WEST POINT, N.Y., July 31, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Michie Stadium, the football home of the Army Cadets and one of the most historic collegiate stadiums in the United States, has selected FieldTurf for an installation that will be completed in time for the 2008 season. The install was announced jointly by FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields (an Army alumnus) and Army Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson.
The new FieldTurf surface will get a nationally-televised debut on Friday, August 29 when the Cadets host the Temple Owls at Michie. The contest will be seen on ESPN Classic.
With this installation at Michie Stadium, FieldTurf is again replacing an existing AstroPlay surface.
"We are very excited about the installation of FieldTurf at West Point," said Army Head Football Coach Stan Brock. "This surface is utilized by a large number of NFL teams and college programs, and is renowned as an industry leader throughout the world. The new field is a terrific addition to our facility as we continue to blend the unique and exciting atmosphere of historical Michie Stadium with state-of-the-art improvements that enhance the experience of both our fans and cadet-athletes."
"Michie Stadium is truly one of the most historic and memorable venues in college football, and I'm proud that FieldTurf has earned our affiliation with this prestigious institution," said Fields. "Army has played its home games on artificial turf since 1977, and we are supremely confident that their new FieldTurf will be by far the best and safest surface that the players and coaches have ever encountered."
Considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing football facilities in the U.S., Michie Stadium was completed in 1924, and is one of the 16 oldest Division I-A stadiums east of the Mississippi River. The facility has undergone several key renovations in recent years, including a new $7 million press box in 2003. In addition, the $40 million Kimsey Athletic Center, which is located just outside the Michie south end zone, was completed in '03 and features state-of-the-art locker rooms, coaches' offices, athletic training facilities and an area commemorating the history of Army athletics.
More than 50 major NCAA universities have FieldTurf in their stadiums including Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, West Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Boston College, Rutgers, Wisconsin, 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 Rays, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays have FieldTurf at their respective stadiums.
FieldTurf Tarkett is the largest entity in the sports surfacing industry and provides unparalleled leasing capabilities, engineering and manufacturing resources. In addition to its world-renowned FieldTurf and Prestige brands of artificial turf, FieldTurf Tarkett provides an equally impressive range of sports flooring products that includes synthetic and hardwood basketball, volleyball and gymnasium flooring, squash and racquetball courts, floor protection and covering systems, and weight room flooring. Also in the range of FieldTurf Tarkett products are indoor and outdoor running tracks including the high performance Le Monde track system, the Resisport track system, the Beynon track surfaces, playground surfacing, commercial and residential landscaping, and a complete range of tennis and golf surfaces. For more information, visit www.fieldturftarkett.com.