Grey Cup Champs Make Gee-Gees' Nicolson Team's Top Choice at CFL Draft

ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 4, 2007-With its first pick, ninth overall, in the 2007 Canadian Football League Draft, The reigning Grey Cup-champion British Columbia Lions selected University of Ottawa wide receiver Adam Nicolson (North Bay, Ont.), making it the first time since 2004 that a member of the Gee-Gees football team has been drafted in the opening round.

Sportexe CFL Coach of the Year winner Wally Buono selected Nicolson, a 6-foot-4, 219-pound biology student, who played a vital role for Ottawa under Sportexe CIS Coach of the Year Denis Piché in 2006.

The Gee-Gees recorded its best regular season record in the Ontario University Athletics conference (7-1) and the Yates Cup championship, both firsts since Ottawa re-joined the conference in 2001.

The Gee-Gees, which play at Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park featuring Sportexe synthetic turf, had the best overall defense in the country allowing only 97 points in conference play - and with Nicolson's help - led the OUA on offense with 276 points scored. Ottawa topped all OUA schools with 11 conference all-star selections.

Nicolson was Ottawa's leading receiver in 2006 hauling in 45 passes for 727 yards and three touchdowns. He caught a timely 43-yard touchdown pass at Laurier in week 2 as the Gee-Gees handed the then-defending Vanier Cup champions their first loss in three years.

"Adam is a tough, physical and gifted receiver," said Buono, who also earned the league's official Scotiabank CFL Coach of the Year award in 2006. "He's the type of player who would prefer to run through you than around you and he's what we want in BC."

Nicolson's performance peaked in the playoffs, leading Ottawa in receiving averaging 69 yards per game in the post-season. He was the Gee-Gees' top receiver in the 2006 Mitchell Bowl against the University of Saskatchewan, hauling in six catches for 109-yards and a touchdown.

"I am very pleased for Adam that he was selected in the first round of the draft," said Piché. "We projected him as a potential first rounder because of his skill and dedication to continually improve himself. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a solid young man."

Other members of the Gee-Gees football team who were selected in the 2007 draft include fourth year offensive lineman Kyle Kirkwood (Sudbury, Ont.) (5th round, 40th overall) by the Lions and projected transfer student from Queen's University Ian Hazlett (5th round, 38th overall) who was selected by Calgary.

Other 2006 Sportexe Coach of the Year alumni include: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints (NFL); Art Briles, Houston (NCAA Division I-A); David Bennett, Coastal Carolina (NCAA Division I-AA); Bill O'Boyle, Chadron State (NCAA Division II); Frank Miriello, Washington & Lee (NCAA Division III); Dino Kaklis, Bethel College (NAIA); Brad Franchione, Blinn College (Junior College); Bill Redell, Westlake Village-Oaks Christian (High School); Todd Bernett, Vancouver College (Canadian High School).

Sportexe, which also announces winners of its Arena Football League and NFL Europa awards later this year, is the official coach of the year award for arenafootball2 to be presented during ArenaCup8 to be held in Bossier City, La., on Aug. 25.

"Adam Nicolson and Kyle Kirkwood will certainly strengthen the Lions' grip on the CFL's Grey Cup," said football insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "Coach Piché does a remarkable job of preparing his young athletes for the next level, whether it's the game of professional football or the game of life. And this job has not gone unnoticed by Sportexe or Coach Buono and the B.C. Lions."

ROUND ROCK, Texas-Just weeks after serving as the official playing surface of the 2007 Major Indoor Soccer League's Championship Game, Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, will once again receive black-tie honors as the official turf system of the 2007 National Lacrosse League Championship presented by Edge Active Care on May 12.

Sportexe, the exclusive turf provider for both the MISL and NLL, is the home surface for the Arizona Sting at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz., the site of the NLL championship game, to be nationally televised live on the Versus Network on Saturday, May 12 at 4PM Eastern/1PM Pacific.

"We're pleased to able to play NLL games on Sportexe surfaces, including the 2007 championship game," said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "Most importantly Sportexe designs high quality surfaces with player safety as a top priority, and additionally, Sportexe turf looks great at the arena and on television."

The Arizona Sting defeated the San Jose Stealth, 9-7 in the Western Divisional Final to earn their second trip to the NLL championship game in three years. Arizona will face the Rochester Knighthawks, which defeated the Buffalo Bandits14-13 in overtime in the Eastern Divisional Final to earn their trip to the championship game.

"Sportexe is extremely proud of its relationships within the sporting industry and our relationship with the NLL is no exception," 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 lacrosse fans can expect the very best from both the NLL and Sportexe at this year's NLL Championship."

CenturyTel Center 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. April, 19, 2007-The Detroit Ignition will host the Philadelphia KiXX at Compuware Sports Arena in Major Indoor Soccer League's championship game to be held Saturday, April 21. Compuware Sports Arena, featuring Sportexe synthetic turf systems and regular-season home to the Ignition, is located in Plymouth, Mich.

The expansion Ignition earned its championship slot in the one-game final with a come-from-behind win at home over the Milwaukee Wave 10-8 in game two of their semifinal series, then taking the tiebreaker 2-0.

"We are very proud of what Detroit has accomplished in such a short period of time," said Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "To earn a berth in a league championship game in its inaugural season and vie for a world title is something to be extremely proud of, and Sportexe is thrilled to be underfoot of these fine athletes."

The MISL Championship Series Final will be the sixth since the KiXX defeated the Wave 2-1 in the league's debut season and will be nationally televised on VERSUS to a potential audience of over 72 million homes. This marks the first-ever nationally televised soccer match originating from Compuware Sports Arena.

"We are honored and excited to be selected to host the 2007 MISL Championship Series Final," stated Greg Bibb, president of the Detroit Ignition. "We look forward to bringing the League's marquee event to Compuware Sports Arena as a finale to our inaugural season in the MISL. We're eager to present a first-class sports entertainment experience to not only the fans in the arena, but to our fans around the country on VERSUS."

The series is tied at 3-3 for the regular season with the Ignition winning the final two games.

In 2001, the National Professional Soccer League disbanded with the six surviving teams forming the MISL. In 2002, the MISL absorbed both the Dallas Sidekicks and San Diego Sockers, two teams from the World Indoor Soccer League. The St. Louis Steamers, another former WISL team, joined the following year.

The current MISL recognizes NPSL history which dates back to 1984 when the NPSL was started as the American Indoor Soccer Association.

University of Albany -www.albany.eduUAlbany Sports MediaMarch 14, 2007

Baltimore, Md. March 14, 2007- After defeating its second top-10 opponent this season, UAlbany moved up to No. 2 nationally in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse (USILA) coaches' poll, the highest ranking in the program's history, and sixth in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll. The Great Danes, who are off to their best start as a Division I program with a 3-0 record, upended Delaware , 13-7, last Saturday.

UAlbany climbed two spots in the USILA rankings and advanced three positions in the media poll. Cornell (4-0) is the top-ranked team in both national polls.

The Great Danes are home on Tuesday against Massachusetts , last year's national runner-up. UAlbany travels to No. 19 Drexel on Saturday, March 17.

USILA Coaches' Top 20 Poll1. Cornell, 2. UAlbany, 3. Johns Hopkins , 4. Duke, 5. Navy, 6. Virginia , 7. Georgetown , 8. Syracuse , 9. Army, 10. Princeton , T11. Bucknell, T11. Maryland , 13. North Carolina , 14. Delaware , 15. Loyola , Md. , 16. Towson , 17. Yale, 18. Notre Dame, 19. Drexel, 20. Fairfield.

Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Top 20 Poll1. Cornell, 2. Virginia , 3. Johns Hopkins , 4. Navy, 5. Duke, 6. UAlbany, 7. Syracuse , 8. Georgetown , 9. Princeton , 10. Maryland , 11. North Carolina , 12. Loyola , Md. , 13. Army, 14. Bucknell, 15. Towson , 16. Notre Dame, 17. Delaware , 18. Yale, 19. UMBC, 20. Stony Brook.

DEVONSHIRE, Bermuda. March 7, 2007 - The Bermuda National Sports Centre located in Devonshire will play host to the Pan American Games field hockey qualifier with the USA men's national team facing off with Mexico for the final spot at this summer's Pan Am tournament in a best-of-three qualifying series beginning Thursday.

Both teams will meet in matches March 8-11 with the winner joining Argentina, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad & Tobago and host Brazil at the Pan American Games, July 15-25 in Rio de Janeiro. The Pan Am Games serve as the continental qualifier for the Olympic Games with the winner of the competition earning the continents automatic berth in Beijing in 2008.

The BNSC, which houses the only facility dedicated to field hockey in Bermuda, features the Sportexe synthetic turf system specifically designed for field hockey and "approved" by the F餥ration Internationale de Hockey (FIH). Sportexe is also the official synthetic turf provider for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA).

"What is achieved when you combine a world class tourism destination and a world class field hockey facility? You make available a destination that field hockey enthusiast from around the globe will flock to," said Bermuda Hockey Federation Vice President Grainne Sweeney. "The National Sports Centre through building the hockey playing facility with Sportexe engineering has enabled Bermuda to now be seriously looked upon by the outside world as world class sports destination. Bermuda, its people and the National Sports Centre should be very proud by its achievements to date and long may their hard work and vision continue."

The winner will not only advance to the Pan Am Games, but would also keep alive the team's Olympic qualifying hopes. Teams placing 2nd-5th at the Pan Am Games will earn spots in one of three six-team Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2008. The winners of each of the qualifying tournaments will advance to the Olympic Games.

ROUND ROCK, Texas. Feb. 16, 2007 - The first phase of the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix celebrates its grand opening today in what will eventually be the largest single-site sports complex in the state. It has 10 lighted soccer fields, including one Sportexe synthetic turf system, two playgrounds and 1,200 parking spaces.

The Reach 11 Sports Complex is the first major soccer complex of its kind in Phoenix and will provide a venue for local, regional and national competitions.

The city of Phoenix funded $11.5 million of the $16 million project. The city's Streets Transportation Department, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and the Bureau of Reclamation combined to fund field lighting, surrounding street improvements and the other recreational elements.

In the 2006 Bond Election, Phoenix voters approved $12 million for Phase 2. When completed the second phase of the complex will add 10 more soccer fields and, with the necessary funding, a 4,000-seat stadium and an all-weather running track.

"It is time and money well spent to build soccer facilities for the city," said Craig Edwards, Sportexe Southwest Projects Representative. "The entire Phoenix community should be very excited about this complex."

Sportexe recently received the first FIFA RECOMMENDED 2-Star rating in North America with its installation at Ottawa, Ontario's Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park, which gives the facility World Cup soccer-hosting capability.

Phoenix's first Sportexe field, an all-rubber infill system that carries the industry's highest safety rating, was installed at Desert West Soccer Park in June, 2005.

In addition to a grand-opening ceremony, which included a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Phil Gordon, followed by teams from Maryland, Virginia, England and the SC del Sol youth soccer club.

Olympic gold medalist Shannon MacMillan and Eric Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. men's national team, were on hand at the grand opening.

"This is a very exciting time for us," said Peggy Neely, City of Phoenix District 2 Councilwoman. "This facility is just gorgeous, especially the Sportexe field and I am very proud to be associated with this state-of-the-art athletic complex."

Neely has championed this project to develop civic pride and exposure to attract larger national youth sporting events.

"Our soccer fields are very important for several reasons," said Neely. "The economic impact gained from hosting premier functions will greatly boost our financial growth and overall visibility, plus this will also give our youth a chance to showcase their talent and commitment to the soccer community."

ROUND ROCK, Texas. Feb. 16, 2007 - The Pro Football Hall of Fame will be unveiling its first-ever exhibit dedicated to chronicling the past, present and future of the Arena Football League on February 26. The AFL, which kicks off its 21st season on March 1 with 19 teams, is the nation's fastest growing sports league.

"The Arena Football League is a mature property that has experienced explosive growth in recent years," said Pro Football Hall of Fame President/Executive Director Steve Perry. "A true success story, the AFL has earned its place in pro football history and the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Since 2002, the AFL's total viewership has increased from 12 million viewers to 65 million, its team values from $12 to $20 million and its average per game attendance from 9,957 to 12,378. When combined with arenafootball2, the AFL's minor league, Arena Football will be played in 49 markets in 2007.

"There are many milestones for a growing sports league but I can't think of one that is more meaningful for our league than an exhibit in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said AFL Commissioner David Baker, who will participate in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Hall on Monday, February 19 with Perry.

The exhibit itself will feature both AFL historical and interactive elements that are designed to illustrate the league's fast-paced action. A large photomural of an AFL field will serve as the backdrop to a display that will feature a large video screen - which will play a continuous two-minute highlight loop - a display panel and two interactive touch screens that will host a variety of videos designed to communicate the league's past, present and future. The display will be built on real AFL turf provided by Sportexe and guests will be able to examine an official AFL football, jersey and helmet.

Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is the official turf provider for the AFL and af2.

Montreal. Feb.14, 2007 - BC Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono, the 2006 Sportexe CFL Coach of the Year, has been named as the CFL's Coach of the Year for the third time in his coaching career by 46 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC). Buono received 34 votes in winning the award which recognizes the commitment and efforts of head coaches across the league, with special honours going to the coach who most demonstrates exceptional leadership, discipline and dedication to excellence during the regular season. Winnipeg's Doug Berry received eight votes while Toronto's Michael "Pinball" Clemons received two votes (Calgary's Tom Higgins, the 2003 Sportexe CFL winner, and former Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett received one vote each).

"This is a tremendous honor on a personal level and a recognition of the outstanding of our entire coaching staff," said Buono. "The CFL Outstanding Player Awards, the all-star sections, the Grey Cup championship and this award certainly indicate that we enjoyed a lot of success in 2006 and we have set the bar pretty high for the season ahead."

The Buono-led Lions enjoyed one of the most dominating seasons in recent CFL history in 2006 racking up a 13-5 record during the regular season and then capping off the year with a 25-14 Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg this past November. The championship was Buono's fourth as a head coach and his first since joining the Lions.

Highly-respected among coaching peers, Buono has amassed a regular season record of 201-103-2, putting him second only to Don Matthews in all-time CFL wins. His consistency and success have been recognized with the CFL's Coach of the Year award in 1992 and 1993.

As Buono prepares for his fifth season as the Leos' sideline boss he does so with 49 regular season wins for a .680 winning percentage and trails only Don Matthews (56) and Vic Rapp (53) in all-time wins as Lions head coach.

ROUND ROCK, Texas. Feb. 6, 2007 - Middle Tennessee State University is just settling into its new Sportexe PowerBlade turf system, the first Sportexe monofilament synthetic turf system installation in the nation, but it is already being heralded by the Blue Raiders athletic training department as "the best turf system" MTSU has played on.

"It is the first turf that plays like real grass that I have been associated with during my 27 years in the business," said Joe-Joe Petrone, Director of Sports Medicine at MTSU and former athletic trainer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. "The surface provides great footing and is easy on the legs."

As with many new technologies, Sportexe faced early challenges during the installation process, but quickly attacked any hiccups to provide a playing surface of unparalleled performance and quality.

"Sportexe has been very responsive in dealing with any hurdles we have faced with our new turf system," said MTSU Athletics Director Chris Massaro. "We have received positive feedback from our coaching staff and players regarding quality and performance."

The Blue Raiders, the largest undergraduate institution in the state of Tennessee with 22,863, is coming off its best season in program history. The Blue Raiders had an incredible turnaround from a year ago by going 7-6 overall and winning a school record six Sun Belt Conference games to earn a share of the league title.

"If you would have told me at the beginning of the season we would be conference champs and playing in a bowl game on ESPN I would have taken it in a second," said first-year MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill. "These kids deserve all the credit for a great year because they overcame a lot, believed in each other, and made plays when they had to in order to win games. It was a great year that will help our program immensely in the future."

"I think we are off to a tremendous start," said Massaro, who in just over one year hired Stockstill and spearheaded facility upgrades. "We have made some tremendous strides this season which validates us as a Division I-A program, including three national television appearances."

Middle Tennessee also earned its first visit to a bowl game as a I-A member but an early 14-point deficit proved too much to overcome in a 31-14 setback to Central Michigan in front of 54,113 at the 10th annual Motor City Bowl at Detroit's Ford Field.

The Sportexe monofilament turf system features round edges that give the duo-tone "blades of grass" a softer and less abrasive feel. It is one of the softest and most durable products within the synthetic turf industry.

"Getting the new turf was extremely beneficial to our football program," said Stockstill, who captured both SBC and Tennessee Sports Writers Association coach of the year honors. "The turf provided us an edge at home because our players took a great deal of pride in the new synthetic surface and it has also impacted our recruiting as several players and families we have visited have brought it into the conversation. It is a great addition in the continuing upgrade of our facilities."

"The bottom line is that these kids are going to get hurt and they are going to bounce their heads off the field every game," concluded Petrone. "But the least we can do is give them the safest possible landing pad available and as far as I'm concerned that's Sportexe."