Build It Right - Fall 2024, Issue 10

On the Calendar and on the Horizon: New Business Opportunities

Morgan’s: The Sports Park Designed to Put Accessibility First

Eatertainment: The Emerging Trend in Sports Facilities

Build It Right

Fall 2024, Issue 10 sportsbuilders.org

1

2

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

The American Sports Builders Association, a non-profit trade association comprised of builders, designers and suppliers for sports facilities, exists to promote the highest standards of design, construction and maintenance.

ASBA Chairman Randy Resley

ASBA Executive Director

Fred Stringfellow, CAE | fred@stringfellowgroup.net

Editor

Mary Helen Sprecher | maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org

2331 Rock Spring Road Forest Hill, MD 21050 Tel: 443-640-1042 Fax: 443-640-1031 Email: info@sportsbuilders.org

Build It Right is a publication of the American Sports Builders Association © 2024. All Rights Reserved. For more information or to order additional copies, contact the ASBA headquarters office. Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright ASBA and their respective owners. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are copyright ASBA. Direct requests for reprint to the ASBA headquarters office. The American Sports Builders Association prints Build It Right to provide its members and other interested parties in the sports design, construction and supply profession with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest to the entire industry. The ideas and opinions expressed in Build It Right are solely those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the view, positions or policies of ASBA, its members, its board of directors, officers or staff. ASBA is not responsible for any claims made in any advertisements, and does not endorse any manufacturer, supplier or vendor. ASBA does not warrant the performance of any member or member employee or subcontractor.

Some images and content art © Adobe Stock Images, Pixabay, Unsplash and Pexels

sportsbuilders.org

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

6

HEADLINE NEWS

6

8

11

INDUSTRY VIEWS

12

FEATURES

12 14 18

4

High School Sports Participation Jumps Past 8 Million; More Girls in Wrestling, Flag Football Bringing New Demographics Available Now: The New Tennis Courts Book!

An Interview with Ed Gorman, Associate Director of Championships and Programs at USA Track & Field On the Calendar and on the Horizon: New Sports, New Initiatives that Stand to Affect ASBA Member Morgan’s: The Sports Park Designed to Put Accessibility First Combining Sports Facilities and Food, Eatertainment the Emerging Trend

16

MEETING NEWS

21

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASBA? / ASBA IN PRINT

23

PLAYING BY THE RULES

24

TRENDING TOPICS

26

MEMBER NEWSLINE

30

NEW MEMBERS

ASBA Technical Meeting: Schedule of Sessions

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Randy Resley

programs that ASBA offers to help our companies stand out.

I’ll look forward to seeing many of you in Orlando in December for this year’s Technical Meeting. Let’s meet to share stories and continue to exchange ideas about how we’re improving this industry

and furthering the growth that we’ve been enjoying. ★ Sincerely, Randy Resley

What a great time to be in the sports design and construction business, coming off the Paris Olympics this summer and the incredible energy that the Games generated globally. With Los Angeles 2028 right around the corner (and a little closer to home for most of us), let’s start thinking about how to be part of the LA sports footprint and the ripple effect of demand that the Games will create for all of us across North America. With sports like flag football, squash, cricket, lacrosse, baseball and softball debuting as “showcase sports” in 2028, there will be interest in these sports venues long before 2028 actually arrives.

Over one million spectators were in New York for this year’s US Open tennis championships – record attendance. American men and women made it to the finals this year. Tennis is hot! According to USTA, the US needs 40,000 more tennis courts by 2035 to hit its infrastructure goals to meet anticipated demand by that time.

Pickleball continues to be in high demand EVERYWHERE and padel is creating buzz in hot spots around the country.

There’s plenty of opportunities for ASBA’s designers, builders and suppliers.

Let’s seize this opportunity to position ourselves as “the” go-to companies to meet the rising demand that exists for all of us. Utilize ASBA’s resources to train and educate your employees and take advantage of the certification and awards

sportsbuilders.org

5

HEADLINE NEWS

High School Sports Participation Jumps Past 8 Million; Girls in Wrestling, Flag Football Bringing New Demographics

Mary Helen Sprecher

More than eight million participants competed in high school sports in the 2023-24 school year – an all-time record and the first time ever that total participation has exceeded the eight-million mark.

The NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey indicated that 8,062,302 participants were involved in high school sports in 2023-24, which is up 210,469 from the previous year and tops the previous record of 7,980,886 set in 2017-18. The total includes 4,638,785 boys and 3,423,517 girls – both record highs – according to figures obtained from the 51 NFHS member state associations, which includes the District of Columbia.

The 2023-24 total marked the second consecutive increase after numbers tumbled during the pandemic. Since the initial survey after the pandemic, participation in high school sports has increased 444,248 in two years and represents a turnaround from the decline that started the year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two of the biggest storylines are the increases in all forms of high school football – for boys and girls – and the continued rise in wrestling for both girls and boys. Eleven-player football remained the most popular sport for boys, jumping from 1,028,761 to 1,031,508.

The biggest gain in football, however, is being driven by girls, particularly with the emerging sport of flag football. The number of participants in girls flag football more than doubled from 2022-23 to 2023-24. A total of 42,955 girls participated in flag football in 2023-24 compared to 20,875 the previous year – a 105 percent increase. And from the 15,716 participants in 2021-22, there has been an increase of 173 percent. There also was an increase in the number of girls competing on 11-player football teams, from 3,654 to 4,094.

Another highlight is the sizeable jump in wrestling. An additional 32,443 boys were involved in wrestling last year. And participation on girls teams has continued its historic rise as well with 64,257 participants last year – an increase of 102 percent from the 31,654 in 2021-22.

Outdoor track and field, volleyball and soccer all registered increases and remained the top three participatory sports for girls.

Outdoor track and field, and soccer had significant gains on the boys side as well.

The number of participants in esports and Unified Sports also registered increases in 2023-24. A total of 27,051 students participated in esports last year, which included 23,041 boys and 4,010 girls – an increase of 3,129 participants from the previous year.

The survey indicated a total of 51,502 participants in the 15 Unified Sports, up from 42,010 in 2022-23. ★

6

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

WE GOT YOU COVERED

SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SPORTING NEEDS WINDSCREENS • SPORT PADS • COVERS & TARPS

Known for its many innovative products, Aer-Flo Sports is America’s leading manufacturer of high-quality sports field covers, windscreens, and padding. We are widely known for our ability to print branding and custom graphics on a wide range of sporting equipment. As the preferred supplier to Major League Baseball, the NFL, Major League Soccer, the US Professional Tennis Association, and countless colleges and universities, Aer-Flo also produces the same level of quality for thousands of high schools and community facilities across America.

— VISIT US AT BOOTH #218 FOR OUR LATEST PRODUCT CATALOG —

AerFloSports.com A V A I L A B L E E X C L U S I V E LY T H R O U G H T O P S P O R T S E Q U I P M E N T D E A L E R S

sportsbuilders.org

7

HEADLINE NEWS Available Now: The New Tennis Courts Book

Mary Helen Sprecher

The new edition of one of ASBA’s most popular and respected publications, Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual, is now available.

The book, which is co-produced by ASBA and the USTA, is revised every four years to cover updates to the sport and to the technology, both of which together shape the facilities players use. This issue contains the following information: •

A new chapter on tennis court technology

•

Expanded information on facilities for adaptive tennis

•

Expanded information and details on specific types of tennis facilities, including competition-specific facilities and tennis training centers/teaching courts

•

Expanded information on selection of a design professional, such as an architect or engineer

•

Updated information on lighting

•

Updated information on trees and other vegetation

•

Updated information on hard courts (asphalt), including control joints

•

An expanded chapter on surfacing systems (outside those of traditional hard courts and soft courts), including prefabricated overlayments and infilled turf

•

Updated diagrams and photos

The book has also been updated and streamlined overall to create a more concise publication and to make information easier to find.

The Joint Editorial Board members, who have been working on the new edition of the book, include the following: •

Fred Kolkman, CTCB, Chairman

•

Jeff Nichols, CTCB

•

Jennifer Grissom

•

Chuck Jettmar

•

Ryan Ferrera

Additional input from the members of ASBA and USTA has been used as well.

The book is available for purchase in both hard copy and PDF format, by going to the ASBA website, sportsbuilders.org, and mousing over the top blue toolbar to the word, “Resources.” A drop-down menu will include “Publications.” ★

8

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

BUILDING THE PERFECT BALLFIELD

Your Vision, Our Expertise.

For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with architects and

Beacon brought their extensive

contractors to create the most beautiful, safe, and playable

knowledge of protective netting

ballfields in America. Whether it’s a multi-field complex,

to our project. With their help, all

pro-grade dugouts, or an indoor training facility, our

three stages of net expansions

expertise turns your vision into reality—on time and

were seamlessly executed, just

within budget.

With just one call, tap into our decades of experience to streamline your design process and build ballfields

as we had envisioned.

JEFF FEIST, ARCHITECT RITTERBUSH-ELLIG-HULSING P.C.

that inspire athletes at every level.

Be sure to visit us at booth #216 and grab your free copy of our Ballfield Design & Dimensions Guide!

B ea co n At h l etics.co m

sportsbuilders.org

9

START GETTING REWARDED FOR YOUR LOYALTY REGISTERED CONTRACTOR

START EARNING REWARDS TODAY!

Qualify for various rewards*:

www.awardlink.com/icp

• points for purchases to redeem for sports equipment, tickets, electronics, gift cards, etc.

• earn bonus points by submitting images and project information for project profiles and social media coverage • private and public project lead generation • marketing support • and more! *Program is currently only available in the US and Canada ®

10

United States: 150 Dascomb Rd., Andover, MA 01810 • Phone 978.623.9980 Australia: 67 Assembly Drive, Tullamarine, Victoria, 3043 • Phone (Toll Free) 1800 786 617 • +61 3 9338 9851 www.californiasportssurfaces.com ©2024 ICP Building Solutions Group

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Ed Gorman, Associate Director of Championships and Programs at USA Track & Field

Industry Views is a regular column in Build It Right, featuring an interview with an industry partner whose work is helping to drive evolution. Have a suggestion for someone to interview? E-mail our editor at maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org.

ASBA sat down with Ed Gorman, Associate Director of Championships and Programs, to catch up with what was happening at USA Track & Field.

Ed Gorman: Absolutely. Something else to keep in mind is that when people are picked to go to the Olympics in track & field, 80 percent of them come from college programs. People kind of forget that.

American Sports Builders Association: What is the inventory of facilities like nationwide?

American Sports Builders Association: Track & field is incredibly popular, especially at the high school level.

Ed Gorman: It really is. If you look at the participation statistics from the National Federation of State High School Associations, you’ll see it listed in the top ten most popular sports for both boys and girls every year.

One of the great things about it as a high school sport is that parents don’t need to incur a lot of expenses for equipment.

Kids need a good pair of shoes and their uniforms. Compare that to ice hockey, where kids need skates, pads, helmets and everything else. Another thing is that track & field is strictly a high school and college sport. It’s not really a travel team sport where parents have to pay registration fees, hotels and everything else in order to get their kids noticed by a college scout.

American Sports Builders Association: And with the recent Summer Olympics and the standout performances of U.S. athletes there, it’s likely a lot of kids will want to participate at the high school level.

Ed Gorman: There are some great facilities out there. One of the things we do at USA Track & Field is talk to people who want to put in a track. The most important thing to find out is what their goals are and what they want to do. That has a lot to do with planning the facility.

Obviously, you need the right amount of land but beyond that, the question is why you want the track.

If they just want to have a little six-lane track that goes around their field that their athletes can run on, or where people can jog, that’s one thing. If they want a big eight-lane track that can host meets, and believe me, there are people who love hosting stuff, that facility obviously needs to be held to a higher standard. We try to help people understand that. That’s one of the great things about ASBA; they’re trying to help people understand good design and construction.

Something else people need to take into consideration is whether they will be having field events like high jump and triple jump, for example. There’s also the question of throwing events like discus, shot put, hammer and javelin throw; in 20 states, we have sanctioned high school competitions in javelin, for example. If you want to have a synthetic turf field, you have to have somewhere else to throw the javelin.

American Sports Builders Association: Do you think people just aren’t aware of the rules?

Ed Gorman: USA Track & Field didn’t print their rulebooks this year; they get outdated immediately. Now, the rulebook is online.

American Sports Builders Association: What is it that USA Track & Field is trying to teach schools when they want to put in a track?

Ed Gorman: I’d say you try to get them to look at things holistically. You need to provide parking, restrooms, locker rooms, areas for teams and spectators, places for athletes to warm up and cool down, lighting in case your meets run late or are delayed by rain; there’s a lot that goes into planning a facility and not everyone sees that. Sometimes, they don’t understand the rules at all. I once went to a track and they had the steeplechase built backwards so that the athletes landed in shallow water and had to run into deeper water in order to get out. I had to explain to them that’s not the way it works. ★

sportsbuilders.org

11

FEATURED ARTICLES On the Calendar and on the Horizon: New Sports, New Initiatives that Stand to Affect ASBA Members Mary Helen Sprecher Prediction: Olympic Showcase Sports Will Come on Strong With the Olympics in Paris in the rear-view, what can we expect as we turn our sights toward Los Angeles and 2028, in terms of the Games’ impact on ASBA’s members?

While it’s still four years in the future, it’s never too soon to make educated guesses.

NFL FLAG’s website. Additionally, college programs, such as those at the NAIA level, may use other field dimensions.

Under the IOC’s Agenda 2020, each host city is allowed to suggest a limited number of sports that are not on the permanent Olympic program. (These sports may or may not be carried over into the next Olympics since each host city gets to make its own choices.)

Squash – Squash (which campaigned for inclusion in the Olympics for nearly 20 years before finally succeeding) has been a fixture on the club scene and in colleges, particularly in the northeast. Its popularity with syndicates such as Urban Squash, which combine squash lessons and academic resources for children in underserved areas, has also propelled its profile. However, its popularity worldwide still eclipses that found in the U.S.

In Tokyo in 2020, for example, we saw karate, baseball, softball, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. In Paris, the showcase sports were climbing, surfing, skateboarding and breakdancing. (Surfing, skateboarding and climbing have now been added permanently to the Olympic roster.)

In 2028, showcase sports are flag football, squash, baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket. Here’s what it might mean for builders: Flag Football – It’s no surprise this has been added to the Games; in fact, it is the single fastest-growing sport for girls at the high school level, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, which is writing rules (see the article, “Playing by the Rules,” elsewhere in this magazine.)

In the meantime, states have been playing according to varying rules as pertain to field size. Some play on a full-size field while others are using smaller playing areas. NFL FLAG, which operates programs nationwide, offers its own set of rules with a shorter field; those are available on 12

The presence of flag football in the Olympics is expected to drive demand for fields; schools, colleges and sports parks may be looking at putting in fields, or having fields marked for play.

If squash catches the attention of the U.S. in 2028, however, builders of indoor facilities, and those who work with hardwood surfaces, could start hearing increased demand from clubs and colleges. One of the newer construction methods has courts that are marked with both racquetball and squash lines (or that, in some cases, have movable walls allowing for complete conversion between the two sports).

Cricket – Propelled by demographic shifts, cricket has been growing in popularity in the USA; however, like squash, its visibility here has been limited. Many programs are found in parks and in social and rec programs.

But in June, USA’s men’s team made headlines when it pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the sports world, handing Pakistan a shock defeat in the T20 World Cup. (Yes, Pakistan, where people play cricket in their backyards, watch it on TV and go to their children’s games every weekend.)

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

Cricket is a field sport but it is played on neither a rectangular field nor a diamond.

(Dimensions and other information can be found in the Courts & Recreational Surfaces manual published by ASBA.) Cricket, which like squash, has long lobbied for Olympic inclusion, could open the door to heightened visibility. Count on seeing Team USA in L.A. Lacrosse – It needs no introduction but the version of the sport that will be presented in 2028 differs from that seen in high schools and colleges, where 10 players are on each side. The discipline in 2028 will be known as Sixes, which has, as the name suggests, six players per side (including the goalie) and is played on a smaller field (70m x 36m) in four 8-minute quarters. Fun fact: The inaugural World Lacrosse Sixes Championships (men and women) will take place in 2026.

Baseball and Softball – Because they are already popular in the USA, the sports should be heavily watched and could lead to an uptick in youth sports registration, which could result in a demand for more – or better – fields.

The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane are in the planning stages. Showcase sports have yet to be announced but pundits are batting around ideas including not just cricket and lacrosse but a few others, such as netball (google it) and competitive lifesaving. Padel has also vowed to lobby for inclusion. However, a full list of sports is not expected to be finalized until 2027.

Prediction: USTA’s Growth Goal, Coupled with a Need for Separate Playing Areas from Pickleball, Will Spur Court Construction In April, the USTA announced an ambitious, multi-faceted growth strategy aimed at making the United States the number one tennis-playing nation in the world

by 2035, which means increasing the country’s tennis-playing population to 35 million total players, or 10% of the country’s population.

The growth strategy is the vehicle for realizing the organization’s new mission: “Growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.” The strategy includes a dedicated focus on player retention, coaches – and courts.

In fact, it is estimated that 40,000 new courts will be needed.

One factor that could help spur the construction of tennis courts is something almost counterintuitive: pickleball. As that sport continues its own growth trajectory, its players are demanding dedicated courts – and tennis players don’t want to share space. With an uptick in tennis demand, as well as an uptick in pickleball demand, separate facilities will become necessary. Additionally, more tennis players could mean more facility renovation and resurfacing work for builders.

Prediction: With 2026 World Cup Schedule Locked in, More Soccer Initiatives Will Result in More Players – and More Demands for Fields With plenty of opportunities to see games on TV, online and in person (as well as at citywide viewing parties), the World Cup 2026 is set to continue to propel the growth of soccer in the U.S. And now, with a finalized list of matches in each city, stadiums know when they need to be ready to host.

This could fold into other avenues of growth mentioned previously (flag football at the high school level, for example), along with other team sports, including basketball, lacrosse, cheer and wrestling – and could lead to more demand for facilities as well as upgrades to existing facilities. ★

At the same time, expect plenty of soccer clinics, initiatives and more that can drive interest in the sport and increase the need for fields even more.

Need to update your address? Have you changed your e-mail or website?

Is there a new employee you’d like to list?

Prediction: Team Sports are on the Upswing According to Sports Fitness Industry Association’s 2024 Team Trends Report, there were roughly 8 million more team sports participants in 2023 than 2022. This represents an 11 percent increase from 2022 and the highest number of team sports participants since 2014.

HAS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGED?

Please help ASBA keep its records updated by letting us know!

This is the information that we will be using for ASBA’s Online Membership Directory – please make sure we have the most updated and accurate information.

To update any information, please contact Jordan Langeheine at jordan@sportsbuilders.org.

The best EPDM granules for your first-class running tracks?

// SEE YOU AT ASBA TECHNICAL MEETING 2024 December 3-6 // Orlando, FL // Booth 413 GEZOLAN (KRAIBURG), LP // Buford (GA), USA www.gezolan.com // A company of the KRAIBURG Group

we // live // quality sportsbuilders.org

13

FEATURED ARTICLES Morgan’s: The Sports Park Designed to Put Accessibility First Mary Helen Sprecher

Morgan’s Sports Park Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, every sports facility built in the U.S. today needs to have reasonable accommodations for those with physical challenges. Those might include punch list items like parking spots, curb cuts and accessible rest room stalls for each gender.

But at Morgan’s Sports, a sports park in San Antonio, the entire facility was designed specifically for special populations: individuals with physical and cognitive challenges, as well as those with sensory processing issues. In fact, it was created with inclusion in mind, so that those with and without disabilities could have fun together and learn from one another.

And that means every part of the facility – every single court, diamond and field – can be used by anyone, whether they use a walker, a wheelchair or anything else.

“Accessibility is the footprint of what we have there,” says Barry Mills, president of Morgan’s Sports.

Tennis and pickleball are big drivers of inclusion, he notes.

“What I am doing is creating championship tennis courts and pickleball courts – and programs associated with those sports. We’re also planning to host wheelchair tennis and wheelchair pickleball and we will be aggressively marketing this.”

The facility also includes a standalone accessible diamond field for softball and baseball, as well as a covered court for basketball and volleyball. There’s a football field as well.

Morgan’s Sports is the site of the Summer Games for the Texas Special Olympics. South Texas Regional and Adaptive Para Sports (STRAPS) hosts its ongoing tennis and pickleball events at Morgan’s. STRAPS offers a variety of adaptive and Paralympic-style sports for wounded service members and veterans as well as other adults and youth.

And that’s just a sample of what the facility offers those who just want a place where they are accepted and appreciated.

“Our complex absolutely sells out to inclusive events,” says Mills. And sometimes, he adds, events have been designed just because none existed.

14

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

“We have a population of CrossFit enthusiasts here. If there isn’t a competition for something yet, why not invent it?”

And after seeing her snubbed by other children when she tried to play with them, their reactions of sympathy and shock became a steely resolve to help society do better.

That resolve became Morgan’s, the sprawling complex that now boasts not only the sports park but a theme park, splash park, camp – even a multi-purpose assistance center with a beauty salon, all completely accessible and set up to host individuals of all ages, particularly those with challenges and disabilities.

And, Mills notes, every aspect of every facility is accessible to those with physical, developmental and even sensory challenges.

“Parking, concessions, bathrooms – they’re all set up so that everyone can use them. Even our office buildings are accessible; the tables are less bulky so that anyone can sit behind them, even if they have a wheelchair or walker.”

Accessibility pervades every aspect of every facet of Morgan’s five entities, from the sports complex to the splash park (with slides, splash pads and waterproof wheelchairs) to the camp (with horseback riding and campfires) to the theme park to the assistance center. (For example, every ride in the theme park can be used by those in wheelchairs, even the carousel and the zipline.) There’s even fishing in the lake with helpers ready to bait hooks, take photos of visitors with their catches, and release the fish afterwards.

Morgan’s would like to bring in more pickleball and tennis events and is hosting “open play” days to get visitors used to all it has to offer.

In the future, Morgan’s Sports will also include a restaurant to take advantage of pickleball’s social vibe. And there’s more still to come.

“We’re just getting started,” says Mills.

For more information, visit morgans.org or morganssports.org. ★

sportsbuilders.org

15

Bringing Together The Sports Design And Construction Industry The ASBA Technical Meeting & Trade Show will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida from December 3-6, 2024. Professionals in the sports design and construction industry worldwide will gather for learning, networking and business development.

SESSIONS LIST

* = AIA/ASLA CEU Eligible All session/event names & times are subject to change

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4

Academy Quarter 4 (2024 Academy Registrants Only) *PTI Session – Design, Construction, and Maintenance of PT Concrete Courts (Optional Activity/Additional Cost)

*2C Fields – Developing the Playing Surface for the FIFA® World Cup 2026 (Advanced) Speaker: Ryan Bearss, PhD, Michigan State University

*2D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Moisture Mitigation and Site Prep (Advanced)

Speakers: Brandon Harman, P.E., S.E., Post Tension Institute; Harley Nethken, P.E., Tech-Con Systems; Jack Graves, Jr., Builders Post Tension

Speaker: Anthony Graham, MAPEI

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Speaker: David Pettit, Flora Pettit PC

*1A Courts – Tennis Roundtable (Intermediate)

Speakers: Mike Edgerton, CTCB, Sport-Tech Acrylics, Corp.; John Eren, CTB, CTCB, Classic Turf Company, LLC; Jeff McClure, Fast-Dry Courts & 10-S Tennis Supply

*1B Track – Track Maintenance (Intermediate)

Speakers: Kevin Dorney, SMG; Rick Hardin, STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc.; Mike Mehaffey, CTB, CTCB, McConnell & Associates, Corp.

*1C Fields – Case Study – West Point Flood (Intermediate) Speaker: Tim Catella, Clark Companies

*1D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Indoor Game Line Paint

Speakers: Paul Hildebrandt, Creative Floor Coating & Design; Phil Sanchez, Bona US; Lisa Szczupaj, Sika Corp.

1E General – Separating Noise from Reality: Economy in 2025 Speaker: Chris Kuehl, Armada CI

*2A Courts – Concrete/Post-Tension (Intermediate)

Speakers: Steve Schaef, Master Builders Solutions Admixtures US, LLC

*2B Track – UK Track & Field Facilities and New Concepts in Athletic Facility Design (Intermediate) Speaker: Ed Hunt, British Athletics

2E General – Protecting Yourself as a Contractor Concurrent Sessions 3 *3A Courts – Planning for and Mitigating Noise Issues in Racquet Sports (Intermediate) Speakers: Ryan Chmielewski, Weston & Sampson Sports & Recreation; Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball; Bob Unetich, Pickleball Sound

*3B Track – Field Event Construction (Advanced)

Speakers: Megan Buczynski, PE, LEED AP, Activitas, Inc.; Bryan Mitterling, CTB, Beynon Sports Surfaces, Inc.

*3C Fields – Cracking the Code: Demystifying Synthetic Turf Performance Data (Advanced)

Speakers: Thomas Amadei, Labosport; Jeff Gentile, Firefly Sports Testing

*3D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Rolling & Static Loads (Advanced)

Speaker: William Thornton, Fieldturf Tarkett Sports

3E General – AI and the Future of Sports Building Speaker: Dan Chuparkoff, Reinvention Labs

*4A Courts – The Benchmarking of Surface Performance for Pickleball (Intermediate)

*4C Fields – Irrigation Design to Utilization (Intermediate) Speaker: Vance Rzepka, VSR Design

*4D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Courting Success: Design and Layout Considerations for Great Court Spaces (Intermediate) Speaker: Jake Whittaker, The Sports Facilities Companies

4E General – Leadership/Handling Stressful Situations Speaker: Rick Olszewski, RJO Associates

4F General – AI and the Future of Sports Building (Repeat of 3E) Speaker: Dan Chuparkoff, Reinvention Labs

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

*5A Courts – Padel 101 – The Game, The Courts, and Trends in the World’s Fastest Growing Sport

Speakers: Todd Dettor, Fast-Dry Courts & 10-S Tennis Supply; Eric Loftus, Cape & Island Tennis & Track

*5B Track – Lake Buena Vista High School Track Facility Workshop

Speakers: Chris Chisam, RLA, LEED AP, Tarkett Sports; Kristoff Eldridge, CTB, Cape and Island Tennis & Track; Mike Gentile, Firefly Sports Testing; Duffy Mahoney; John Wettstein, CTB, Athletic Marking Company

*5C Fields – City of Aventura, FL-Waterways Park-MultiSport Field Renovation Contaminated Soil Removal & Infrastructure Improvements (Intermediate)

Speakers: Mike Gentile, Firefly Sports Testing; Tracy Lynch, Har-Tru, LLC; Jenny Reece, AT Sports

Speaker: Paul Arcella, CFB, CSR Athletic Construction

*4B Track – Performing and Communicating an Asphalt Inspection for Running Tracks (Advanced)

5D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Managing Customer Expectations (Intermediate)

Speakers: Todd Rudolph, CTCB, Elite Sports

16

Builders; Troy Rudolph, CFB, CTB, CTCB, Elite Sports Builders

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

Speakers: Jordan Foster, Foster Specialty Floors; Robbie Plett, Facility Armor, LLC

5E General – Leadership/Handling Stressful Situations (Repeat of 4E) Speaker: Rick Olszewski, RJO Associates

*6A Courts – Design and Build: What Goes into Creating the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities

Inc.; Phil Lasker, DWW Sports; K. Stratton Kirton, Liberty Turf Company, LLC; Tom Josephs, GA Sports Construction Tire Recycling

*6D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Open Forum on Finishes (Intermediate)

Speaker: John Fairbanks, Basic Coatings; Alex Parrott, Berger-Seidle; Jason Walton, GameTime

Speakers: Todd Dettor, Fast-Dry Courts & 10-S Tennis *6E General – Why on Earth do I need a Soil Supply; Tim Gerrits, LLA, ASLA, GMB Architecture + Engineering; David LaSota, PE, The Tennis Design Report?: Geotechnical Testing and Reporting Studio; Eric Loftus, Cape & Island Tennis & Track Speaker: Randy Marwig, P.E., Western Technologies an RMA Company

*6B Track – Lake Buena Vista High School Track *7A Courts – Illuminating Ideas for the Modern Facility Workshop Speakers: Chris Chisam, RLA, LEED AP, Tarkett Court Builder (Intermediate)

*7C Fields – Synthetic Turf Maintenance/Impact on Longevity (Intermediate) Speakers: Arthur Eddy, Replay Maintenance; Milo George, PSFS/TurfTecs; Tom Jones, FC Dallas

*7D Indoor Sports Surfaces – Environmental Demo/Disposal: What to Look For, How to Test and Properly Address Challenges (Advanced)

Speakers: Michael Berta, Aero Environmental Consulting; Michael Dinatale, Action Floor Systems

*7E General – Jobsite Grade Control:

Sports; Kristoff Eldridge, CTB, Cape and Island Tennis & Track; Mike Gentile, Firefly Sports Testing; Duffy Mahoney; John Wettstein, CTB, Athletic Marking Company

Speakers: Bruce Frasure, Frasure Reps Sports Understanding Vertical and Horizontal Control Lighting; Patrick Frasure, Frasure Reps Sports Lighting; in Sports Facility Construction (Intermediate) Nick Schultz, Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. & 10-S Tennis Speaker: Mike Cooper, Nidy Sports Supply Construction Co., Inc.

*6C Fields – Synthetic Turf and PFAS: Perspectives from Designers, Contractors and Suppliers

*7B Track – Post Tension Concrete Running Tracks (Intermediate)

Speakers: Megan Buczynski, PE, LEED AP, Activitas,

Speakers: Jonnie Deremo, CTB, CTCB, GA Sports Construction; John Eren, CTB, CTCB, Classic

2024 Sponsor List DIAMOND Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. PLATINUM Aer-Flo, Inc. Beacon Athletics MAPEI Corp.

NGI Sports GOLD California Sports Surfaces Douglas Sports Ecore GEZOLAN (KRAIBURG), LP Jaypro Sports, LLC LSI Industries Neyra Dynaflex NORDOT® Adhesives RiteWay, LLC SMG Equipment SportMaster Sport Surfaces Sprinturf, LLC STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc.

SILVER Ball Fabrics Brock USA Dominator Frasure Reps Sports Lighting No Apologies LLC dba. C&D Pickleball Nets Polysport Putterman Athletics

CHARGING STATION (Exhibit Hall) Rekortan

BRONZE Advanced Polymer Technology, Corp.

AFP Courts S.L. C&M Surfacing LLC EPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions Genan Inc Hydraway Drainage Systems Kataskeves Dapedon LTD - KDF Musco Sports Lighting Nova Sports, USA Tech-Con Systems, Inc. Unlimited Sports Solutions

MEETING APP STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc.

GOLF TOURNAMENT Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC HOTEL KEYCARDS SportMaster Sport Surfaces

REGISTRATION KIOSK Laykold SPORTING CLAYS OUTING Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces, LLC NGI Sports TENNIS/PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT RiteWay, LLC

For the complete schedule, list of sponsors and exhibitors, and additional details about the Technical Meeting, visit: sportsbuilders.org/technicalmeeting Or scan the QR code!

sportsbuilders.org

17

FEATURED ARTICLES Combining Sports Facilities and Food, Eatertainment the Emerging Trend Mary Helen Sprecher

ASBA Award photo, 2017; image of Chicken N Pickle courtesy of McConnell & Associates The sports bar scene has evolved beyond just TVs and people watching sports. Now, with the advent of what has become known as “eatertainment” (the hybrid of sports facilities and bar/restaurant venues), diners can be active participants in sports as well.

Over the past decade, this trend has given rise to a number of franchises. Among these are the following: Golf: The combination of golf with a social venue and sports bar resulted in the wildly successful TopGolf, with franchises across the nation. Other companies, such as DriveShack and PuttShack, are also chasing duffers and dollars.

Table Tennis: SPiN brought the bar and nightclub vibe to table tennis and has active locations in eight cities. Fun fact: Susan Sarandon launched the company in New York in 2009, and now has locations throughout the U.S. and one in Toronto.

Pickleball: Chicken N Pickle capitalized on the growing pickleball boom early on. Copycat organizations like Pickle Pad, Pickle & Social, Camp Pickle and Pickle Haus (as well as numerous others) soon sprung up.

Baseball: Home Run Dugout combines baseball amenities – pitching machines, games on TV and a variety of food – to allow athletes, wanna-bes, has-beens and dreamers to indulge their love of the game and their ability to socialize.

Cricket: Hey, if it’s going to be in the Olympics; it needs to be in the eatertainment sector, right? Sixes Social Cricket opened its first location in Dallas last year, with plans to build more venues.

So, what makes these facilities so popular? Well, like escape rooms, it’s partially the novelty. But in a way, it is also that it gives everyday people the ability to be athletes in a non-stressful environment.

According to Home Run Dugout’s founders, Nick Hermandorfer and Tyler Bambrick, eatertainment makes sports (in their case, baseball) more accessible.

“We are seeing more and more people looking for activities to experience with their friends and family besides going to a bar and watching TV,” Hermandorfer told a newspaper reporter. “We believe life is all about shared experiences, and we are confident that a little friendly competition is the best way to bring people together: over beers, laughter and home runs. Plus, even if you 18

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

want to sit it out, you can still enjoy a cold beverage and delicious food while heckling your friends and family at bat.”

Eatertainment has its roots in a vacation essential, putt-putt golf, played by everyone from families on vacation to college students on spring break, and allowing for friendly, risk-free competition in a fun, relaxing environment.

Eatertainment takes that concept to the next level, adding in bar service, a restaurant and updated technology (for example, at Home Run Dugout, if a player hits a ball, there is a built-in augmented reality experience that simulates the experience of being in a Major League Baseball stadium). Facilities like TopGolf offer tee boxes and a driving range as well. Chicken N Pickle (whose pickleball courts were honored in the ASBA’s awards program) also has yard games like cornhole and large-scale Battleship and other fun ways to keep visitors occupied.

Some facilities (like Chicken N Pickle) do use full-size courts, while others (like Sixes Social Cricket) provide a simulated experience. But for all those who try a simulated sport and get hooked, there could be a resulting uptick in demand for more facilities, something that can impact ASBA members. ★

Photo by Ingo Joseph

Photo by Anna Tarazevich

17 INDOOR COURTS. 6 OUTDOOR COURTS. ALL LSI LIGHTING. The Pickle Lodge – West Chester, Ohio

OFFICIAL LIGHTING PARTNER OF

lsicorp.com/sports

sportsbuilders.org

19

20

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASBA? As part of its continuing effort to position itself as an industry resource in sports construction issues, ASBA regularly attends industry meetings. Some of those are the following.

OCTOBER - National Recreation & Parks Association ASBA participated as an exhibitor at this year’s NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, October 8-9.

DECEMBER - ASBA Technical Meeting ASBA’s members, leadership and staff will gather at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida for the ASBA Technical Meeting and Tradeshow on December 3 through 6. Please note the new weekday pattern of this year’s meeting. Check www.sportsbuilders.org for detailed schedule information.

JANUARY - Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) Conference ASBA will participate at the SFMA Conference in Palm Springs, California on January 14-16. ASBA will be hosting a panel presentation January 16th, on “Designing/Building a Sports Field with Grounds Managers in Mind.” Panelists will include Casey Scheidel, Sam Titchener, Mark Baginski and Nick McKenna.

FEBRUARY - ASBA Winter Meeting ASBA members, leadership and staff will gather in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, February 21-23 for the Board of Directors meeting and Winter meeting. Each division will meet in breakouts to discuss issues pertinent to their respective sports; and to develop presentation topics for the 2025 Technical Meeting.

MARCH - RacquetX ASBA will participate at RacquetX in Miami, Florida, March 22-24, a festival for operators of racquet sports facilities being held concurrently with the Miami Open Tennis Tournament. ASBA will be exhibiting in the show and hosting a panel on “Design and Build: What Goes Into Creating the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities.”

ASBA IN PRINT - Where are ASBA’s Technical Articles Appearing?

ASBA publishes technical articles in a variety of publications across all divisions, using quotes from its members. Would you like to receive questions for an upcoming article? Contact technical writer, Mary Helen Sprecher, at maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org.

Coach & Athletic Director: “Creating a Winning Maintenance Routine for Your Basketball Courts” (indoor facilities), September/October 2024 Park & Rec Business: “Smaller Field, Faster Game” (Olympic lacrosse sixes format), September 2024 SportsField Management: “Synthetic Turf: Updates from the Field” (latest news on turf), September 2024 NIAAA Athletic Administrator: “Sustainability: An Overview for Athletic Directors,” Fall 2024 ★

sportsbuilders.org

21

The Preferred Choice of D1 Programs

Chosen by the US Open

Chosen by 25% of World Athletic Certified Tracks

Chosen for FIFA Women’s World Cup Final

Chosen for 9 X Olympic Games

5 Star Systems for Your 5 Star Athletes

ONE STOP. ONE SOURCE. ONE TEAM. astroturf.com

rekortan.com

AstroTurf Corporation. 2680 Abutment Rd, Dalton, GA 30721 (800) 723-TURF

22

Buildhelp@astroturf.com it Right | Fallwww.astroturf.com 2024, Issue 10 @AstroTurfUSA

laykold.com

AstroTurf, Laykold, Rekortan, and APT are divisional brands of Sport Group.

PLAYING BY THE RULES ASBA periodically recounts rule changes that may affect the way facilities are constructed, marked or appointed (including equipment that is either experimental, recommended or mandatory.)

Rule changes affecting athletes (uniforms, sportsmanship, NIL issues, etc.) or the game itself (what constitutes a foul, etc.) are not covered here.

Information presented here is only reviewed briefly; full information can be gained through the governing bodies mentioned.

Coming in 2025: High School Flag Football Rules At the request of its member state associations to address the nation’s fastest-growing emerging high school sport, the NFHS will be writing playing rules for flag football, effective with the 2025-26 season.

The NFHS Board of Directors has approved the first NFHS Flag Football Rules Committee, which is set to meet in January 2025 and author the first official national rules for high school flag football. The 2025-26 NFHS Flag Football Rules Book will be available by May 2025. ★

sportsbuilders.org

23

TRENDING TOPICS ASBA keeps an eye on subjects that are getting attention at the sports facility level.

Here is a brief review of a few of those.

NCAA Announces Locations for Championships For only the fourth time in its history, the NCAA conducted a comprehensive site selection process, putting most of its championships up for bid simultaneously.

The Association chose over 240 host sites for preliminary and final rounds of predetermined championships across Divisions I, II and III, primarily for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This cycle marked a shift from a four-year to a two-year site selection process.

Championships represent almost every sport across the NCAA, and include rising sports like women’s beach volleyball.

24

With locations locked in, many facilities may be looking for upgrades in time for hosting. The full list of host sites is available on ncaa.com.

VIP Experience Includes Behind the Scenes Tour of College Football Facility Here’s a great idea: a VIP experience that is actually a behind-the-scenes tour of a top college football stadium. The Ohio State University athletic department offered a “Things You’ve Never Seen Tour” on the weekend of Sept. 13-15, taking visitors to see the athletic director suite, TV broadcaster booth, bell tower, former academic areas inside the north tower and the home locker room.

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

Milestones: All-Female Grounds Crew Continues at Little League Softball World Series For the third year in a row, the Little League Softball World Series made history with an all-female grounds crew. The crew showcased exceptional skill and teamwork as they prepared the fields for competition.

This year’s event presented an even greater challenge as the crew faced tropical storms. Despite the adverse conditions, they successfully prepared and maintained the fields for six games in just 12 hours. ★

100 % MELOS QUALITY

No limits

Premium granules from Melos® for sports and leisure With more than 80 years of know-how, Melos® is the world market leader in Coloured EPDM Granules for first-class sports and leisure floorings. Durable, stable and colour-intensive – anyone who chooses premium granules from Melos® is choosing quality: excellent raw materials, increased specification requirements, consistent quality assurance and ≥20 % pure EPDM content. In addition, 28 standard colours and several special colours ensure the greatest colour variety worldwide.

www.melos.com | info@melos.com sportsbuilders.org

25

MEMBER NEWSLINE Want your company featured in Member Newsline? Please send information to ASBA using the form available on our website at sportsbuilders.org/builditright. You’ll find it on the Build It Right Magazine page under the News tab that is located on the top right-hand corner of the home page. All member news must be submitted through this portal.

ASBA reserves the right to edit all information submitted.

Ganser Returns to Activitas Activitas, Inc. is pleased to announce Holly Ganser, PE has returned to the firm. After beginning her career at Activitas, Holly rejoins Megan Buczynski, PE in the Civil Engineering department.

Holly supervises project development and permitting and will be the primary contact for the projects she manages.

Based in Activitas’ Dedham, Massachusetts office, Holly will support the firm’s growth throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic.

A registered civil engineer, Holly has skills including thoughtful earthwork and grading as well as stormwater and utility designs that are mindful of budget requirements and future maintenance considerations. Holly returns with significant local, state and federal permitting expertise for distributed generation renewable energy projects across the US. Her ability to explain complex local and regional design impacts to regulatory authorities is an incredible asset to her clients.

thought it would be fun to pitch non-traditional court colors. Each color resembled an aspect of the quaint town of Fairhope.

The company partnered with AT Sports to produce custom colors: Fairhope Orange, Mobile Bay Blue and Lakewood Blue.

The unique combination has enhanced club members’ playing experience. “We don’t call it the kitchen. We say, ‘stay out of the bay,’” one club member stated.

When American Sports Surfaces works with its clients, they want the colors to match the aesthetics of the facility and players. Pickleball and racquet sports are not only about the sport; they’re about the experience while playing, and court colors help amplify that experience. ★

Post-match coverage highlighted the court as the evening’s standout feature.

“The brand-new glass floor at BMW Park brought the most glamour to the arena.

During the halftime break, amazed spectators were shown the full potential of the floor: flashing lightning bolts, racing light points and even gaping chasms – the technology imposes no limits on the imagination,” according to media reports.

However, the innovative technology of the ASB GlassFloor is not just limited to visual effects. The floor combines functionality with sustainability, serving not only as a playing surface but also as an interactive platform for advertising, fan engagement and sports analysis. Thanks to its durability and multifunctionality, it represents a significant step towards the sustainable and future-proof design of sports venues. ★

Holly’s current projects include an athletic master plan for Phillips Andover Academy, accessible entrance and circulation improvements for the Cotting School and athletic facility projects in the Towns of Sharon and Cohasset.

In addition to her civil work, Holly is passionate about creating spaces for children of all ages to engage with their peers.

Holly is also a Student Coordinator for the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston. ★

American Sports Surfaces Completes Lakewood Country Club Project When American Sports Surfaces first started working with Lakewood Country Club on their 11-pickleball court project, they

26

Successful Basketball Bundesliga Debut on ASB GlassFloor`s Digital Court On September 20, German basketball witnessed history when, for the first time, an official professional basketball game was played on a permanently installed full-LED video sports floor by ASB GlassFloor.

In the previous season, the ASB GlassFloor had already generated excitement during Bayern Munich`s opening game – at that time, however, it was a temporary installation. Positive feedback from players, fans and officials prompted the club to permanently install the video floor at BMW Park for the new season.

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

Rice University, Covington and Robbins Sports Flooring Deliver Excellence Covington has proudly completed two major flooring installations at Rice University within the past year, providing a “double helping” of excellence with new Robbins sports flooring systems. These installations include the main arena, known as the Tudor Fieldhouse, and the Fox Gymnasium, the university’s dedicated practice facility.

The main arena now boasts the Robbins MVP (Maximum Vibration Protection) system, designed to minimize critical

vibrations. This anchored and resilient high-performance floor is engineered to reduce athlete fatigue, supporting better performance and lowering the risk of injury. The advanced construction of the MVP system creates a consistent playing surface, ideal for both training and competitive games.

At the Fox Gymnasium, the Robbins Unimax 100 system has been installed. Like the MVP, the Unimax 100 is anchored and resilient, providing superior shock absorption and durability. This system is also designed to eliminate harmful vibrations, making it a smart choice for Rice’s practice facility where athletes need a safe and comfortable environment for intense training sessions.

Together, these two state-of-the-art Robbins floors represent Covington’s commitment to safety, performance and innovation, with Rice University enjoying the benefit of two premier athletic flooring systems tailored to meet their specific needs. ★

spaces, allowing users to seamlessly switch between different training modalities. Together, they cater to a wide array of training needs, making the Performance Collection solutions ideal for any fitness environment.

Furthermore, Ecore has introduced four new colors to every product line in the Performance Collection. These on-trend, new hues – Rustic Edge, Raw Titanium, Forged Steel and Urban Slate – add versatility and aesthetic appeal to fitness spaces. ★ Frasure Reps Provides Lighting Upgrade at The Country Club at Mirasol At a project completed in July 2024, Frasure Reps supplied 50 LSI Zone Large lights for seven tennis courts at The Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. With the Zone Large lighting system, the average light levels have increased by approximately 40% from the existing metal halide lighting.

Frasure Reps worked with Fast Dry Courts (Pompano Beach, Florida) to devise a plan to replace the existing lighting. Installation of the new lighting was performed by Fast Dry Courts.

Based on the club’s satisfaction with the tennis court lighting upgrade, Zone Large fixtures will be installed on their newly constructed pickleball courts, basketball court and soccer field later this year. ★

addition, GEZOFLEX eco uses an innovative, renewable filler. The sustainable raw materials are complemented by a premium oil that is 99% bio-based and that has a negative CO2 footprint.

In addition to these outstanding sustainability features, this pioneering innovation among EPDM granules makes no compromises in terms of performance, technical properties, variety of applications and processing options. GEZOFLEX eco is suitable for in situ processing as well as for processing into rolled goods or for the production of slabs and molded parts. GEZOFLEX eco is initially available in selected colors and primarily in the standard grain size of 1.0 - 4.0 mm. ★

GRAEF Announces New Market Team Leader-Sports and Recreation GRAEF is proud to announce the promotion of Ben Langemeier to Market Team Leader – Sports and Recreation. In this new role, Ben will focus his expertise on the design and development of sports and recreation facilities, while continuing to play a key role in site design.

His new focus will allow him to collaborate more closely with clients in the sports and recreation sector, bringing his passion and skills to projects that enhance community spaces like sports complexes, parks and recreational centers.

Ecore Athletic Enhances Performance Collection with New Flooring Solution Ecore has expanded its Ecore Athletic portfolio with the introduction of Performance Motivate Plus. Available in rolls, Performance Motivate Plus is a 10.5mm surface featuring Ecore’s patented its TRU® technology which fusion bonds a vulcanized composition rubber (VCR) surface layer to a VCR base layer. The surface layer provides excellent durability and slip resistance while the base layer’s upcycled VCR provides ergonomic support. This new product structure allows flexible, seamless design in facilities offering workout spaces for both light and heavy strength and conditioning.

GEZOFLEX eco: The World’s First Sustainable EPDM Rubber Granules At a time when sustainability and environmental awareness must not just be buzzwords for companies, but must be an integral part of corporate behavior, GEZOLAN is bringing about a revolution and launching the world’s first sustainable EPDM granules for sports and leisure flooring: GEZOFLEX eco.

Performance Motivate Plus seamlessly complements Ecore’s Performance Beast flooring, which excels in handling heavier weights. When adjoined, these two products facilitate a smooth transition between

GEZOFLEX eco consists of over 90% sustainable raw materials. The revolutionary material is based on a sustainable EPDM rubber that contains a defined proportion of certified bio-based raw materials. In

Ben is particularly excited about this opportunity because of the critical role sports and recreation play in fostering community engagement. Whether it’s designing spaces for Friday night football games, city center outdoor concerts or neighborhood parks, Ben is passionate about creating facilities that bring people together and strengthen local connections.

GRAEF congratulates Ben on this well-deserved promotion and is confident that his leadership and commitment to excellence will continue to drive success in the sports Continues on page 28...

sportsbuilders.org

27

and recreation market. His dedication will be instrumental in helping us build meaningful spaces for communities to enjoy for years to come. ★

product offerings and service capabilities as he aims to provide the highest quality of products to every customer across a range of sports.

Mondor has an extensive background in the athletics industry, a skillset and knowledge base that will be invaluable to the Putterman team. While he had experience selling windscreens and field covers in his previous role, he will now have the toolkit to offer dealers a full line of tennis and pickleball products, creating a one-stop-shop for his network.

Kiefer to Install University of Missouri’s New Mondo Super X 720 Banked Indoor Track The University of Missouri has chosen a Mondo track for its indoor track and field facility. Kiefer USA is heading the team that will perform the track installation.

The new 200-meter, six-lane oval banked track with a 12-degree bank and a 21-meter radius at Mizzou will feature Mondo’s Super X 720 surface, which provides the optimal blend of energy return, comfort, safety and durability for everything from daily training to the toughest competitions.

An eight-lane sprint straightaway, a pole vault runway, two long jump/triple jump runways, throw areas and non-competition areas around the track also will be Mondo’s Super X 720 surface. The six-lane oval and eight-lane straightaway will have alternating lane colors of gray and a custom gold Mondo created for the NCAA Division I university.

When it comes to recruiting, said Brett Halter, head track and field coach at Mizzou. the Mondo track will be appealing to prospective student-athletes. “They want to know that they will be able to train at a world-class level year-round, and having a Mondo track in our indoor facility will enable them to do that.” ★ Putterman Athletics Welcomes Jeff Mondor to the Team Putterman Athletics is excited to announce that Jeff Mondor has joined the company as Vice President of Sales, bringing over 20 years of invaluable experience in the sports manufacturing industry to the team.

Mondor is poised to enhance Putterman’s 28

Sportsfield Specialties Announces Sales Management Changes Sportsfield Specialties, the leading athletic equipment manufacturer in the sports construction industry, is pleased to announce significant changes to its sales management team. Effective October 1, two of the company’s highly respected Regional Sales Managers stepped into new and pivotal roles.

Mondor reflected positively on his initial experience at Putterman Athletics: “Joining this team has been a truly enlightening experience. My coworkers are exceptional, and they prioritize customer satisfaction above all. I couldn’t have asked for a better environment to work in, and I look forward to what the future holds.”

Alex Fletcher has transitioned into the position of Sports Construction National Sales Manager, while Michael Mercadante became the new Stadium Construction National Sales Manager. Both Alex and Michael have demonstrated outstanding leadership and success in their current roles, earning the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Their promotions reflect their hard work, commitment and long-term contributions to the success of Sportsfield.

As Putterman Athletics continues to innovate and expand its offerings, Mondor’s expertise will be instrumental in driving the company’s growth and commitment to quality. ★

In their new positions, Alex and Michael will be tasked with managing sales relationships and outreach, while also focusing on expanding their range of responsibilities at a national level.

David Moxley, Director of Sales for the Sports Construction Division, expressed his confidence in their abilities: “I’d like to personally congratulate Alex and Michael on their achievements. Their proven track records of success and leadership will undoubtedly support Sportsfield’s ongoing growth and innovation. We’re excited to see them lead in their new capacities.” ★

Quality Court Industries Builds Pickleball Courts for Youngsville Sports Complex Quality Court Industries, LLC (QCI) recently built eight new outdoor post-tensioned pickleball courts for the Youngsville Sports Complex in Youngsville, Louisiana.

QCI provided extensive turnkey service, including the construction of the post-tensioned slabs, installation of the acrylic surfacing system and court accessories.

This community can now enjoy a facility that provides top-notch pickleball court. ★

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

Sportworks Design Congratulates Kyle Greulach on PE Licensure Sportworks Design, a division of The Kleingers Group, is excited to announce Kyle Greulach, Associate Civil Engineer, has earned his Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Kentucky. This achievement highlights his dedication and expertise in civil engineering.

A proud graduate of the University of Kentucky and an active member of the American Sports Builders Association, Kyle has civil engineering design experience in athletic and transportation projects. In his role at Sportworks, he leverages his knowledge in field, court, track and civil engineering design to deliver innovative and effective solutions for clients. His track record of athletic facility projects includes the Bishop Fenwick High School Stadium, Sycamore High School Tennis Court Renovations, Miami University Rider Track Study and synthetic turf fields at Riverside Park and Lebanon High School.

“I’m incredibly proud to reach this career milestone,” Kyle Greulach stated. “I look forward to continuing my work in designing and engineering sports projects, while learning more about our ever-evolving industry. I believe this license will create new opportunities as I stay committed to delivering top-quality design solutions for clients in the sports industry.”

Please join us in congratulating Kyle on this outstanding achievement. ★

BASF and STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc. Partner on Sustainable Surfacing Products Together, BASF and STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc. have announced Stobielast® S polyurethane binders for playground and recreational surfacing made with 100% domestically produced Biomass Balance (BMB) Lupranate® methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).

This achievement represents a pivotal milestone in the surfacing industry and

highlights both companies’ commitments to driving a more sustainable future.

The use of BMB Lupranate allows STOCKMEIER Urethanes to leverage more sustainable solutions without the need for reformulations, new production equipment or changes to its supply chain. Creating polyurethane binders from mass balanced isocyanates complements STOCKMEIER Urethanes’ efforts to promote environmental stewardship. The Stobielast S product line also includes water-based & solvent-free coatings, GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD GOLD certified products, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased labeled products.

“Teaming up with BASF and becoming the first U.S. polyurethane pour-in-place (PIP) binder manufacturer to forge a domestic partnership over BASF’s BMB isocyanates, is exciting,” said Chris Martinkat, President and CEO of STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc. “This collaboration advances product innovation and expands manufacturing in the surfacing industry, offering high-quality PIP binders made with renewable feedstock-based MDI, bringing us closer to reducing our carbon footprint globally.” ★

detail. From prep to paint he used the best materials available to deliver on his promise. And for the “true bounce” that his clients were so adamant about, he went the extra mile.

“Line skipping is a common frustration for pickleball players and my clients wanted to eliminate that pain point for their customers,” Sean said. “We worked together on a custom sand and paint blend for the lines and achieved optimal results.”

VTECH’s solution ensures smoother play for all skill levels, allowing players to focus on strategy and game play.

To make the club feel vibrant and sophisticated, VTECH was able to provide some custom color combinations to meet the owners’ desires.

“We’re thrilled with the new courts,” says Kristen Brown, co-owner of Brighton Pickleball Club. “Feedback from our members has consistently been that they are the best courts they have ever played on.” ★

VTECH Announces New Courts at Brighton Pickleball Club This fall, VTECH Construction Co. worked with the Brighton Pickleball Club on the construction of nine premium courts for their brand new, state-of-the-art, indoor facility in Michigan. VTECH was charged with installing the highest quality courts that maintain a true bounce and a vibrant appearance.

“I told them that they were in good hands – and then I got to work,” said Sean Vosburgh, owner of VTECH Sports Construction. He said that to meet their expectations, he paid attention to every

sportsbuilders.org

29

ASBA MEMBERS New Members NEW MEMBERS Builder • • • • • • • • • • •

30

AG Sports Surfaces LLC Asphalt Improvement Bourassa Sport Technologie Inc. Centaur Products Inc. Fielder’s Choice, Inc. Holbrook Tennis Court Services, LLC Howard B. Jones & Son, Inc. Howard Companies LLC INSTALL Kerrick Construction, LLC Legacy Sports Surfacing LLC DBA Legacy Sports Construction

Provisional • • • • • •

Build it Right | Fall 2024, Issue 10

• Court Renew LLC PJ Hayes, Inc dba Tandem Construction Southern California Landscape Supplier Sport Court of South Florida • Berger-Seidle Inc. • InCord Sports King of Texas • Melos GmbH Workhorse Sports Installations • Merrick Hardwoods Inc. • Saint-Gobain ADFORS WSBSPORT • Titan Environmental USA •

Varicore Technologies, Inc. dbi Multi-Flow Drainage Systems

GET IN THE HIGH PERFORMANCEHIGH LED SPORTS LIGHTING PERFORMANCE LED SPORTS LIGHTING The ZONE™ LED sportslight lightfeatures features a sleek profile design The ZONE™ LED sports a sleek lowlow profile design and high performance LEDs paired with precise and high performance LEDs paired with precise silicone optics and cutoff. Available in two sizes and multiple silicone optics to produce superior levels of illumination, uniformity to produce superior illumination, and cutoff. lumen outputs for anylevels court of sport application.uniformity Optional wireless control systems available. Proudly made in America.

Available in two sizes and multiple lumen outputs for any court sport application. Optional wireless control systems available.

Proudly made in America.

frasurereps.com

sportsbuilders.org

31