RALEIGH, N.C., May 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building an NCAA champion soccer program takes teamwork, great players and savvy coaches. But it also takes the best possible facilities, which is why North Carolina State University chose a Mondoturf FTS3 artificial turf system to replace one of its grass soccer fields at its Wolfpack Training Complex. The state-of-the-art synthetic turf field features Ecofill infill, 3NX fiber, Thermo-bonded backing and Fine Tuned Panel underlayment, which all are manufactured by Mondo, the global leader in the sports flooring market.
With the new Mondoturf system in place, N.C. State now has one grass and one artificial turf practice field—meaning student-athletes can train for matches on either surface. "We wanted Mondoturf so we could prepare for any opponents that we play on turf," said Kelly Findley, head coach, N.C. State men's soccer. "The Mondoturf field also will ensure we don't miss any training days due to inclement weather. When you're trying to develop players and create a great winning culture, you can't miss training days or opportunities to develop. That's what the Mondo surface has given us."
Findley said the cutting-edge turf system is one facet of the program's plan to develop a team that competes consistently for national championships and will be a key element in luring top high school players to Raleigh. "I think the investment in a Mondo surface shows our commitment—we're saying that soccer is important to us. When we're trying to recruit the best players in the country, we can show them a facility that includes the Mondo surface and is a place where they can develop."
Mondoturf is Mondo's latest-generation artificial turf system. Its components include:
- Ecofill infill, a patented, environmentally friendly, factory-manufactured polyolefin-based granule infill that is not made from reground tire pellets. Ecofill delivers the appropriate amount of shock absorption and energy return for optimal, natural-field–like athletic performance. Completely recyclable, Ecofill is virtually odor free, even in hot, humid conditions, and it retains less heat than traditional black rubber granules, so it reduces the potential for athletic fatigue and dehydration.
- 3NX fiber, which has proven core characteristics that allow it to perfectly mimic the way natural grass responds, and to do so with outstanding resilience and durability while offering superior player comfort. The 3NX fiber's translational and rotational friction characteristics lend themselves to easy pivots and turns even in high-torque scenarios. Ball roll and bounce mimic roll and bounce on natural grass.
- Thermo-bonded, Mondo's newest artificial turf backing, which uses proprietary technology to provide a dimensionally stable tufted turf without needing a polyurethane secondary backing. Instead, a dual primary backing holds the turf fibers more securely in place—40 percent better than the industry standard—so it can be handled as necessary with virtually no fiber loss.
- The Fine Tuned Panel underlayment, a prefabricated shock pad/drainage system made of recycled tire granules that are treated and encapsulated in polyurethane, preventing the possibility of contamination. The underlayment compacts less than traditional systems, so the field's play and performance characteristics remain consistent throughout the entire surface, ensuring optimal play and outstanding ball action while minimizing the risk of injuries to athletes, even if the infill migrates.
The field was installed by Mooresville, N.C.-based Medallion Athletics Products, a general contractor that sells and installs Mondo products. Medallion completed the synthetic turf field in just a few weeks despite numerous weather-related challenges along the way. Findley said Medallion's work on the installation was "fantastic, and the quality of the customer service by both Medallion and Mondo was very good. Everything got done really, really well, and I would say the field is perfect."
About North Carolina State University
Founded in 1887, North Carolina State University is globally recognized for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership. With more than 34,000 students and nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, N.C. State is consistently ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities and ranked by Princeton Review as a best value for students. N.C. State competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports, and is a founding member and competitor in one of the nation's premier leagues, the Atlantic Coast Conference.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the track and field, indoor sport and contract flooring markets, manufacturing rubber flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. An official supplier of athletic tracks for the past nine Olympic Games and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.
The company supplies a wide variety of commercial rubber flooring and manufactures luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. For news updates, the latest on Mondo products and events, and the company's latest sport flooring installations, visit mondoworldwide.com and like Mondo America's Facebook page and the Mondotrack Facebook page.
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Mondo and Mondoturf are registered trademarks of Mondo.