EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., Jan. 9, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Officials at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for years had their sights set on replacing the natural grass surface that covered Bob Guelker Field in the university's Korte Stadium. After an extensive evaluation of SIUE's options, the university selected Mondoturf Ecofill Star artificial turf. Installation of the new soccer field began in December.
"We have been researching turf fields for many years, and we have seen tremendous strides in surface fibers and products," said Brad Hewitt, athletic director, SIUE. "Mondo's patented Mondoturf Ecofill Star is a new generation of soccer surface that did not exist in the past." The artificial turf field features Ecofill Star infill, a combination of post-consumer recycled resilient granules and rounded or subangular sand, which provides unparalleled durability and is much better for the environment than traditional recycled rubber infill.
The old natural grass field was expensive to maintain and inclement weather often limited the number of days per year it could be used. But because the university's student-athletes liked playing on natural grass, SIUE wanted a turf field that would replicate its feel and responsiveness.
"They like it because they feel that it plays very much like natural grass," Hewitt said. "Mondo Ecofill Star will improve their athletic experience and cause less wear and tear on their bodies."
A significant benefit to SIUE's athletes is that Mondoturf Ecofill Star artificial turf stays cooler in hot temperatures than other turf fields. "The field will get a lot of use during summer months, so the temperature difference was an important point," Hewitt said. Once installation is complete next spring, activity on the new field will double, he added.
The installation comes as SIUE prepares to return to NCAA Division I athletics. Most of its teams will begin competing in Division I in 2012-13, but the men's soccer team -- which won a Division I national championship in 1979 -- will move up beginning in fall 2010. SIUE teams have competed at the Division II level since 1996.
Bob Guelker Field also will host the inaugural spring season of home games for Saint Louis Athletica of the newly formed Women's Professional Soccer beginning in the spring.
Installed in more than 300 facilities worldwide, Mondoturf Ecofill Star was designed through extensive biomechanical research to reproduce all of the properties of natural grass without the problems associated with artificial fields made of the increasingly controversial reground tire pellets (granules), which are commonly used by other artificial turf manufacturers.
Ecofill Star, Mondoturf's infill, is an environmentally friendly material that is virtually odor free, even in hot, humid conditions. It delivers the appropriate amount of shock absorption and energy return for optimal, natural-field-like athletic performance. Ecofill Star also retains less heat than traditional black rubber granules, so it reduces the potential for athletic fatigue and dehydration and minimizes the need for fields to be watered down prior to use. It also is completely recyclable, which is an industry first.
Mondoturf systems are manufactured in North America.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including FIBA, IAAF, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, NIRSA, U.S. Track Coaches Association and YMCA.
The company also supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring and is the world's largest producer of sports and toy balls with an average daily production of 450,000 units. In addition, it manufactures large luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division. Mondo invests heavily in research and development to ensure its products meet the highest quality standards in the industry, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo's global headquarters are in Italy. The company has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and sells its products in more than 196 countries. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondousa.com.
The Mondo logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5765
About SIUE
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a nationally recognized university that educates and develops professional and community leaders through its excellent faculty and programs. SIUE offers the advantages of a small, liberal arts college with the savings of a state university. Emphasizing undergraduate education complemented by faculty research, SIUE creates practical applications for student learning. More information about SIUE is available at www.siue.edu.
Mondo, Mondoturf and Ecofill are registered trademarks of Mondo.