant Stadium, successor to the Astrodome, has been outfitted with an innovative artificial turf playing field.

 “We take great pride in being able to provide Reliant Stadium with the most technologically advanced and highest performing artificial surface in the world,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf.  “But, we take more pride in contributing—through our innovative AstroTurf removable system—to the ability of Houston to provide more sports events and the growth of a vibrant economy.”

The AstroTurf system being utilized is known as the AstroHopper system, similar to the one used by the Toronto Blue Jays.  The system will utilize 59 separate sections of AstroTurf that are 15’ wide to allow them to be able to be rolled up and stored in the Astrodome between events.  Conversion to and from usage of the AstroTurf field takes approximately seven minutes per panel, with an overall conversion time of less than a day.

The AstroHopper system creates a better packaged roll and allows for more consistent and efficient conversions, maximizing storage capacity by eliminating wrinkles, bagging, or telescoping that can lead to increased product wear and tear or damage. 

The system will feature an AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 Xtreme field.  This surface contains the Horseshoe fiber, an Omega-shaped fiber that has better mechanical memory and remains upright longer, with a more grass-like ball roll, and offers the best aesthetics of any field.  The Horseshoe fiber’s shape also enables 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 Horseshoe monofilament is combined with the AstroTurf XP fiber.  XP is a slit-film fiber that offers better infill encapsulation, resistance to wear, and pile density.  The field also has a face weight of 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, one of the highest on the market.  This adds to the durability provided by these fiber shapes.  The 94,380 square foot field weighs approximately 351,000 pounds.

The Xtreme product 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.  

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 safer option.  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. 

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.

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.  Also, the use of soy-based polyols in the backing of products reduces dependence on foreign oil. 

According to BASF’s study, from an economic standpoint, projected over 20 years, AstroTurf fields are, on average, 15% less expensive than natural grass fields, even when the cost of turf replacement is considered. 

CAL SOUTH SOCCER AND CAL SOUTH SOCCER FOUNDATION SELECT ASTROTURF AS THEIR OFFICIAL ARTIFICIAL SURFACE PROVIDER

(Fullerton, CA) - The premier youth and adult soccer membership association in the United States has announced a three-year partnership with AstroTurf, the maker of the world's best artificial playing surfaces.  Cal South Soccer and the Cal South Soccer Foundation have named AstroTurf as their Official Artificial Surface Provider. 


"As Cal South continues to grow, the demand for fields and availability is increasing dramatically," said John Weinerth, CEO of Cal South.  "As a result, the need and demand for artificial surfaces has grown.  AstroTurf is the inventor of the industry and we have been impressed at how they've remained at the forefront through research and development regarding performance and safety, particularly as it relates to soccer fields." 

Cal South Soccer has grown over 24% since 2008 and those growth trends continue.  The organization has 143,500 youth players and 12,500 adult players who participate in over 280 leagues and clubs.  These players participate on soccer fields throughout Southern California.  The organization also features 30,000 coaches and team managers, 8,000 referees, and 330,000 family members. 

"Cal South Soccer embodies all the best attributes of soccer in the United States," said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf.  "Our partnership will help us in our efforts to develop safer playing fields that offer the best in performance and durability." 

The comprehensive partnership includes a robust blend of education, outreach and support of programs for both Cal South and the Cal South Soccer Foundation. Activation includes field development workshops, field grant opportunities and working with Cal South s network of Affiliate Members and City Agencies on the benefits of synthetic turf and how to get new fields installed.  

In addition, AstroTurf will support Soccer Nation Expo with the installation of two main fields throughout the Expo, and also support the new "AstroTurf Grow the Game Award," which will be awarded on an annual basis to an outstanding individual, team, or club in recognition for their efforts behind growing the game. 

"Cal South teams play on hundreds of fields throughout California," said Peeples.  "Very few natural grass fields can accommodate these levels of play, so artificial turf is becoming an increasingly attractive and necessary alternative.  We'll be able to work with Cal South stakeholders to show how AstroTurf can help improve performance, increase playing time and availability of fields, and reduce maintenance and associated costs, as well as environmental impact. In concert, these factors can also help in the development of Cal South's soccer programs." 

AstroTurf fields can provide up to four times the availability of a natural grass field.  Scientific research by Michigan State University has also stated that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems look and perform more like natural grass than any other surface. 

AstroTurf fields also have an added environmental and economic impact.  In 2010, BASF did a study comparing AstroTurf fields to natural grass fields. In eleven 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. AstroTurf fields also use soy-based polyols in the backing of products, reducing their dependence on foreign oil and helping create American jobs.
From an economic standpoint, over twenty years, AstroTurf fields are 15% less expensive than natural grass fields, even when the cost of turf replacement is considered. 

"This is a wonderfully matched partnership," said Weinerth.  "This is two leaders in the industry looking to grow the game in one of the world’s best soccer markets.

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 PLAYS A ROLE AS FALCONS AND TITANS CLASH AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

(DALTON, Georgia) - The Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans squared off in a preseason scrimmage on Monday in the hometown of AstroTurf.

The teams visited Coahulla Creek High School in Varnell, near Dalton, on Monday and drew nearly 8,500 fans for the event.  

From a marketing standpoint, both teams draw fans from the area, which is within easy driving distance of where the teams play their home games in Atlanta and Nashville.  The event also served as a fundraiser for the athletic departments of the three high schools in Whitfield County, which are Coahulla Creek, Northwest Whitfield, and Southeast Whitfield.

“The people in this community have rolled out the red carpet for us,” said Mike Smith, Head Coach of the Falcons.  “In terms of the facilities, it’s just beautiful.  I certainly hope we’ll have the opportunity to come back again.”

Coahulla Creek is a new school and plays on natural grass on a field Titans’ QB Matt Hasselbeck compared to a college field.

While the school does not yet have artificial turf, AstroTurf was able to provide the school with new team boxes, the area on the sideline between the 25-yard-lines.  The team boxes feature a large AstroTurf logo, as a show of support for the program.   AstroTurf installed the sideline panels in time for the scrimmage to help protect and showcase the field and the panels will remain in place permanently for the school.

“Ultimately, our mission is to bring communities together through sports, so we were proud to be a small part of this event,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf.  “Coahulla Creek has a first-class facility and this was a large and important event for the community and for the future of the athletic departments in the Whitfield County school system.”  

The first-time event is one both teams plan to host on an annual basis in and around the Chattanooga area.

Below is a sampling of media links about the event.  The first is the Atlanta Falcons home page, which features several stories and videos from the event.  The second is a photo gallery from the Tennessee Titans with nearly 350 photos from the event.  The final link is a news story from Chattanooga television station WRCB.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/

http://www.titansonline.com/media-center/photo-gallery/Titans-Falcons-Scrimmage/592d553e-1fd1-4d44-a385-61de4c1ea11f

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/19207011/titans-falcons-holding-open-practice-near-dalton