Sportexe Client Mourns Passing of Legendary Football Coach

ROUND ROCK, Texas. July 30, 2007--Sportexe would like to send condolences to all family, friends and colleagues of professional football coaching legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Bill Walsh, who died at age 75 after a long battle with leukemia.

Coach Walsh was best known for guiding the San Francisco 49ers to three NFL Super Bowl championships and six NFC West division titles during his 10 years as head coach.

"Sportexe is deeply saddened by the loss of Coach Walsh," said football-coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson, Aaron S. Lee. "He was instrumental in developing the modern-era of offensive football known commonly as the West Coast offense. Coach Walsh is synonymous with Bay-area football after his run with the 49ers and two stints with Stanford University. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the entire San Francisco football community."

Sportexe is the synthetic turf system used at the San Francisco 49ers' Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Centre.

ROUND ROCK, Texas. July 23, 2007--Company officials from FieldTurf-Tarkett announced today that FieldTurf Chief Executive Officer John Gilman died Monday morning, July 23. Exact cause of death has not been released.

According to FieldTurf.com, he had officially acted as CEO of FieldTurf since June 1995. Prior to officially joining FieldTurf, Gilman had been an active figure in the sports community. He was currently one of FieldTurf's primary shareholders.

"The synthetic turf industry lost a giant," said Sportexe CEO Mark Nicholls. "John Gilman was a pioneer, and Sportexe mourns his passing. All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire FieldTurf organization."

Funeral arrangements have been set for noon on Wednesday, July 25 at Paperman & Sons in Montréal, Quebec, Gilman's hometown.

Sportexe Remembers Coach Terry Hoeppner, Sends Condolences to Hoosier FamilyROUND ROCK, Texas. June 20, 2007--Indiana University head football coach Terry Hoeppner lost his battle with brain cancer on Tuesday in Bloomington, Ind., at age 59. Coach Hoeppner, who had become the savior of the Hoosiers' football program after a 19-year career at Miami (Ohio), had taken three medical leaves since doctors removed a tumor from his right temple in December 2005. Hired in December 2004 after a successful six-year run as head coach of the RedHawks which included back-to-back bowl games, the Indiana native brought new enthusiasm to Indiana University's once prominent athletic program. Hoeppner served as a catalyst for many school improvements from rebuilding relationships to refurbishing facilities. "Coach Hoeppner was indeed a great man," said football coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "I had the opportunity to visit with Coach Hoeppner on many occasions and was always amazed at his generosity and availability. He simply had a way of always making you feel welcome." Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is currently working diligently with Indiana University on two synthetic turf installations, including the football practice facility inside John Mellencamp Pavilion. "Our deepest condolences go out to the Hoeppners and the entire Hoosier family during this time of loss," said Lee. "Both Sportexe and I are extremely proud of the relationships we have forged with Indiana University and its staff, and I can assure you that Coach Hoeppner will be missed by all." Hoeppner is survived by his wife - Jane, three children -- Amy, Allison and Drew -- and four grandchildren -- Tucker, Spencer, Tate and Quinn.

Blue Jays use Sportexe Turf to Capture NCAA Championship

ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 30, 2007--Johns Hopkins claimed its ninth NCAA men's lacrosse title Monday, with a 12-11 victory over powerhouse Duke in front of a record-setting crowd of 48,443 fans for the championship final at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The NCAA Men's Championship returned to M&T Bank Stadium and its Sportexe synthetic turf system on Memorial Day Weekend after hosting the event in both 2003 and 2004. A record 52,004 attended the Division I semifinals on Saturday.

Johns Hopkins not only captured its title on Sportexe, but the Blue Jays also played its entire 2007 home schedule at Homewood Field, which also features Sportexe turf. In fact Sportexe has been good to the Blue Jays (13-4) this season as they went 8-3 on Sportexe turf.

"We feel very fortunate to have won the national championship on Monday," said Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse coach Dave Pietramala. "Our familiarity with M&T Bank Stadium and the Sportexe system in place there was no small factor in our success. We are thrilled with the Sportexe surface we had installed at Homewood Field. It is not only a state-of-the-art playing surface, it has significantly enhanced the look of our facility."

Johns Hopkins was one of four Sportexe clients, including Loyola College (Maryland), University of Albany and University of Maryland-Baltimore County, to reach the NCAA Division I 16-team postseason bracket in 2007. The Blue Jays, which also co-hosted the NCAA Championship, entered the semifinals on Saturday along with Cornell, Delaware and Duke.

The Blue Jays defeated Delaware 8-3 in semifinal action on Saturday, as Duke defeated previously unbeaten Cornell 12-11 to advance to the finals that afternoon.Johns Hopkins captured the title in 2005 and has won the event eight times. Johns Hopkins is the only team to have made the championship bracket every year except 1971 – 36 times.

"We had a great crowd on hand for some great lacrosse action this weekend," said NCAA tournament director Marty Schwartz. "The City of Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium and the Sportexe turf system showed why this location should be a regular site to host this event."

"Obviously Sportexe is extremely proud of Johns Hopkins for its success this season and we are thrilled to be underfoot of a championship program," said Sportexe Director of Lacrosse John Burke. "But Sportexe is also extremely proud of the entire sport of lacrosse for continuing its unparalleled growth and success. Sportexe is genuinely excited to play such a vital role in this year's lacrosse championship series and will continue to make huge strides in providing the best synthetic turf systems available for lacrosse and all other sports."

In March, M&T Bank Stadium hosted the inaugural Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic on Sportexe turf to kick off the college lacrosse season with Sportexe also presenting the player of the game awards for the doubleheader event. Four elite college teams, including Johns Hopkins, met in the inaugural Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic over the weekend that drew the largest crowd to watch a regular-season match when 20,180 attended.

Sportexe turf systems, the exclusive surface of the NLL, are designed to enhance performance and meet the rigorous requirements for the sport of lacrosse. Sportexe is also the lacrosse turf system at Boys' Latin School of Maryland, which has spent the past two seasons ranked No. 1 nationally in prep lacrosse.

Boston to Play Home Games at TD Banknorth Garden on Sportexe

ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 23, 2007--Three days before the Rochester Knighthawks defeated the Arizona Sting, 13-11, on Sportexe synthetic turf at Arizona's Jobing.com Arena in the 2007 National Lacrosse League Championship on May 12, the NLL announced it had awarded a franchise to Boston for the 2008 season.

The Boston team becomes the league's 14th franchise, and will play its home games at TD Banknorth Garden, the home arena of the NHL's Boston Bruins and the NBA's Boston Celtics. As the official turf system of the NLL, Sportexe will also be featured as expansion team's home surface.

"Our league and its member clubs are excited to be in Boston," said Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We have a lot of NLL fans throughout New England, and they will now have a team of their own."

The ownership group will be led by Tim Armstrong, President of Advertising and Commerce for Google. Armstrong is also a former lacrosse player at Connecticut College, where he was a defenseman and team captain. Armstrong is joined by brother, John, who serves as the team's managing owner.

"Tim and I are excited about January when we put down the turf and the team takes the field," said John Armstrong. "We have been impressed with Sportexe's latest products and development and look forward to building a great partnership with them in the future."

Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is the exclusive turf provider for the NLL, Major Indoor Soccer League, Arena Football League and arenafootball2. Sportexe has solid relationship within the lacrosse community and will be featured at the 2007 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship to be held at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, on Memorial Day Weekend.

In March, M&T Bank Stadium hosted the inaugural Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic on Sportexe turf to kick off the college lacrosse season with Sportexe also presenting the player of the game awards for the doubleheader event.

"Sportexe is excited to not only see the further growth of the NLL, but also play a vital role in its ongoing development," said Sportexe Director of Lacrosse John Burke. "Sportexe makes a commitment to quality and performance in every synthetic turf system it manufactures and installs, and Boston lacrosse fans can expect the very best from both the NLL and Sportexe for the 2008 season."

Sportexe Solidifies Lacrosse Commitment, Sponsors Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic Player of the Game Awards

ROUND ROCK, Texas. Feb. 5, 2007 - On March 3 at M&T Bank Stadium, in what could be a precursor to the 2007 NCAA national championship to be hosted at M&T during Memorial Day weekend, the top four teams in the nation will meet in the inaugural lacrosse Face-Off Classic and Sportexe will be right there.

Sportexe will not only be underfoot of the nation's elite lacrosse teams with its Momentum® synthetic turf system at M&T, but it will also be presenting the players of the game honors during both games. Sportexe's involvement with the Face-Off Classic is just one of many relationship-building initiatives spurred by the global turf leader.

What makes this event such a milestone is that every NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship since 1991 has been won by the four teams participating in this event. Virginia, Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Princeton enter the season ranked 1-4 respectively with Virginia serving as not only the No. 1 seed, but also the defending national champion.

"Inside Lacrosse is excited to have Sportexe involved in the first-ever Face-Off Classic," said Andy Bilello, Director of Business Development for Inside Lacrosse. "This event is all about creating new opportunities for lacrosse players and fans to experience this great game on a larger stage. Thanks to partners like Sportexe, our vision will soon become reality."

On Feb. 2, Sportexe announced that former lacrosse standout John Burke, an award-winning player at Guilford College and Greensboro College's all-time winningest coach (1990-1995), was named its Director of Lacrosse.

"I am proud to represent Sportexe for the sport of lacrosse," said Burke, who will present the awards on behalf of Sportexe. "I feel that my 20 years of experience will give me an edge in providing an honest insight into synthetic turf for the sport. There is some exciting news surrounding Sportexe within the lacrosse community and our involvement with the Face-Off Classic is just one example of our commitment to furthering our already strong relationship."

Sportexe turf systems are designed to enhance performance and meet the rigorous requirements for the sport of lacrosse. Clients include National Lacrosse League members Toronto Rock, Calgary Roughnecks, Rochester Knighthawks, Arizona Sting, San Jose Stealth, Minnesota Swarm, Philadelphia Wings Colorado Mammoth, Portland Jax and Edmonton Rush. Other clients include 2005 national champion Johns Hopkins, 2006 No.1-ranked Boys' Latin School of Maryland and University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

Desert West Soccer Complex and Las Vegas Motor Speedway Discover Benefits of Sportexe Synthetic Turf Systems

ROUND ROCK, Texas, May 26, 2006 --In the Desert Southwest, synthetic turf has been a blessing for obvious reasons (weather resistance, low maintenance, year-round application, water savings). But with the heat of summer right around the corner, an overwhelming number of facilities in these climate demanding areas are seeking more than just the basics from their systems - and finding it with Sportexe.

Among them are the Desert West Soccer Complex (Phoenix, AZ), the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, City of Phoenix, Flagstaff's Cromer Elementary School, Pueblo Pintado High School (Crowpoint, NM), Tucson Magnet High School (Tucson, AZ) and Saddle Mountain High School (Tonopah Valley, AZ) - and those are just a few lined up for 2006.

"We're finding an increasing number of customers doing intense research on synthetic turf systems and preferring what we provide - sewn seams, four-ply backing with a thicker and higher quality fiber," said Mark Nicholls, company president and founder. "They (these qualities) translate to a longer turf life and a more natural, safer surface."

Among the installations Sportexe has scheduled for 2006 in the desert states are repeat customers, including the City of Phoenix. Sportexe installed its first system for the City last year; pleased with the company's customer service and product quality, the City opted for two more Sportexe fields.

Similarly, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, impressed with the Sportexe turf it installed last year, opted to purchase more this year.

"It's a great resource - and the process of getting it was a great experience." A.K. Johnson, North Point HS Athletic Director

ROUND ROCK, Texas, June 14, 2006- In Waldorf, Md. there's great football to watch - on a great surface. At least that's what North Point High School Athletic Director A.K. Johnson thinks after 2,800 people came to see its freshman football team play on new Sportexe turf.

Like many other Northeast schools, the new science technology public high school chose a Sportexe synthetic turf system after being exposed to it at M&T Bank Stadium (home of the Baltimore Ravens) and numerous other facilities around the region. Sportexe's customer list in the Maryland area alone includes Johns Hopkins University (two Sportexe systems), the University of Maryland Baltimore County, the Boys' Latin School of Maryland (two Sportexe systems) and Baltimore Lutheran School as well as several others.

"We were impressed with the quality of the Ravens' field when we were researching systems - and now that our field is installed, the quality is even better than we expected," said Johnson, who noted that the field will be used for soccer and other sports in addition to football. "The whole make-up of the field, its safety features, appearance, markings, sand/rubber ratio - all of it - is impressive," added Johnson. "It's a great selling point for the school."

Johnson said he anticipates numerous athletes at the local, regional and state level will be exposed to the new turf, as the school is growing from its current seventh through ninth grade enrollment to include 10th-12th grades in the next three years. "It's a great resource - and the process of getting it was a great experience," he added.

According to company president Mark Nicholls, "Synthetic turf is being rapidly adopted in the Northeast and in other areas for obvious reasons: year-round accessibility, weather resistance, multi-sport use and low maintenance,."

"Beyond the obvious, customers are increasingly realizing there are quality differences in turf products. They want what we can offer: thicker fiber, thicker backing, sewn seams, better traction...details that enhance the life and performance of the field - and its safety." added Nicholls.

ROUND ROCK, Texas. March 26, 2007 - Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry and official turf provider for both the Arena Football League and arenafootball2, has been named by af2 as its official coach of the year award for the upcoming 2007 season beginning March 29.

The Sportexe Coach of the Year award names the industry's top football-coaching leaders at all levels of football, including high school, collegiate and professional from both indoor and outdoor leagues throughout America, Canada and Europe.

"We're excited about this new addition to our already existing relationship with Sportexe," af2 President Jerry Kurz said. "The af2's current group of coaches is the strongest we've ever had and we're very fortunate to now have a top-notch, year-end award to recognize our league's best of the best."

af2 began in 2000 as the AFL's developmental league and has quickly flourished fielding 30 teams for the upcoming season. The rules are the same as for the parent league and the season will run through July with the ArenaCup, af2's championship game, held in August.

"We are definitely proud of our association with af2," said Doug Pullin, Sportexe AFL and af2 Project Sales Manager. "We have been involved with af2 since its inaugural season eight years ago and it has been a tremendous working relationship that has only gotten better each year. The success and longevity of the league is a direct reflection of all those associated with af2."

Past Sportexe COY winners include John Fox and Sean Payton of the NFL, Tom Higgins and Wally Buono of the CFL and Art Briles, David Bennett and Bill O'Boyle of the NCAA.

"This is a perfect fit," said Aaron S. Lee, national football-coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson referring to the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year announcement. "Not only does Sportexe already have a long-lasting relationship with af2 from a business standpoint, but also the Sportexe COY is quickly recognized as a new benchmark in football-coaching performance and recognition. We leave no stone unturned in our selection process and the af2 has an extremely deep pool of stellar coaching talent waiting to be acknowledged."

Sportexe synthetic turf systems can be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with many of the top NCAA sports programs such as the University of California-Berkeley, UC-Davis, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Alabama, University of Maryland, LSU and Tulane.

Canada's Globe & Mail Newspaper recently ran a story about Sportexe's Turf TV. Read the story here !