FEATURE 1: BU'S NICKERSON FIELD TO GET FIELDTURF FACE LIFT: Mike Lynch, Boston University’s Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics, and FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields have announced the renovation of historic Nickerson Field, as a state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface will be installed in time for the 2008 soccer seasons.

Nickerson Field was originally renovated with FieldTurf in May 2001 and is home to the Terrier men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the women’s lacrosse team.

"We are proud to continue our relationship with a company who is recognized as the industry leader for playing surfaces," Lynch said. "We have three varsity teams, each of which participated in their respective NCAA tournaments last year, that will benefit directly and immediately from the enhancements we are making this summer to their playing surface at Nickerson Field."

“Being associated with Boston University has been an absolute pleasure for our organization,” said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. “Their continued selection of FieldTurf is a testament to our dedication to quality and the long-term success of the surfaces we manufacture. We are thrilled to have BU as a repeat customer and look forward to a long-lasting relationship.”

“We used our field for a total of 2,600 hours last year, which makes it one of the most used fields in the country,” said Drew Marrochello, BU’s Deputy Director of Athletics. “The fact that the latest version of FieldTurf is even more durable than the first field we purchased is extremely comforting.”

Nickerson Field, once the home to the Boston Braves National League baseball club and Babe Ruth, is over 90 years old. The Boston Red Sox played on the field during the 1915 and 1916 World Series when the field was known as Braves Field. The Boston Braves of the National Football League (NFL), now the Washington Redskins, also played on the field during its inaugural season. In more recent years, it has served as the home of the Boston Breakers of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) from 2001-03 and the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from 2004-06.

Nickerson Field made history in the soccer community as it became the first soccer venue in North America with new generation artificial turf to receive FIFA 1-Star Recommended status in 2001 from soccer’s international governing body. FieldTurf has since received numerous FIFA Recommended ratings for installations around the globe.
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FEATURE 2: TOLEDO ROCKETS CHOOSE FIELDTURF FOR GLASS BOWL: Rack up yet another key football installation for the worldwide leader in artificial surfacing. FieldTurf is the choice for the University of Toledo’s Glass Bowl, it was announced by UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien and FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. The new FieldTurf surface will debut on September 20 when the Rockets host the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Once again, FieldTurf will replace a competitor’s product (NexTurf) just a few years after its installation.

"We are very pleased that we will have an outstanding new FieldTurf surface ready for the 2008 season," said O’Brien. “Our new field will help the Glass Bowl maintain its reputation as one of the truly outstanding college football stadiums in the country."

"I feel that FieldTurf is the state-of-the-art, finest playing surface in the world,” said Head Football Coach Tom Amstutz. “Our players are very excited to get the opportunity to play on that surface. We can’t wait to get on it this fall."

“Toledo has long been one of the true powers in the Mid-American Conference and we are delighted to launch this association with the Rockets,” said Fields. “Glass Bowl is one of the traditional football facilities in the Midwest, and we are confident that the installation of FieldTurf will be extremely beneficial to Coach Amstutz and his players.”

Glass Bowl was built in 1936 and has undergone several renovations over the years. The most extensive came in 1990 when the stadium’s capacity was increased from 18,500 to 26,248 That ’90 renovation also featured new suites and club seats, along with a three-story press tower.

One of the most successful schools in the Mid-American Conference, the Rockets have won nine conference championships in football.
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FEATURE 3: ARIZONA STATE SELECTS FIELDTURF FOR FOOTBALL FACILITY: Arizona State has selected FieldTurf as the playing surface for its new football indoor practice facility. Ground was broken on the state-of-the-art complex this past May and it is expected to be completed by August 1. The announcement regarding the FieldTurf was jointly made by ASU Vice President for Athletics Lisa Love and FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields.

The new indoor practice facility with FieldTurf will further enhance ASU’s reputation as having outstanding athletic facilities. The facility will include 103,500 square feet with a 75-yard practice field (with an end zone) and a 45-yard practice field (with an end zone). The cost for the facility is $8.4 million. Besides giving the Sun Devils football team a climate-controlled venue for practice, the facility will also be utilized by the ASU Marching Band, ASU intramurals and for university summer football camps.

“We are very excited to have FieldTurf in our new indoor practice facility,” Love said. “It’s very important that our athletic teams have everything they need to succeed at the highest level and this FieldTurf product will provide them with a first-class surface.”

“Arizona State’s new indoor football practice facility will be one of the jewels of the PAC 10,” said Fields. “It certainly means a lot to FieldTurf to be in on the ground floor, so to speak, at such an outstanding facility. We know that Coach (Dennis) Erickson has been excited about his new indoor practice complex and he’s very familiar with our product from his days with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. FieldTurf plans on giving the Sun Devils the very best practice field and conditions to be found anywhere.”

More than 50 major NCAA universities have FieldTurf in their stadiums, including Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Boston College, Rutgers, Kansas State, Louisville and Missouri. Twenty-one of the NFL’s 32 teams use FieldTurf at their stadium and/or practice facility. In addition, MLB’s Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays have FieldTurf at their respective stadiums.
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