Canada's Globe & Mail Newspaper recently ran a story about Sportexe's Turf TV. Read the story here !
On Friday, Nov. 10 2006, Sportexe, an industry leader in synthetic turf systems, again created international buzz with a Forbes Magazine feature on what was referred to as "Turf TV".
The patented-product featured in the article fuses fiber optic technology with synthetic grass blades to create a virtual computer screen with interactive capabilities out of a normal playing surface. The purpose of "Turf TV" is to allow a trained field technician to manipulate light to instantly make changes to field markers, team logos and color schemes. Other possibilities include player tracking, instant replay and advertisement commercial viewing. The Endorsement revenue opportunities generated from on-field advertisements will be limitless.
"All these things are possible and realistic," said Sportexe CEO and President Mark Nicholls. "We have working prototypes and some of the best minds in the industry making this a reality."
Television brought the football field into the home. Now it's TV that's inside the field. Sportexe, a synthetic turf maker co-owned by former NFL honcho Art Modell, has created a playing surface that fuses fiber optics with synthetic turf. The result: an electronic field that projects stats, first-down markers, logos and video images just like your TV does.
"It can even show footfalls, so officials can tell if a player went out of bounds or not," says Sportexe CEO Mark Nicholls.
A few strokes on a keyboard can flip the field configuration from a gridiron to a soccer pitch, or swap logos when teams share the same stadium. At $1.5 million, the techie turf is about three times as pricy as a standard artificial field, but owners can recoup the cost by saving on maintenance (no lines or logos to paint) and by charging for on-the-grass advertising.
The downside? No remotes for the fans.
** Originally published in the February issue of ESPN Magazine.
Sportexe, which has installations in the New Orleans Superdome and the Baltimore Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium, recently made international headlines after receiving the only FIFA 2-Star RECOMMENDED field in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) from world soccer governing body FIFA.
"This is a very exciting time for Sportexe," said Nicholls. "It is an honor to be featured in Forbes. We waited four years in silence developing the technology and waiting for the patent before we would talk to anyone and risk losing our idea and it has been two years since received our patent on this.
"Turf TV" has been in development for five years and has yet to receive a release date for commercialization.
Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year
San Jose's Kevin Guy Changes Leagues, Not Success
ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 8, 2007- The San Jose SaberCats recorded seven touchdown passes and one on the ground to capture its third straight win with a Mark Grieb threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another lifting the San Jose SaberCats (6-3) to their third straight win with a 56-49 decision over the Arizona Rattlers in an Arena Football League game Saturday night.
The win keeps the SaberCats in possession of first place in the AFL's Western Division.
Defensive end Ron Jones tallied his seventh sack of the season and just the second of Bonner this season. He now has four sacks in the last two games and he helped San Jose limit Arizona to just 245 yards of offense. This is the second straight game Jones has led the San Jose defense.
Last week, the SaberCats' defense forced five Utah turnovers and registered four sacks holding the Blaze to a season-low point total in a 69-48 at HP Pavilion.
The win sent San Jose to first place in the AFL's Western Division, and was the SaberCats' 10th straight regular victory dating back to the 2006 season at HP Pavilion, which features Sportexe - the exclusive and official synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for both the AFL and arenafootball2.
One reason for the last two San Jose wins is the play of former Southern Miss linebacker Ron Jones, which earned the defensive player of the week honors after setting team records with 3.0 quarterback sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, while matching the team mark with a pair of forced fumbles. He also added a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Jones led a defense that forced five Utah turnovers and held the league's highest scoring offense to its lowest point total of the year in a 69-48 win and broke the team single-game records that have stood since 2000.
However, the main reason for the SaberCats' defensive dominance has been the addition of defensive coordinator Kevin Guy two seasons ago. In his first year with the team, Guy's defense finished the regular season ranked in the top five of four defensive statistical categories. He directed a unit that forced 34 turnovers and ranked fourth in the league with a +7 turnover margin.
The SaberCats' rushing defense was impenetrable in 2006 allowing only 14.3 rushing yards per contest, and only allowed its opponents to score just 77.5 percent of the time, the seventh-best ranking in the league.
"We've got an exceptional core of defensive players that makes my job a little easier," said Guy. "My time in San Jose has been great and I am happy to be working with one of the greatest teams in the Arena Football League."
The former af2 head coach and 2003 Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year, still holds the record for most coaching victories in the history of af2. He registered 52 career wins and a .732 winning percentage while leading the Tennessee Valley Vipers (2002-04) and Rio Grande Valley Dorados (2005).
Guy, a former defensive back who played four years in the AFL, has coached an Ironman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year award winners while having 14 players earn All-af2 recognition.
"We've got one of the best defensive coaches in the game," said Jones. "He calls the right plays at the right time, we just have to go out there and make all the right executions."
"Kevin embeds his competitive nature and aggressiveness into all of our players," said San Jose head coach Darren Arbet. "He expects a high level of performance from each of them and his players continue to deliver when we need them to."
This season Guy's defense leads the AFL in red zone efficiency (71.8) and first downs allowed per game (18.1). The SaberCats' defense tied for third in sacks (10) and ranks third in third-down percentage (43.1). San Jose also ranks fifth in yards allowed per game (284.0)."We continue to go out and work hard every week in practice as we try to reach our goals and word towards the playoffs," said Guy. "Our productivity has increased from the beginning of the season, but we've still got a long way to go."
The first-place SaberCats travel to Arizona to face the Rattlers on Saturday, May 5 and return to HP Pavilion on Saturday May 12 to host the Las Vegas Gladiators.
"It's so rewarding to see one of the many Sportexe Coach of the Year alumni continue to prosper," said football insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "Sportexe certainly saw something special with Coach Guy in 2003, and those qualities that made Guy a success during his af2 days are certainly being utilized to make San Jose one of the AFL's premier teams and Guy one its top coaches."
Sportexe, which also names amateur and professional coach of the year winners throughout North America and Europe, will present the official Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award during ArenaCup8 to be held in Bossier City, La., on Aug. 25. The latest news headlines and coach profiles from af2 can be found by visiting www.sportexe.com.
Sportexe is currently underfoot of many of the nation's elite athletes from the NFL and NCAA, and is the exclusive turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League.
City of Doral Conducts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Public Sports Park
ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 4, 2007-The Honorable Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez and the Doral City Council cordially invited all community residents to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of Doral Park on Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m.
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 Recreation Design and Construction," said Sportexe representative Joe Simpson. "Our working relationship with RDC is great as is our relationship with the City of Doral. In fact, we are scheduled to install two additional fields for the city before the opening of its second park, Doral Meadows."
The City Commission made the decision to spend the additional dollars to provide the City's citizens with the finest quality facilities available. The Sportexe Synthetic turf on both soccer fields will allow the citizens unlimited use of the soccer fields.
"Installing Sportexe will be a major benefit for the city," said Simpson. "Not only will it save on maintenance costs, but also on the wear and tear of overuse often associated with natural grass."
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."
San Jose Defensive Coordinator Kevin Guy Changes Leagues, Not Success
ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 4, 2007- The San Jose SaberCats (5-3) remained undefeated at home after its defense forced five Utah turnovers and registered four sacks holding the Blaze to a season-low point total in a 69-48 win in an Arena Football League game Satuday, April 28 at HP Pavilion.
The win sent San Jose to first place in the AFL's Western Division, and was the SaberCats' 10th straight regular victory dating back to the 2006 season at HP Pavilion, which features Sportexe - the exclusive and official synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for both the AFL and arenafootball2.
One reason for the San Jose win over Utah was the play of former Southern Miss linebacker Ron Jones, which earned the defensive player of the week honors after setting team records with 3.0 quarterback sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, while matching the team mark with a pair of forced fumbles. He also added a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Jones led a defense that forced five Utah turnovers and held the league's highest scoring offense to its lowest point total of the year in a 69-48 win and broke the team single-game records that have stood since 2000.
However, the main reason for the SaberCats' defensive dominance has been the addition of defensive coordinator Kevin Guy two seasons ago. In his first year with the team, Guy's defense finished the regular season ranked in the top five of four defensive statistical categories. He directed a unit that forced 34 turnovers and ranked fourth in the league with a +7 turnover margin.
The SaberCats' rushing defense was impenetrable in 2006 allowing only 14.3 rushing yards per contest, and only allowed its opponents to score just 77.5 percent of the time, the seventh-best ranking in the league.
"We've got an exceptional core of defensive players that makes my job a little easier," said Guy. "My time in San Jose has been great and I am happy to be working with one of the greatest teams in the Arena Football League."
The former af2 head coach and 2003 Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year, still holds the record for most coaching victories in the history of af2. He registered 52 career wins and a .732 winning percentage while leading the Tennessee Valley Vipers (2002-04) and Rio Grande Valley Dorados (2005).
Guy, a former defensive back who played four years in the AFL, has coached an Ironman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year award winners while having 14 players earn All-af2 recognition.
"We've got one of the best defensive coaches in the game," said Jones. "He calls the right plays at the right time, we just have to go out there and make all the right executions."
"Kevin embeds his competitive nature and aggressiveness into all of our players," said San Jose head coach Darren Arbet. "He expects a high level of performance from each of them and his players continue to deliver when we need them to."
This season Guy's defense leads the AFL in red zone efficiency (71.8) and first downs allowed per game (18.1). The SaberCats' defense tied for third in sacks (10) and ranks third in third-down percentage (43.1). San Jose also ranks fifth in yards allowed per game (284.0).
"We continue to go out and work hard every week in practice as we try to reach our goals and word towards the playoffs," said Guy. "Our productivity has increased from the beginning of the season, but we've still got a long way to go."
The first-place SaberCats travel to Arizona to face the Rattlers on Saturday, May 5 and return to HP Pavilion on Saturday May 12 to host the Las Vegas Gladiators.
"It's so rewarding to see one of the many Sportexe Coach of the Year alumni continue to prosper," said football insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "Sportexe certainly saw something special with Coach Guy in 2003, and those qualities that made Guy a success during his af2 days are certainly being utilized to make San Jose one of the AFL's premier teams and Guy one its top coaches."
Sportexe, which also names amateur and professional coach of the year winners throughout North America and Europe, will present the official Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award during ArenaCup8 to be held in Bossier City, La., on Aug. 25. The latest news headlines and coach profiles from af2 can be found by visiting www.sportexe.com.
Sportexe is currently underfoot of many of the nation's elite athletes from the NFL and NCAA, and is the exclusive turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League.
Houston's Art Briles and Coastal Carolina's David Bennett Coach Talent to Next Level
ROUND ROCK, Texas. May 4, 2007-Two of the 2006 Sportexe Football Coach of the Year winners continued to earn their stripes this weekend as they each had a quarterback selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. A global leader in the synthetic turf industry, Sportexe names coach of the year winners at every major amateur and professional level throughout the North America and Europe.
The Sportexe NCAA Division I-A winner Art Briles, head coach at the University of Houston, sent record-setting signal caller Kevin Kolb to the Philadelphia Eagles as the fourth pick in the second round (36th overall). The four-year starter set a school record by starting all 50 games he played in.
Kolb, who has set virtually every school and conference passing record, was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist. He ranked fifth in the nation in passing efficiency (162.72), eighth in total offense (283.07 ypg) and sixth in passing yardage (3,809). Kolb connected on 292 of 432 passes (67.6 percent) with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions.
"We are pleased for Kevin as his selection in the NFL Draft is a great individual honor," said Briles. "At the same time his move to professional football showcases the quality of the University of Houston football team and direction of our program."
The entire Texas community has taken notice of Briles' commitment to the Cougars football program. On April 25, the Texas State House of Representatives and Senate honored Briles for leading Houston to the C-USA championship and earning two coaching awards.
"I am very proud to be recognized for being the C-USA Coach of the Year and Sportexe National Coach of the Year," Briles said. "But I am more prideful of the recognition those awards bring to the C-USA champion Houston Cougars."
Eight other Cougars have signed free agent contracts to join Kolb in the NFL, including: Jackie Battle, RB, and Rodney Hannah, TE, Dallas Cowboys; Vincent Marshall, WR, Atlanta Falcons; Wade Koehl, LB, New Orleans Saints; Biren Ealy, WR, Tennessee Titans; Willie Gaston, CB, Baltimore Ravens; Marquay Love, DT, Miami Dolphins; Will Gulley, Arizona Cardinals.
Sportexe NCAA I-AA Coach of the Year recipient David Bennett, head coach at Coastal Carolina University, sent multiple-threat Tyler Thigpen to the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh pick in the seventh round (217th overall).
Thigpen was named the Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished seventh in the balloting for the Walter Payton Award. He ranked second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 329.3 ypg of total offense, while being fourth nationally with 274.7 passing yards per game after leading Coastal to its third consecutive Big South title and first-ever berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championships.
"Tyler is the epitome of our program," said Bennett, who started the Chanticleers' football program just four years ago. "Both he and our program have evolved into championship-caliber talent in such a short period of time. Tyler is blessed with all the tools to be successful at the next level and we look forward to following his professional career for many years to come."
Thigpen, who finished his Coastal Carolina career 30-8 as its starter, set nine Conference season records in 2006 in total offense (3,952), total offense per game (329.3), passing yards (3,296), touchdown passes (29), passing yards per game (274.7), passing efficiency (167.42), 300-yard passing games (5), 300-total yard games (9) and rushing yards by a quarterback (656). He was named Player of the Week four times this season and became the first Big South quarterback to rush for more than 600 yards in a season, with his 656 ranking fourth overall in league rushing, while adding five touchdowns.
Coastal Carolina added another Chants' player to the NFL with safety Quinton Teal signing a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers.
"These are examples of what makes these two Sportexe Coach of the Year winners so deserving," said national football-coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. "To coach at programs that are not noted as national powers and still guide young men to the sport's highest level is indeed a great coaching accomplishment."
Other 2006 Sportexe Coach of the Year alumni include: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints (NFL); Wally Buono, British Columbia Lions (CFL); Denis Piché, University of Ottawa (Canadian Interuniversity Sports); 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).
"Clearly Coach Briles and Coach Bennett are perfect choices for the Sportexe Coach of the Year, as are all of our winners," said Lee.
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.
Sportexe can be found underfoot of many of the nation's elite athletes from the NFL and NCAA, and is the exclusive turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League. Sportexe clients also include numerous high school and recreational fields across North America.
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.
