Manning Passing Academy underway at NSU

For the 3rd consecutive year, AstroTurf is proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. This years camp will host close to 1,000 football players from around the country to learn from some of football best coaches and players.

The camp is hosted by Archie Manning and his family. "Peyton, Cooper, Eli and me have never missed a minute of these camps, " Archie said. "We try to have a lot of fun with the kids. We do see development. We have kids who come back three or four years, although we're not taking credit for (their improvement)."

The camp runs until Sunday at Manning Field built by AstroTurf at John L. Guidry Stadium. The stadium was renovated in 2007 with GameDay Grass 3D from AstroTurf, one of the most advanced synthetic sports surfaces in the industry.

Click here to learn more about Manning Field built by AstroTurf

Click here to learn more about the Manning Passing Academy

St. Louis Rams Select State-of-the-Art System from AstroTurf(R) for Practice Field

First NFL team to install an advanced synthetic turf system from AstroTurf®

AstroTurf brings its latest innovation directly to the National Football League. The announcement came today that the St. Louis Rams have selected AstroTurf® for a new synthetic practice field at Rams Park. The joint construction effort between GSV, AstroTurf and Munie Greencare Professionals will begin immediately and the field will be ready in time for the start of training camp in late July.

"After looking at all the different synthetic turf providers available, we felt AstroTurf was the best choice for us," said Kevin Demoff, St. Louis Rams Executive VP of Football Operations/Chief Operating Officer. "AstroTurf’s commitment to player performance and safety was a major factor in our decision. We can’t wait to get going on our new field."

The latest infilled systems from AstroTurf were designed and refined to meet the rigorous demands and performance characteristics required by the NFL. "This is a huge honor to have our state-of-the-art AstroTurf system validated by the Rams and the National Football League," said GSV Chairman Michael Dennis. "To have the greatest athletes in the world train on our system is a testament to years of testing, research and development that have gone into restoring AstroTurf as a leader in the industry. We are grateful to have been selected and proud to debut this fabulous technology with the Rams and the NFL."

The St. Louis Rams enter the 2009 season with a renewed sense of optimism under the leadership of new head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the former New York Giants Defensive Coordinator. "The Rams new AstroTurf practice field will be one of the finest in the NFL," said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf. "Everyone at GSV and AstroTurf are honored to have been selected and look forward to being a part of the St. Louis Rams for many years to come."

Installation of GameDay Grass™ 3D featuring astroflect™ Technology complete at The Meadows School

The first installation of GameDay Grass™ 3D from AstroTurf® featuring astroflect™ Technology was completed this week at The Meadows School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Celebrating their 25^th anniversary, the school maintains a total commitment to excellence in education. The Meadows School places 100% of its graduates in four-year accredited colleges and universities.

The 104,011 square foot field is composed of GameDay Grass 3D, one of the most advanced synthetic turf products, featuring best-in-class performance and safety benefits, and characteristics that closely mimic the look and feel of natural grass.

“We knew we were getting the best system available in the marketplace today in the GameDay Grass™ 3D surface from AstroTurf,” said Carolyn Goodman, Founder and President of The Meadows School. “When GeneralSports Venue came back to us and offered their new astroflect™ Technology, they reinforced our decision to select them as a partner. In a climate where managing heat is so important, we are thrilled to provide the students and families of The Meadows School with the first surface of its kind in the country.”

The Mustangs football program has a long and storied history of success, claiming six Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships since 1997, including the 2008 Class 2A Championship. Under the leadership of Head Coach Frank DeSantis, the Mustangs will break in their new GameDay Grass 3D field as they begin defense of their Class 2A Championship September 4^th against Sunrise Mountain in the 2009 season opener.

100 Days until kickoff at ODU

Our friend Rich Radford at the Virginian-Pilot has this outstanding update this morning. The new GameDay Grass 3D field has arrived and installation will begin any day now. It is an exciting time for AstroTurf, Coach Wilder and everyone at ODU.


Special delivery HamptonRoads.com PilotOnline.com: "Special delivery The carpet is here.

That's right, the rug that will be put in at Foreman Field -- artificial turf, astroturf, whatever you want to call it -- was sitting in the back of an 18-wheeler that had it's engine running as I drove down Bluestone Avenue this morning on my way to work.

I stopped and asked Stan and Fred and Pat and Earl what they had in the back of the truck. The conversation went something like this.
'Hey, what ya got in the back of that truck?'
'Rug.'
'From Georgia?'
'Yep.'
'Is it green and does it have stripes on it?'
'It does, as a matter of fact.'
'When's it going down on the field?'
'Dunno. We just deliver the stuff.'

I looked over Stan's shoulder and the goalpost in the north end zone was standing, waiting for rug to be put down around it. And there was a really big opening in the northwest corner of Foreman Field where they are talking about putting in temporary seats to meet the demand for tickets. Looked like a lot of equipment had been moved from that corner. In fact, when I thought about it, Foreman Field had become overgrown with weeds and little bothersome trees sprouting up wherever they could survive.

Now that football is just around the corner -- did you know today marks 100 days to kickoff? -- the place is really starting to look ... clean."

AstroTurf partners again with NFL Play 60

AstroTurf is proud to once again be the synthetic turf of choice for the National Football League's Play 60 Youth Football Festival. which was again held this past week before the NFL Draft in Central Park.

Kids of all ages had the opportunity to play with current and future NFL stars. The nine draft prospects invited to New York for the draft, including Matthew Stafford from Georgia, Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech and Aaron Curry from Wake Forest, participated in mini flag football games with hundreds of lucky kids.

Over 20,000 square feet of synthetic turf from AstroTurf set up temporarily in the middle of Central Park provided the backdrop for another unforgettable week.

AstroTurf named official turf of the DSRL

Oreo® Double Stuf™ Racing League Proudly Announces AstroTurf® as first official sponsor

Iconic Brands Team Up For One-of-A-Kind Sponsorship

The Oreo Double Stuf Racing League (DSRL), which turned the classic Oreo and milk ritual into a brand-new sport announced today that AstroTurf®, the world‟s first synthetic turf system, is now the first official sponsor of this unique licking league. The DSRL, whose members include quarterback brothers Peyton and Eli Manning and tennis star sisters Venus and Serena Williams, is now able to place itself with other popular sports, such as football, baseball and soccer that also play competitively, or in this case, "lick," on AstroTurf.

AstroTurf was designated as the official turf of the DSRL after deep consideration by "league officials."

"Selecting AstroTurf as the "official turf‟ for the DSRL makes perfect sense because it‟s a high quality product that will make it even more exciting for everyone, from professional athletes to consumer fans, to compete and show off their lick racing skills," said Stephen Chriss, director of consumer and customer engagement for Kraft Foods.

In fact, the first Oreo DSRL competition to take place on a custom-made DSRL/AstroTurf field will be a special lick racing event in West Palm Beach, Fla. on April 24, where two teams of finalists will compete for the title of fastest Oreo "twister, licker and dunker" and a $10,000 grand prize. The Manning brothers and Williams sisters will be on hand to help "train" the finalists for the competition.

"In the more than 40 year history of AstroTurf, the decision to support the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League is a milestone for the company," said Rick Horrow, a sports business expert known as "The Sports Professor," and CEO of Horrow Sports Ventures. "This sponsorship is a one-of-a kind opportunity to align with another iconic brand. Together this relationship showcases the credentials of both AstroTurf and Oreo in making it possible for families and friends to engage in a bit of fun competition."

The AstroTurf sponsorship will include co-branded print advertising, inclusion at trade shows, and a co-branded presence on both the astroturfusa.com and dsrl.com Web sites.

History of the DSRL

The DSRL launched in January 2008 when famous quarterback brothers Peyton Manning and Eli Manning announced they were becoming "two sport" athletes by joining the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League. Since then, the League has continued to gain momentum as Venus and Serena Williams become the second set of siblings to take on lick racing.

Earlier this year, the sisters challenged the Mannings for DSRL supremacy, and raced against each other in a national advertising spot in January, which ultimately ended in a draw.

Twisting, Licking and Dunking Tradition

The DSRL is a fun activity that family and friends can enjoy together. The only real "equipment" needed is an Oreo Double Stuf cookie, a single glass of milk and someone to compete against. To start the race, each person twists their cookie open and licks off all the crème. Then, each person shows his or her cookie to their opponent, dunks it, eats it and drinks the glass of milk. The first to finish wins!

For more information on the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League and to become an official member, visit http://www.dsrl.com/ To get the turf, visit http://www.astroturfusa.com/

Major annoncement today from AstroTurf

Word is there will be a major announcment today from AstroTurf. Stay tuned for further details or visit www.astroturfusa.com

James Laurinaitis credits GameDay Grass with improving 40-yard dash time

He may be an All-American with a mantle full of awards earned during his four years at Ohio State, but linebacker James Laurinaitis still felt the need to impress scouts at Ohio State’s annual pro day on March 13.

Recent mock drafts have had the former Buckeye standout sliding to a late first round - if not second round - selection. While scouts and analysts will continue to debate Laurinaitis’ future until NFL draft in April, the 2007 Butkus Award is satisfied in knowing he did all he could to impress.

"It's been a long process, and I'm glad to be done," Laurinaitis said.

Laurinaitis’ stock dropped because of underwhelming numbers at the NFL combine in February. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, the three-cone drill in 6.93 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.24 seconds. He has slipped in several mock drafts since then. Scout.com recently ranked Laurinaitis the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 2 insider linebacker. Scout draft analyst Chris Steuber had the Minnesota native going to the New York Giants with the 29th overall pick.

A pair of NFL.com analysts have differing opinions of where Laurinaitis will be selected. Charles Davis has San Diego taking Laurinaitis with the 16th pick, while colleague Pat Kirwan has the 2006 Nagurski winner slipping all the way to the No. 27 pick and the Indianapolis Colts. Another analyst, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com, has Laurinaitis falling to the Tennessee Titans with the 30th pick. Rob Rang and Chad Reuter of NFLdraftscout.com have Laurinaitis falling out of the first round entirely.

Laurinaitis did what he could to improve his stock by posting faster times on pro day. His 40-yard dash time was reportedly between 4.72 and 4.78 seconds, an measurable improvement from his combine speed. He credited a faster surface at the Woody Hayes Center as one reason for his improvement.

"The combine had a soft, slow surface," Laurinaitis said of the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium. "The goal was to make all the times faster today. That was accomplished. I was happy with that."

The Buckeyes practice on a full-size infilled turf system from AstroTurf in the Woody Hayes Center. This years NFL combine was held at Lucas Oil Stadium on FieldTurf.

Lawrence Unified School District installing eight AstroTurf fields

Lawrence Unified School District (USD) selected GameDay Grass 3D by AstroTurf for eight district athletic fields. Installation of the new synthetic turf football, soccer, baseball and softball fields at Lawrence High School and Free State High School, is underway by GeneralSports Venue (GSV), the exclusive U.S. licensee of AstroTurf. In addition to the renovation of the athletic fields, GSV will install its XPLODE polyurethane competition track system and new tennis courts at Lawrence High School this summer.

Installation of turf for the football fields is completed, and work on the baseball fields is underway.

“There were a number of factors that proved GameDay Grass 3D was the best product for Lawrence USD,” said Tom Bracciano, division director of operations and facility planning. “The proprietary Root Zone aiding with traction, Sustain all rubber infill eliminating sand that hardens over time and scientific data on player performance and safety made it clear GameDay Grass 3D from AstroTurf was the best choice for our high schools and community.”

“We take great pride in having the opportunity to work with Lawrence Public Schools to provide innovative, durable and safe playing surfaces for the athletes and community groups to use,” said Mark West, GSV Director of Sales – Central Region. “Lawrence made it clear they wanted nothing but the best for all the new sports venues and we are proud they selected the GameDay Grass 3D system by AstroTurf.”

GSV is the approved synthetic turf and athletic supplier of the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and other nonprofits reduce the cost of purchased goods by pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. As a registered participant of U.S. Communities, Lawrence USD benefited from the variety and quality of products and services offered by GSV.

Work on the new football fields at each high school has wrapped up and installation of the turf for the baseball fields is in progress. All remaining elements of the project including the construction and installation of the track system and tennis courts will be completed this summer.

AstroTurf changes with the times

Raleigh firm predicts a 25 percent rise in sales this year despite recession

By David Ranii - Staff Writer

Not even the eruption of a public relations nightmare last year could derail the sales growth of GeneralSports Venue, the Raleigh company behind AstroTurf synthetic grass.

So it's no wonder that, despite the recession, CEO Jon Pritchett projects sales will rise 25 percent to $50 million this year.

It helps that GSV is in an industry that enjoyed 20 percent sales growth last year. That's due in part to improvements in the quality of artificial turf and prices that make it feasible for public schools and municipal parks to convert from natural to artificial grass. And many of the fields GSV is installing today were funded before the recession grabbed the economy by the throat.

In addition, the new federal stimulus package could help schools continue to invest in synthetic fields this year.

"I think the industry thinks this will be a difficult year, but it will still be a strong growth year," said Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, an industry trade group.

Pritchett, meanwhile, expects GSV to continue to outpace the industry through innovation and the introduction of new products – plus the company's anything-but-secret weapon.

"The AstroTurf brand gets us into a lot of doors," he said. "It gets people's attention."

The company also sells other products, such as antimicrobial coating for facilities such as locker rooms, and offers site preparation and construction management services for stadiums and other support venues.

GSV acquired the exclusive North American rights to the AstroTurf brand in 2006. Last fall, the company found itself on the defensive when New Jersey health officials announced the discovery of unsafe lead levels in three old AstroTurf fields. It triggered a media firestorm.

Those fields were installed before GSV licensed the brand, but so what?

"We weren't liable, but the brand was being attacked," Pritchett said.

So the company, which believed the products were safe but lacked the data to prove it, counter-attacked by hiring a team of scientists to study the issue. The results were released at a press conference in New York: The scientists concluded a child would have to eat 23 pounds of AstroTurf to be at risk.

That helped defuse the issue, which fizzled more in July when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that it had concluded that synthetic fields were safe for young children.

"It was quite a PR nightmare for 60 to 90 days," Pritchett said. "Our salespeople had to be educated on how to answer the issue. In every meeting, it was a topic."

But the strategy worked.

"We don't know of any projects that were canceled because of it," Pritchett said."

Last year, GSV's sales hit $40 million, more than one-third better than in 2007. Today the company has 43 employees, including 19 at its headquarters off of Capital Boulevard in North Raleigh.

AstroTurf is manufactured for GSV by Textile Management Associates. The Georgia company acquired the product when the previous owner, Southwest Recreational Industries of Texas, went bankrupt in 2004.

The typical cost of an AstroTurf field is about $325,000 to buy and install, plus $325,000 for engineering, which GeneralSports also offers. That's much more upfront than an all-natural field, but it makes maintenance easier and cheaper. Another synthetic advantage: Teams can practice daily without ruining the surface.

Universities that have purchased AstroTurf in the last year or so include Penn State, Cornell, Dartmouth, James Madison and Michigan State. Local customers include UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke, which installed field hockey surfaces, and Campbell University's football stadium.

GSV was formed in 2003 when a group of investors purchased a small turf installation business in Michigan. That group subsequently convinced Textile Management that it had the sales expertise to resuscitate the brand.

It then "re-launched" AstroTurf in 2006 with retired NFL quarterback Archie Manning -- the father of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning -- acting as its celebrity spokesman.

Since then, Pritchett said, the privately held company has separated itself from the pack to become the clear No. 2 in the industry behind the much larger FieldTurf.

"GSV has been a leader in the industry," Doyle said. "They have been an important innovator."

Among GSV's recent accomplishments:

A Michigan State University study presented at a conference last summer concluded that one variety of AstroTurf, GameDay Grass 3D, came closest to natural grass by one key safety measure. "It looks like [natural grass], it feels like it, it plays like it," said Pritchett.

Last May, a nonprofit that helps more than 30,000 government agencies, school districts and others pool their purchasing power named GSV its exclusive provider for artificial turf and other athletic surfaces. Pritchett estimated the contract accounted for 15 percent of AstroTurf sales last year and projects it will account for 20 percent or more this year.

GSV and athletic shoe maker Reebok announced in December a joint research and development project studying how footwear interacts with artificial turf. "It's basically to improve performance and safety," Pritchett said.

Last year the company cut a deal with a corporate partner that enabled it to sell its own brand of synthetic track surfaces, Xplode. It also became exclusive U.S. distributor for a maker of synthetic tennis and volleyball courts, and this year it will begin selling an automated tarp cover for natural grass fields.

Those deals are part of a diversification strategy that is anchored in the AstroTurf brand and the relationships GSV has forged with its customers.

"We want to be the one offering the newest, the best, the latest technology," Pritchett said.

GENERALSPORTS VENUE

HEADQUARTERS: Raleigh

CEO: Jon Pritchett

2008 REVENUE: $40 million

EMPLOYEES: 43, including 19 in Raleigh

YEAR FOUNDED: 2003

BUSINESS: Sells and installs AstroTurf brand artificial turf. Sells synthetic track and tennis court surfaces and antimicrobial coating for facilities such as locker rooms. Offers site preparation and construction management services for stadiums and other support venues.

Link to News & Observer

GSV Project in Lawrence "getting in shape"

The Free State High School Firebird is in place on the school’s newly turfed football field, and work on other athletic venues continues to progress in the Lawrence school district.

“It’s been an extremely aggressive schedule,” said Tom Bracciano, the division director of operations and facility planning for the district.

Free State and Lawrence high schools are both getting artificial turf soccer, football, softball and baseball fields. Lawrence High School will also get more parking and new tennis courts. If everything — including lights, bleachers and the parking — is done by the Aug. 15 deadline, the project will have been done in less than a year.

At Free State, existing fields are being renovated with the new turf, while much of the work at LHS involves building new facilities. Free State’s soccer team can use the school’s football field until its own pitch is completed.

“I think we’re in excellent shape,” said Bracciano. “It’s going to be a real tough push to get the baseball field here at Free State done by March 1. Football fields at both schools are right on target and soccer, the tennis courts, everything else is pretty well on track.”

The potential budget cuts from the state do not affect the capital outlay fund, which is paying for the new athletic fields.

“It’s also hard to explain to people that you could have capital projects going on ... in the case now, where we’re putting turf on some fields, that they are unaffected by these cuts because it’s two pools of money,” said Superintendent Randy Weseman. “There are actually two kinds of money in our business — the capital money and the general fund money.”

Bracciano says the project is fiscally responsible because ultimately the fields will save general fund money that would normally go to maintenance and utilities that were spent on grass fields.

“We’re hoping to relieve the pressure on the general fund, so really, for us, it works out real well to have these projects come along at this time,” he said. “These are being paid for with capital outlay dollars, which we can’t use for salaries or operational costs.”

Bracciano also notes the environmentally friendly aspect of going to turf.

“It’s (the turf) got the soy-based backing on it,” he said. “The biggest thing in my mind, too, is no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer.”

A package for lights should be presented to the board at its next meeting, Feb. 23. Bracciano says the district is also bidding out the bleachers for the fields.

At Free State, work is being done on leveling the baseball field and putting drainage in the soccer field. The softball field will not be touched until the season in over in May.

Lawrence High is getting ready to get turf on its football field and to relevel the softball field. Most of the underground retention for stormwater drainage is in place under the tennis courts at the Lawrence Virtual School site.

“We’ve had some excellent people to work with and it’s just come out beautiful,” said Bracciano.

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