IRVING, TEXAS: February 12, 2008-- Sportexe Construction Services of Irving, TX recently acquired a $10 million line of credit from Wells Fargo Business Credit, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The transaction was negotiated through Insight Equity of Dallas, TX, owners of Sportexe beginning February 2007.
Wells Fargo Business Credit is a leading provider of asset based lending, factoring and debtor-in-possession financing. John Wattinger of Wells Fargo Business Credit is pleased with the transaction. "We are excited to close the Sportexe transaction," he said. "I have worked with Insight Equity on a number of deals and feel comfortable with the leadership and direction that Insight Equity provides. I believe that Sportexe management is heading in the right direction and will remain a major player in the synthetic turf industry for many years to come."
Sportexe Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Noe is equally pleased with the completion of the transaction. "All of us at Sportexe are very pleased with our new relationship with Wells Fargo both for the financial flexibility they provide as well as their endorsement of our current financial position and the confidence in our plan going forward. We look forward to a long relationship."
New Orleans – When the Louisiana State University Bayou Tigers recently defeated Ohio State University in New Orleans' legendary Superdome, all of the action took place on a Sportexe® synthetic turf system.
The indoor stadium's record crowd of 79,651, along with a national television audience, saw LSU come back from an early deficit to defeat the Buckeyes for the BCS Championship. The game was contested on a playing surface highlighted by tufted five-yard lines, inlaid numbers and hash marks. Additional field markings, such as center and end zone logos were painted.
After the turf was installed, it was filled with a mixture of rounded silica sand and SBR rubber. While the Sportexe system is normally installed over a compacted crushed stone base, the field in the Superdome was installed over a concrete base.
Sportexe turf has been the playing surface at the Superdome for several years, and is used primarily by the National Football League's New Orleans Saints. The extremely durable field, which is tufted into multiple layers of backing, is also used by Tulane University and several local high schools. The 2004 BCS Championship was also played on Sportexe synthetic turf.
The Superdome, which was renovated following Hurricane Katrina, was originally completed in 1975. It has hosted more NFL Super Bowls than any other sports facility, and this year's BCS Championship was the third to be played in the mammoth venue. It also serves as host to the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Bowl and the annual Bayou Classic, a gridiron contest between Grambling State and Southern University.
LSU might have had a hidden edge in this year's BCS Championship, although an explosive offense and tenacious defense might have played the major role in the Tiger's victory. The Baton Rouge, LA campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.
Although LSU, this year's BCS Champions, had an explosive offense and tenacious defense, the hidden edge may have been the campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.
CenturyTel Center in Bossier City to Host af2 Championship Game
ROUND ROCK, Texas-For the second time in the past three seasons, the CenturyTel Center, home to arenafootball2's Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings will host the af2's league championship game. ArenaCup8, presented by Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, will be played on Saturday, Aug. 25 in Bossier City, La.
Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is proud to announce its involvement as the official playing surface of ArenaCup8. The CenturyTel Center, an SMG managed facility and former host of ArenaCup6 in 2005, is a 270,000 square-foot facility featuring Sportexe synthetic turf systems and accommodates up to 14,000 patrons for a variety of entertainment experiences.
"Sportexe and af2 have enjoyed a special relationship since the league's inception eight years ago," said national football-coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "To see this league grow to 30 teams and continue to offer one of the best professional sporting experiences in the U.S. is a true testament to fine people that represent af2."
Sportexe continues to solidify its status as the top professional indoor synthetic turf provider in North America as the official and exclusive synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for the af2 and its big brother the Arena Football League, as well as the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League. Sportexe synthetic turf system clients also include the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, S.F. 49ers, Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA's LSU, Cal, Alabama, Tulane and Southern Miss.
"We're fortunate to be playing our 2007 championship event again on the top-level Sportexe synthetic turf field at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier-Shreveport, La.," af2 President Jerry Kurz said. "I feel confident that the field will be in immaculate shape for our season-ending, showcase event."
This year Sportexe takes its relationship with af2 one step further as it proudly serves as the league's official coach of the year award. Sportexe will recognize the top head coach for the 2007 season at the af2 championship game.
"Sportexe is proud to be underfoot of the league's two best teams at ArenaCup8," said Lee. "And equally excited to acknowledge the league's top coach with the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award."
This will be the third straight season the af2 has held a neutral-site ArenaCup championship game and tickets for the 2007 ArenaCup can be purchased by calling 888-277-5526.
ROUND ROCK, Texas. September 21, 2007--The Harpeth Hall School will celebrate its first home soccer game on its new state-of-the-art Sportexe synthetic turf playing field on Wednesday, September 26 in the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex. A special ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. on the field, just before the 7 p.m. kickoff.
With the selection of Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, Harpeth Hall is the state's first girls school to install a synthetic playing surface. Additionally, it is the first school – girls, boys or coed – in Tennessee to install a synthetic field specifically for soccer and lacrosse, according to Ronnie Carter, executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
Sportexe synthetic turf systems are specifically designed for the unique criteria of each individual sport through the Sportexe Center for Research and Development.
"Athletics, like academics, arts, community service and leadership opportunities, is an integral part of creating a well-rounded student," said Ann Teaff, Head of School. "At Harpeth Hall, we are committed to providing the very best in facilities for our student-athletes."
The new 94,000-square foot Sportexe field was provided in memory of long-time Harpeth Hall teacher and coach, Dugan Davis, by her son Joe C. Davis, a loyal school supporter and sports enthusiast. Dugan Davis was the school's first soccer coach.
"I am delighted that I could continue to honor my mother," said Davis. "Harpeth Hall has a long history of providing an absolutely unparalleled athletic program for girls in this region, and I hope this field will provide lots of benefits for the athletes and the School."
"In discussions about installing a synthetic field for our athletic program and physical education classes, we examined the safety, performance, and durability of this product," added Ms. Teaff.
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA's Cal-Berkeley, Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Pittsburgh. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League.
"This field underscores the fact that the Bears are serious about sports," said varsity soccer coach Tiffany Watson. "And we are committed to supporting championship levels of competition, not just in Middle Tennessee, but throughout the state and even the country."
DALLAS--Following its acquisition in the first quarter of 2007 by private investment firm Insight Equity, Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry for the past 18 years, has undergone an extensive review of its operations with a view to enhancing cost effectiveness and functional efficiency.
This review has resulted in several changes at Sportexe, including an enhanced focus on project management, direct customer contact and improving the overall experience of making an investment in a synthetic turf system.
Consistent with this focus, Sportexe has announced the establishment of a new corporate headquarters and consolidation of its primary executive, financial and operational functions in Dallas, Texas. Sportexe's Round Rock, Texas, facility will be relocated and all functions previously located there will be transferred to the new corporate headquarters in Dallas.
Sportexe will continue to have a long-term presence in Canada where the concentration will remain on the golf, indoor sports, and other specialized turf applications. Sportexe's Calhoun, Georgia, facility will continue to host the research and development, warehousing and field assembly functions. In addition, Insight Equity has announced the appointment of Sportexe's current President, Stephen Noe, to the post of Chief Executive Officer. This appointment follows the departure of founder and former CEO, Mark Nicholls, who leaves Sportexe to pursue other endeavors.
"The Dallas location was selected due to its proximity to superior airport facilities and its central U.S. location," said Noe. "This will enable an increased interaction with our client base during all aspects of the turf selection and installation process, all of which are designed to provide a superior buying experience."
Noe joined Sportexe in July of 2007. Prior to this he was Group Vice President at Day International, a $400 million provider of products to the printing industry. Before Day, he was employed at FMC Corporation, a $5 billion company, as Business Director for the Phosphorus Chemical Division.
Sportexe, which can be found underfoot of many of the world's elite athletes, will continue to focus on its areas of core competency, in particular athletic applications and the aviation turf market, while it ramps up its corporate and U.S. operations functions in the Dallas headquarters.
"This is an exciting time for Sportexe," added Noe. "The synthetic turf industry is undergoing unprecedented growth globally and this acquisition simply solidifies the Sportexe commitment to offering competitive products and pricing while raising the bar on industry standards and practices."
Insight Equity Holdings, based in Southlake, Texas, is a private equity firm that makes control investments in strategically strong, middle-market companies that have the potential for significant industry growth. Insight's experienced principals, who themselves are the second-largest investors in their own fund, have acquired and managed businesses with over $3B in aggregate revenue since 1998.
Insight's current fund has $280 million in capital with significant assets in reserve, available for investment in new or existing portfolio companies.
ROUND ROCK, Texas. September 21, 2007--The Harpeth Hall School will celebrate its first home soccer game on its new state-of-the-art Sportexe synthetic turf playing field on Wednesday, September 26 in the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex. A special ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. on the field, just before the 7 p.m. kickoff.
With the selection of Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, Harpeth Hall is the state's first girls school to install a synthetic playing surface. Additionally, it is the first school – girls, boys or coed – in Tennessee to install a synthetic field specifically for soccer and lacrosse, according to Ronnie Carter, executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
Sportexe synthetic turf systems are specifically designed for the unique criteria of each individual sport through the Sportexe Center for Research and Development.
"Athletics, like academics, arts, community service and leadership opportunities, is an integral part of creating a well-rounded student," said Ann Teaff, Head of School. "At Harpeth Hall, we are committed to providing the very best in facilities for our student-athletes."
The new 94,000-square foot Sportexe field was provided in memory of long-time Harpeth Hall teacher and coach, Dugan Davis, by her son Joe C. Davis, a loyal school supporter and sports enthusiast. Dugan Davis was the school's first soccer coach.
"I am delighted that I could continue to honor my mother," said Davis. "Harpeth Hall has a long history of providing an absolutely unparalleled athletic program for girls in this region, and I hope this field will provide lots of benefits for the athletes and the School."
"In discussions about installing a synthetic field for our athletic program and physical education classes, we examined the safety, performance, and durability of this product," added Ms. Teaff.
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA's Cal-Berkeley, Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Pittsburgh. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League.
"This field underscores the fact that the Bears are serious about sports," said varsity soccer coach Tiffany Watson. "And we are committed to supporting championship levels of competition, not just in Middle Tennessee, but throughout the state and even the country."
ROUND ROCK, Texas. September 20, 2007--The Binghamton University women's soccer team opened its new Bearcat Sports Complex in front of a record crowd on Tuesday night. The $4.2 million facility utilizes not one, but two Sportexe synthetic turf fields. Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is now the official game and practice surface for Binghamton's men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams.
Sophomore midfielder Chelsea Berry knocked in a rebound from two yards out 41 seconds into the first overtime lifting visiting Syracuse to a 2-1 over Binghamton.
"Syracuse is a very good team ... well-coached and regionally-ranked," Bearcats head coach Jeff Leightman said. "I thought we battled hard and could've had a better result. But tonight was a very good night for our team, with the great atmosphere. The fans were terrific. We have to keep believing and moving forward. Good things are going to happen."
The Bearcat Sports Complex includes a pair of synthetic turf field, one for games and one designed for practices. Field dimensions (125x75) for both installations are identical. Seating capacity at the playing field is 2,534 while the practice field will have seating for 1,000. Both fields have lighting designed for night games and practices. The game field also houses a press box and there also exists a concession building with restrooms between the two fields.
The official dedication for the new complex is on October 6 when Binghamton's men's soccer team hosts Boston University at 7 p.m. – the Bearcats' opening game of the America East Conference schedule.
Binghamton next hosts LIU at 6 p.m. on Saturday
ROUND ROCK, Texas. September 18, 2007--The Edmond Independent School District, located just north of Oklahoma City, operates three four-year high schools: Memorial, North and Santa Fe. The schools, housing more than 20,000 students combined, are accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. A broad curriculum and high scholastic standards are the foundation of the system's strong high school program.
In fact, the Edmond ISD is the highest performing academically in the state and the fourth largest in Oklahoma. So when it came to choosing the best and most technologically advanced turf available for each of its three schools, the Edmond ISD looked no further than Sportexe.
"We researched synthetic turf and synthetic turf companies for more than three years before we made a decision on which system was right for us. We only took bids from the top three synthetic turf companies and Sportexe was clearly the best choice." said Bret Towne, Edmond ISD Associate Superintendent of Operations. "Our Sportexe field was great when it was first installed and it is even better now as our G-Max levels are perfect."
Sportexe synthetic turf systems installed at the three stadiums, hosts more than 75 scheduled games and matches combined. The events include: middle school, ninth grade and junior varsity football, ninth-12th grade boys and girls soccer, along with marching band practice. Not to mention varsity football, which plays home games on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, uses the Sportexe fields each day during the season for practice as well.
"Sportexe provides a safer playing surface and is more cost effective than natural surfaces," said Towne. "Not to mention, we are involved with 25-30 million in construction each year with our schools and our Sportexe turf installation has been the most positively talked about project in our community."
"The feeling of pride in our community from these fields is amazing," added Mike Nunley, Edmond ISD Director of Athletics. "We now lead the state in facility improvements as we took three already good facilities and turned them into something state of the art."
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City of Doral Selects Four Sportexe Synthetic Turf Fields for City Park
DORAL, Fla. August 10, 2007--The City of Doral recently dedicated Doral Meadows Park Phase II - which includes two Sportexe synthetic turf pitches - along with thousands of enthusiastic football and soccer players, coaches, citizens and community leaders.
The park, located off 58th Street adjacent to the Florida Turnpike, includes two lighted baseball fields, bleachers, a shade-covered playground, concession/restroom building and ample parking. Phase II improvements added one Sportexe synthetic turf football field and one Sportexe multipurpose soccer/football field. Both fields are illuminated with the Musco Light Structure GreenTM system and are accessible from new walkways. Protective shade-covered spectator bleachers, a picnic pavilion, exercise trail with fitness equipment and native landscaping round out the project.
During the past three months, the City has dedicated four lighted Sportexe sports fields within the City of Doral: two at Doral Park and two new fields at Doral Meadows Park. With no downtime for weather conditions or maintenance, the fields are readily available for extended year-round and night use.
"The longterm maintenance benefits of installing Sportexe synthetic turf will be extremely beneficial to the City of Doral," said Recreational Design and Construction's Ariel Guitian, project manager. "Sportexe is a great company with great people. The City of Doral will be happy with these facilities for a long, long time."
Doral Park features two lighted soccer fields designed with Sportexe synthetic turf, three lighted basketball courts, two lighted sand volleyball courts, walking path with 10 station Vita Course, picnic shelters, large ADA accessible playground with shade canopy, lighted tennis courts, 5,000-square foot Recreation Center Building, parking for 152 cars, open play areas, landscaping and perimeter fencing, scoreboard for all sports and a central plaza for gathering with neighbors.
"This has been a team effort with RDC," said Sportexe representative Joe Simpson. "Our working relationship with RDC is great as is our relationship with the City of Doral."
ROUND ROCK, Texas. August 13, 2007--The University of Florida is expanding its existing weight room facility located inside Ben Hill Griffen Stadium at Florida Field from 7,500 square feet to more than 22,000, and have chosen Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, for its new indoor sprint surface.
The turf installation, set for January 2008, is a small part of a $12 million renovation to offices, meeting rooms, weight room, interactive exhibition/reception area, Gator Room and support space for the football program.
"This project adds a new dimension to our strength and conditioning program," said Greg McGarity, Senior Associate Athletics Director of Internal Affairs. "We are extremely proud of the success of our student-athletes and this expansion project is proof of our continued commitment to our entire athletic program."
Throughout the past year, 10 of the 18 Florida athletic programs finished in the top 10 nationally, including a national championship in football and a second-straight national title in men's basketball. Gators baseball won a national title in 2005.
"All of our sports, especially football, base much of its training to speed work," said McGarity. "Now we can offer all our student-athletes a designated area to train – rain or shine."
Sportexe incorporates the finest technology in its industry-leading, high-performance synthetic turf systems. Sportexe turf is a superior surface designed to maximize performance and safety.
"Sportexe more than met the requirements for this project," said project architect Marty Miller of RDG Planning and Design. "This will be an important installation for the University of Florida athletic department."
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the NCAA's Cal-Berkeley, Indiana, Alabama, Southern Miss and Pitt. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the AFL, af2, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League.
