NEW YORK, June 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Another Ivy League university has turned to FieldTurf to handle a vital athletic installation on its campus. Columbia University has tabbed FieldTurf for an installation at Columbia Soccer Stadium; it was jointly announced by FieldTurf Tarkett CEO John Gilman and CU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. M. Dianne Murphy. The installation is currently underway and should be completed by mid-August. Columbia Soccer Stadium is part of the university's Baker Athletic Complex.
The new FieldTurf surface at Columbia Soccer Stadium will be utilized by both the Lions' men's and women's soccer teams. In addition, the versatility and durability of FieldTurf will allow Columbia to use the field for a host of other activities and functions. The first intercollegiate contests on the new FieldTurf will take place on September 7 when Columbia's men's soccer team hosts La Salle and the women's squad faces Miami (Ohio) in a doubleheader.
"We are thrilled to break ground on this project in support of our men's and women's soccer teams," said Murphy. "This (FieldTurf) will be a first-rate field that shows our commitment to our soccer programs. We are very excited about this tremendous opportunity to continue our quest for quality and excellence in all that we do. By installing a state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface at Columbia Soccer Stadium, we are gaining more than a first-rate home for our men's and women's soccer teams. The new field will provide us with flexible space that can be used by multiple athletics, intramural and club sports programs-something we were unable to do on the old grass before."
"Our student-athletes are fired up," said Columbia Head Men's Soccer Coach Leo Chappel. "The new field definitely suits our style and how we want to play the game."
"The team is very excited," commented Columbia Head Women's Soccer Coach Kevin McCarthy. "As Ivy League champions and a model women's soccer program, we're delighted to have an exemplary pitch. We are appreciative of the commitment of the athletics program and its donors as well. Their generosity in support of this project affirms that Columbia takes soccer seriously."
"FieldTurf's soccer surface has rapidly risen to become #1 in the world, so it is only fitting that we install our product at one of the nation's most prestigious universities," said Gilman. "With the recent league success that Columbia University soccer has enjoyed, we are confident that the Lions' players and coaches will thrive on their new FieldTurf surface."
In U.S. professional soccer, three MLS teams currently play their home games on FieldTurf (New England, New York, Toronto). In addition to its growing popularity in the college ranks, FieldTurf has already established itself as the turf of choice in the National Football League. Twenty-one of the NFL's 32 teams currently use FieldTurf at their stadiums and/or their practice facilities. Also, three Major League Baseball teams are using FieldTurf at their stadiums in 2007.
Over the past few years, the quality and performance of FieldTurf's patented system has resulted in over 2000 installations in more than 40 countries, and has made it the first choice for top stadiums around the world. FieldTurf has revolutionized the artificial turf industry with its patented products and installation technologies. FieldTurf also offers a full range of artificial grass solutions. For more information on FieldTurf, please visit www.fieldturf.com.