by Victor AndersonCSTV BlogMarch 7th 2007

UCF Intramural Sports has been recognized around the nation for their All-American officials and National Championship flag football teams. Now, they have something else they can hang their hat on; brand-new playing turf. The new RWC Turf Fields opened for limited use on July 10th and have been receiving nothing but rave reviews ever since the opening. The fields, which are located behind the current IM Sports Grass fields, provide yet another outlet and playing arena for students to use. Although the official grand opening of the RWC Fields will not take place until early-September, the current use of these fields are setting the pace for what should be a huge year for Intramural Sports and UCF Recreation and Wellness.

The thought process for having these turf fields began back when Brian Battles was SGA Student Body President and he formed a committee with Kevin Peters to look into getting new fields on the UCF campus. RWC Associate Director Jim Wilkening was one of the figureheads in charge of getting a field that was suitable to meet the needs of the participants of Intramural Sports.

"I was a chair (man) of a program committee to put together the field project for the student and the committee consisted of both students and staff," Wilkening mentioned. "Within the next year, Peters became Student Body President and that actually continued the momentum of the fields getting built."

These fields were funded by student CITF funds costing 3.2 million dollars for the first phase which is the three fields that are complete. The next phase of this plan will cost 2.8 million dollars and the majority of this will come from the SGA. The final phases cost and funding is currently unknown and will not be known until the first two phases are completed. Within the next 5 years, you will be witness to more expansion and more growth of the Intramural Sports program.

About The FieldsThe new turf fields aren't the same Astroturf fields you grew up watching on television on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. These brand new fields are Momentum 51 fields made by Sportexe, which is the same company who made the fields for the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, and the University of Southern Mississippi. The "grass" portion of the turn consists of 70 percent rubber and 30 percent sand which is on top an infilled surface which is made up of 100 percent ground rubber. This turf plays similar to grass, as the rubber and sand mixture that provides a consistent and safe playing surface, unlike previous generations of artificial turf. If you would like more information on the fields, log on to www.sportexe.com. Sportexe is the company that was responsible for building the Omnigrass turf that was installed for the fields.

"What we were looking for is to be a close to grass as we can get and Sportexe provided the best product for us to meet that expectation," Wilkening mentioned.

Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant Steve Anderson (no relation) mentioned how this turf is much safer than the current grass field IM Sports uses.

"We invested in these new fields due to the fact that the current fields couldn't be maintained well enough leading to sandpits and dead grass," Anderson stated.

The problem with dead grass and sandpits was not only true for the grass fields behind the Barbra Ying Center, but also for the IM Softball Fields as well. Players would consistently inform the referees and supervisors about the multiple holes on the playing field and these fields will surely help ease those fears of being hurt on inadequately maintained fields. Along with the brand new playing surface, the fields are also equipped with a new drainage system which is called Draincore. Wilkening discussed the advantages of having a system like this installed underneath the fields.

"It (Draincore) is hooked in across the entire field and then the drainage is sent to different places based on the drainage system," Wilkening mentioned. Draincore is a chain of circular rounds underneath the infill area and it allows for a faster facilitation of drainage than on the current grass fields. Not only does this new field have one the best and safest playing surfaces in the world, but the addition of lights allow 7 on 7 flag football to be played at nighttime.

Nighttime Is The Right TimeDuring 7 on 7 flag football's tenure here at UCF, games would usually be played between 4-6pm from Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 1pm on Saturdays. With the new lights installed, Wilkening sees the eventual shift to full-time football under the lights. "Around the country, that's not a traditional time to run your Intramural program," Wilkening declared. "We'll probably see a slow progression into the evenings and the timing will be based on the number of teams. You could see flag football being run between 5-11pm Monday through Thursday."

With the increased availability to play at night, don't be surprised if IM Sports gains at least 50 more teams for this upcoming season based on the nighttime capability alone. Steve Anderson confirmed this possibility when I talked to him last week.

"There will definitely be an increase (in teams) because there won't be any waiting list teams like in the past. We used to have a cap on the number of teams," Anderson acknowledged. "Although the increase is definite, we're not sure the exact numbers to predict."

Last season, almost 150 teams played flag football and this season that number should be near 200 or over.

"I would not be surprised to see us top 200 simply because we have a good playing surface and the ability to play in the evenings," Jim Wilkening said.

Not only will the nighttime capability benefit the players, but it will also benefit WKNT Knightcast who covers IM Sports. Eric Lopez, host of The Sports Guys, is looking forward to WKNT's debut of flag football under the lights.

"Flag football is without question our most popular and most requested Intramural Sport that we broadcast and the fact they'll be playing at night will only make that fact even stronger," Lopez confirmed. "The players, their friends, and parents will now be able to listen to them almost immediately after they play on the new fields. That is the part which is most exciting."

Into The FutureThe creation of these new turf fields are only the start to a 3-phase plan which will include more fields, restroom/storage facilities, and remodeling of the current grass fields and softball fields.

"It's all about people finding out and this story will be a benefit to this cause," Wilkening mentioned. "Eventually, we still won't have enough fields to accommodate everybody. However, what we lack in quantity we surely lack in quality with the turf fields."

In the long run, students and staff will understand that having these fields will only strengthen and enhance the credibility for UCF and their Recreation Services. People I have talked to about the fields who are gone for the summer said that they can't wait to have their teams and friends take their first steps on the soft, rubbery surface when they return for the fall semester.

In the past, they were looking forward to the future. Ladies and Gentlemen, the future is here for UCF Intramurals, and right now, it's just as green (if not more) as that grass on the other side of the fence. That is without all the ants and pesticides to deal with.

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.

BALTIMORE. March 5, 2007--Attackmen Steven Boyle of Johns Hopkins and Ben Rubeor of Virginia each earned Sportexe Player of the Game honors for their efforts in the season-opening lacrosse doubleheader at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday.

Four elite college teams 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.

Johns Hopkins defeated Princeton 7-6 in double overtime in the first game at M&T Bank Stadium. Virginia beat Syracuse 11-8 in the second game.

All four teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally, and they have won every NCAA Division I championship since 1992.

Boyle scored three goals on the day, including two big first-half goals that took the score to 2-1, then to 3-3, respectively. He also scored in the third quarter to tie the game at 5-5. Boyle, a freshman who played at Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire, entered the season with the most hype, ranking No. 2 on Inside Lacrosse's 2007 Blue Chip recruit rankings.

Rubeor, who finished with three goals and two assists, tied the game at 8-8 in the second half en route to the Cavs' come-from-behind victory.

"The event was simply awesome," said John Burke, Sportexe Director of Lacrosse. "Inside Lacrosse did a great job with this event and it showed with a record crowd. No one could have asked for better performances than those given by Boyle and Rubeor. They both exemplified the same qualities that make Sportexe the world's top synthetic turf brand."

Sportexe, the synthetic turf system used by M&T Bank – home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, sponsored the Classic's player of the game award.

M&T Bank Stadium will also host the NCAA men's lacrosse championships during Memorial Day weekend in May.

ROUND ROCK, Texas. March 1, 2007 - Adalius Thomas of the Baltimore Ravens and alumnus of the University of Southern Mississippi - both Sportexe synthetic turf system users, is once again hosting his free one-day football camp at the USM on April 21.

Thomas, an NFL Pro-Bowl linebacker, will be the featured instructor for his non-contact football camp and will stress the basic fundamentals of football and have guest speakers talking on a variety of subjects. Campers will receive a camp t-shirt, autographed photo of Adalius, goodie bag from our sponsors and lunch.

Registration is Saturday, April 21, at M.M. Roberts Stadium between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. The camp will begin immediately after registration and will end around 1:30 p.m.

The camp is open for boys between the ages of 9-17.

Call 601-270-0762 or email rosalea@b-c-sports.com for more information.

Game Telecast Branded as "Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football"

February 26, 2007 -- Russell Athletic and ESPN announced today Russell Athletic will sponsor Arena Football for the next 5 years starting this season on all regular and post season telecasts on ESPN networks and ABC. The official title of the telecast will be Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football, which debuts with a pair of ABC regional telecasts on Sunday, March 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET -- Dallas Desperados at New York Dragons and Chicago Rush at Kansas City Brigade.

"Not only will you hear the Russell name during AFL telecasts, you'll see this exciting league's talented players wearing our uniforms," said Doug Kelly, President of Russell Athletic. "This unique 5-year naming rights entitlement agreement with ESPN is a natural extension of our strong commitment to the AFL."

Russell Athletic will be exclusive uniform provider for the league and will debut its innovative performance technology, the Xtreme Compression (XC) jersey, during the March 4th season openers for the Los Angeles Avengers and Dallas Desperados. The state-of-the-art XC jersey includes compression fit material that is difficult to grab, ventilator technology to accelerate body cooling, Dri-Power® technology to wick moisture away from the body, and Anti-Microbial technology to help eliminate odor.

Russell Athletic will be the exclusive athletic apparel retailer and will also entitle a special one-hour AFL season preview show on ESPN2 Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m., as well as a playoff preview show on ESPN2 Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m..

The Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Preview Show will feature ESPN's AFL commentators Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic and Merril Hoge with guest appearances by Philadelphia Soul President Ron Jaworski and team owners Jon Bon Jovi (Philadelphia), Mike Ditka (Chicago) and John Elway (Colorado). The program will take a look back at ArenaBowl XX and some of the top plays in league history and breakdown the upcoming season.

by Dave Rahme, Staff WriterThe Syracuse Post-StandardSunday, February 25, 2007

The roads could be iffy, especially for those traveling south from Central New York, and an early season upset will offer fair-weather college lacrosse fans an excuse to decline. Yet, there is no denying the truth of this statement: The best Division I action of the regular season will take place Saturday in Baltimore, and you are invited to attend.

The folks at Inside Lacrosse have put together a first-of-its-kind doubleheader - billed the Face-Off Classic - featuring Johns Hopkins vs. Princeton at noon followed by Syracuse vs. Virginia at M&T Bank Stadium, which will later be the site of national championship weekend. The four teams have combined to win the last 15 D-I national titles and 19 of the last 20, an amazing run interrupted only by North Carolina in 1991.

To put that in perspective, the last time a team other than the big four was crowned champ, Bill Clinton had yet to take office, Donovan McNabb was still playing high school football in the suburbs of Chicago and Carmelo Anthony was celebrating his seventh birthday.

"If you look at it closely, parity really hasn't hit our sport yet until that last weekend of the season," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said.

Starsia's Cavaliers, who went 18-0 last season en route to the title, then went out and got stunned at home by Drexel, picked to finish fifth in the seven-team Colonial Athletic Association, in the season opener. Upsets aside, Starsia is right. Until somebody goes out and proves it on Memorial Day, the big four will retain their stranglehold on the sport.

To have an opportunity to see all four of them on the same day at the same venue during the regular season should be hard for dedicated fans to resist. Starsia said the powers at Inside Lacrosse simply looked at the schedule, which always features Hopkins-Princeton and SU-Virginia on the same weekend, and the record attendance figures at each of the last three final fours and put two and two together.

"It has always been a unique weekend in that those two games are on the same day," Starsia said. "I've always been looking over my shoulder at the other game. Now, all the pieces have come together, and we have a rare opportunity for college lacrosse fans to see these four teams on one day in a pro setting (M&T is home to the NFL's Baltimore Ravens)."

Sacrifices have been made to make the day a big one and perhaps an annual showcase. SU and Princeton gave up home games in order to participate, no small concession when considering the quality of the competition. But Starsia said his team also yielded.

"My team was not that happy about not going to the Carrier Dome," he said. "We love the atmosphere there, the knowledge of the fans and how they get into the game. And let's face it: The Dome was the safest place for us to be playing on March 3. We're giving up the best site for an outdoor venue."

Starsia said the benefits of getting the sport's ruling class together for one afternoon of quality lacrosse outweigh the sacrifices. So far, more than 12,000 fans agree and have purchased tickets.

If you want to join them, go to www.faceoffclassic.com to find the most convenient way to order tickets, which cost $15 for reserved lower-level seats and $25 for club-level seats (groups of 10 or more can get tickets for $10 each). Or you can call M&T at (410) 261-7283. SU fans who want to sit together should request section 153.

"I think if we have a decent day we're going to have a heck of a crowd," Starsia said.

Attracting more soccer tourneys to Phoenix is goal

by Jourdan RassásThe Arizona RepublicFeb. 21, 2007 12:00 AM

Luke Mulholland, 18, said he has played soccer his entire life. Although this trip was his third to Phoenix from Preston, England, to play soccer, there was something different about this tournament. It would be the first to be played at Reach 11.

A rainbow of balloons swayed in the breeze at the entrance to one of the Reach 11 soccer fields Friday, welcoming people of all ages to the grand opening of what will be the largest single-site sports complex in Arizona, at 2425 E. Deer Valley Road.

More than 200 people attended the ceremonies, featuring Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Olympic gold medalist Shannon MacMillan and Eric Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. men's team.

The ceremony was to mark the opening of the first of the two-phase project, which included 10 lighted soccer fields, including one synthetic turf system from Sportexe, two playground areas and 1,200 parking spaces.

The second phase will add 10 lighted fields, a proposed all-weather running track and, with the necessary funding, a 4,000-seat stadium.

District 2 Councilwoman Peggy Neely said she hopes the sports complex will bring more soccer tournaments to the Valley and be used as a site for Super Bowl-related activities.

"I see the community coming out and rallying their heroes," Neely said.

MacMillan said Reach 11 and those who contributed to the opening of the park are "enhancing the next generation."

"I'm in the coaching world now, so hopefully I'll be out here coaching one day," she said.

SC del Sol youth soccer club and teams from Maryland, Virginia and England competed in a soccer tournament at the complex in the evening.

Mulholland said he was looking forward to playing on the field because of its synthetic grass surface, which he says is easier on players' feet than the grass fields he usually plays on.

Tobin Shanks, 6, said he thought the field was different from others he has played on in the three years he has been involved in soccer.

"It's (Reach 11) good," said Shanks, of Scottsdale, kicking around a soccer ball.

Wynalda said Reach 11 is a "glimmering example of what can be accomplished. These little guys are smiling, holding their balls and waiting for us to stop talking so they can get out and play."

Play as Your Favorite AFL or af2 Team

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., February 20, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Arena Football™: Road to Glory, the only arena football game available to fans of the extreme action sport has shipped to retail stores. Arena Football: Road to Glory brings to life the excitement and experience of hard-hitting, high-scoring intensity of 50-yard goal line-to-goal line battles. The game, under the EA SPORTS™ brand, is available on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and will be in stores on February 22, 2007.

From the af2 to the AFL, including classic historical squads, more than 80 teams will be made available in Arena Football: Road to Glory and for the first time, fans can play as their favorite af2 franchise. In addition, players can take the af2 circuit by storm by winning the ArenaCup then export their players into the AFL and set their sights on an ArenaBowl championship. In Arena Football: Road to Glory, the player will have Total Offense Control. They can now pick apart defenders with their star receiver, while using the right analog stick to help the quarterback find passing lanes and avoid the rush.

"This is a great vehicle to promote our entire league," said Doug MacGregor, President of the AFL's Austin Wranglers. "We were pleased with the first AFL game released by EA Sports last year, and we are thrilled with the possibilities of this new game."

Arena Football: Road to Glory is rated "E10+" (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $29.99 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The game's official website is www.easports.com/afl2.

Sportexe is the official turf provider for both af2 and the AFL.

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.