The Motz Group Proud Sponsor of the OhioCollegeFootball.com All-Ohio AwardsBaltimore Orioles Unveil New Warning Track at 2013 Home OpenerGreat American Ball Park’s Stabilized Turf Sure to Yield All-Star Performance on Opening DayNKU Norse Take on Doubleheader with TMG’S TriplePlayThe Motz Group Takes on Bishop Chatard and Cardinal RitterThe Motz Group Team Delivers ASBA Certified Field Builder ExpertiseZach Burns, President of The Motz Group, Inducted Into Brown University Athletic Hall of FameZach Burns From The Motz Group Elected to Synthetic Turf Council Board of DirectorsMATT HOGG JOINS THE MOTZ GROUP, LLCThe Joe Nuxhall Miracle League FieldsTMG • Committed to QualityRiverbend Music Center goes Green…Schinner Named Ops. VP of Cincinnati Based Motz GroupTMG Names New President, Zach BurnsWIN IT!!  Take me out to the ballgame!!University of Dayton / Stuart FieldElizabethtown Sports ComplexTalawanda High SchoolTMG named top 50 finalist in Courier’s Best Places to WorkNotre Dame Academy Wins STC Field of Dreams HonorIllinois Enacts Soccer Goal Safety LawTrotwood Madison SlideshowMansfield High School - Ready to Play Football!TMG installs in Northeastern Ohio / Hudson Middle SchoolWSU: A New Student Recreation FieldSaint Ursula AcademyThomas WorthingtonAthens / Triumph after TragedyPicture Perfect Field First Of Its KindRain Rain Go AwayTwo Motz Group teams advance to State Finals!St. Ursula breaks ground on turf field2011 Joe Motz Student of the YearOhio College Football Senior Bowl II2011 Search for the Real Field of Dreams™Opening Day on Triple PlayGroundbreaking at University of DaytonReds owner Castellini to throw first pitch at new Summit ball fieldGreat American’s Turf is Ready for Opening Day!New Turf - Triple Play HP - Offers Realistic PlaySynthetic turf helps the environmentMark Heinlein, ASBA Certified Field BuilderTennessee Tech installs 24/7HP® in Indoor FacilityCity of Wyoming RecreationAll Things Football Coach…Synthetic Turf Snow RemovalNew High Tech Baseball Field, First of its KindNKU Men’s Soccer WINS NCAA National Championship!Madeira Girls State Champs in SoccerTwo Motz Group Teams Advance to State SemifinalsCongratulations Henry Clay ~ Soccer Champions!2010 State Soccer Championships2010 High School Football Playoffs!Alveo Technical Sports Pad LayerFor McNick, There’s No Place Like HOMERiverside Park ~ Anderson Township Park DistrictScott High School’s New Home TurfNKU Norse Dedicate New StadiumSynthetic Maintenance Program at Paul Brown StadiumPiqua High SchoolHow Sweet It Is!  PHS Complete!Post Season Play on Motz’s HPG / TSII TurfThe Motz Group Launches New WebsiteTri-Valley Named STC Field of Dreams National FinalistLindsey Wilson Ready to Play Football on Their New Motz Group FieldLaSalle High School - Cincinnati, OhioTurpin High School (2) - Cincinnati, OhioMiami DolphinsTennessee TechTurpin High School (1) - Cincinnati, OhioSMP™ Synthetic Maintenance Program‘New’ Frank Irelan Field officially dedicated at CMHSOwnership Thinking 2010 ConferenceOwsley B. Frazier Stadium — Bellarmine UniversityThe Motz Group Donates Synthetic Turf to Cincinnati Children’s
Seasongood Pavilion Installs Synthetic GrassClinton-Massie Awards Construction ContractThe Motz Group Breaks Ground on Two Local High School Synthetic Turf FieldsSynthetic Baseball and Softball Fields for New Richmond High SchoolNew Richmond HS Baseball Synthetic TurfSearch for the Real Field of Dreams™2010 Joe Motz Buckeye Sports Turf Student of the YearSnow Removal TipsOffice CoordinatorSales & Marketing AssistantA Decade of Support from The Motz GroupSuper Bowl Grass Scores an ACEHG Turf - A Year in Review - 2007Joseph Motz Named Chairman of the Synthetic Turf Council Board of DirectorsGreat American BallparkExpensive Turf Becomes Trend at Area High School StadiumsNew Track at Tucker Stadium Now Available for Public UseLeader in Synthetic Turf Announces New Partnership with Internationally Known ManufacturerSuper Bowl XLI Turf Was MVPThe Motz Group Helps Usher in New Era for Yankees Triple-A TeamThe Motz Group Plays Part in 2006 Asian GamesMelbourne Cricket GroundsSheikh Khalifa StadiumThe Motz Group Completes Field for The Miami DolphinsNew Field Stadium for Urbana University

The Motz Group honored to assist in presenting at the Senior Bowl Kick-Off & Awards Banquet.Baltimore Orioles Unveil New Warning Installed by The Motz Group at Home Opener Friday, April 5, 2013Great American Ball Park, Home of the Cincinnati Reds, Showcases the TS-II® Synthetically Stabilized Turf System Recently Installed by The Motz GroupNKU’s Baseball Team Plays First Home Game of the Season on Brand New Synthetic Turf Field The Motz Group takes on field installations at Bishop Chatard and Cardinal Ritter in Indianapolis, Indiana.ASBA Releases Video Highlighting Benefits of Having Certified Field Builders on StaffBrown University Athletic Hall of Fame Induction on Saturday, November 3rdNew Board Elected At Recent Annual Membership MeetingZach Burns, President of The Motz Group, LLC, (TMG) is pleased to announce that Matt Hogg has joined TMG as Field Consultant. On Friday March 30th, employees from The Motz Group - field and office staff - spent the day installing turf and infilling Envirofill® for the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. Another TMG Certified Field Builder. Just one more way that The Motz Group is showing commitment to and focus on quality. ...and will stay green with the RMC Amphitheater Turf® system installed this winter.Cincinnati, OH - (February 23, 2012) - The Motz Group, LLC, (TMG) a leader in design and installation of natural and synthetic turf, announced Paul Schinner’s promotion to Vice President of Operations, effective February 1. While Joe Motz remains CEO, Zach Burns will lead the Motz Group as President.Win 4 Cincinnati Reds Opening Day tickets!!How many soccer balls would it take to cover the surface of the brand new Stuart Field? According to our calculations.. over 323,636! That's a lot of soccer balls!The Motz Group has begun working on a brand new 150-acre sports complex in Elizabethtown Kentucky. It's going to be an exciting new year for community members and students of Talawanda High School! A brand new high school will be ready for use in January 2012 and a brand new synthetic turf field is ready for action. The Cincinnati Business Courier has released the names of the 50 finalists for the 2011 Best Places to Work. Among them, The Motz Group!Congratulations Notre Dame Academy, winners of Synthetic Turf Council's Top Athletic Field in the 2011 Real Field of Dreams ContestMom wins, makes soccer goals safer; Quinn signs bill to prevent danger that killed her sonSlideshow of images from construction to dedication to the first kick off on Trotwood's brand new 24/7® synthetic turf. Mansfield Senior High School is ready to play some football on their brand new synthetic turf field installed by The Motz Group of Cincinnati. Motz has just completed the 24/7® synthetic turf system that is infilled with recycled crumb rubber and sand.It won't be long until students, athletes and community members will be playing ball on Hudson Middle School's new Scott Malson Field. The Motz Group will complete the system installation in August, just in time for the 2011/2012 season. The Motz Group of Cincinnati has begun laying 72,000 square feet of 24/7® turf for the recreation and club teams at Wright State University. The Bulldogs of St. Ursula Academy in East Walnut Hills are soon to take the field on their new Motz Group 24/7® field - few deserve it more.The Thomas Worthington Cards are really excited about the new turf field that's being installed at the High School.Thursday September 16, 2010. It was the first tornado to hit The Plains, Ohio since 1937. It’s a whole new ballgame now for The Summit Country Day School, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.The month of April 2011brought record amounts of rain to the tri-state area. Baseball teams everywhere were canceling because field conditions were saturated.Perrysburg and Lakota East are matching up in the Ohio Division I baseball state title tomorrow at 10am. Both schools have fought hard to get where they are, both schools are fighting for their first state victory and both teams play their fall sports on a Motz Group field!St. Ursula Academy proudly broke ground Wednesday, April 27 on its new synthetic turf field that will replace the grass field on the northwest side of SUA’s campus in East Walnut Hills. At the 14th annual Ohio State Sports Turf Short Course, Ohio State announced that Senior Matt Brown has been named the 2011 Joe Motz Sports Turf Students of the Year.Saturday, April 23 / Columbus Crew Stadium / Kickoff 5pmThe Synthetic Turf Council (STC) is holding its annual Search for the Real Field of Dreams™contest, and The Motz Group wants its partner fields to be rewarded. Summit Country Day's opening day on their brand new Triple Play™ HP turf.Board of Trustees approves renovations of Stuart Field, turfing to begin this month.Cincinnati Reds Owner Bob Castellini will throw out the first pitch Tuesday at The Summit Country Day School’s first home game of the season. The occasion marks the first game played on The Summit’s new high-performance artificial turf. Mr. Castellini is one of the donors who made the new field possibleIn just three short days Great American Ball Park will be alive with fans cheering on The Cincinnati Reds when they take the field against The Milwaukee Brewers. The seats are ready, the concessions are ready, the players are ready and the turf is ready...Summit Country Day School will open its baseball season on a brand new field - The Motz Group Triple Play HP system. A field that is not only unique but one of a kind.While millions of people, businesses, schools and homeowners use synthetic turf for landscape and play, one of its major beneficiaries is the environment.After many years of experience and many hours of study Mark Heinlein, Senior Vice President of The Motz Group, is officially an ASBA Certified Field Builder.The Motz Group recently finished installation of 10,000 square feet of 24/7HP® synthetic turf at Tennessee Tech University's new athletic training facility. The Motz Group recently installed a 24/7® multi-use synthetic turf field at the Wyoming Recreation Center.If you are planning to attend America's Greatest Football Clinic, make sure to stop by to see Zach Burns and Dan Veil of The Motz Group, as they will be displaying at the show. Contact Dan Veil at The Motz Group (513-533-6452) for all of your snow removal needsThe Motz Group began installation of a Triple Play™ HP synthetic turf baseball system Wednesday at The Summit Country Day School’s Athletic Complex. CHAMPIONS! NKU men's soccer takes national title with dramatic 3-2 victory over RollinsAmazons Win State Title! Anderson and Madeira girls soccer teams clinch regional titles and head to state girls soccer semifinals.Henry Clay boys ride bond to state soccer championship Good luck to all Motz Group teams in the state tournaments. Check here for schedules and results!It's November and getting colder outside. It's not yet time to hang up the cleats, shoulder pads and helmets... it's time to play the post season. It's time for the playoffs!ALVEOSPORT® Technical Sports Layer is an innovative technical foam layer that is the foundation of top performing fields. The pad contributes to maintaining key field performance values, including ball bounce/roll, energy restitution, shock absorption and deformation.Archbishop McNicholas High School finally played a homecoming game at home.The Motz Group has just finished installing the 165,000-square-foot synthetic field that will be used for football, soccer and lacrosse.Scott Eagles Stadium hosted its first game of the season with one brand-new striking feature: artificial playing turf.The Motz Group recently finished installing NKU's new synthetic turf field at their new Soccer Stadium.This video demonstrates our Synthetic Maintenance Program at Paul Brown Stadium - home of the Cincinnati Bengals.This video shows Piqua High School's completed 24/7 synthetic fieldEd Purk Field at Alexander Stadium has never looked so good!! If you are a Reds fan, it's time to get excited! For the first time since 1995 The Cincinnati Reds have won the National League Central and are headed to post season play!New site delivers clean look with clear messaging.The results have come in for STC's Real Field of Dreams contest. We are so proud of our fields that were either finalists or nominees! With kickoff for Lindsey Wilson College's first football game in 75 years just two days away, head coach Chris Oliver is excited about taking the field on their new Motz Group Turf.Installation of field graphics and logos. With the field complete, marching band practice begins. The 24/7® field is designed for durability, to meet the needs of all the activities it needs to support. This video demonstrates several of the steps The Motz Group utilized to install a 24/7® playing surface in the Miami Dolphins new training facility in Davie, Florida. This time lapse video shows the replacement of the old field at Tennessee Tech University. Installation of the Turpin Spartans midfield logo.The Motz Group offers a unique annual deep cleaning service that is engineered to functionally, hygienically, and aesthetically improve synthetic turf field surfaces.The “new” Frank Irelan Field was officially dedicated Tuesday night during the Meet the Teams ceremony at Clinton-Massie High School.An invitation to a conference worthy of your time.In the fall of 2007, Bellarmine University dedicated the $5.1 million Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on campus.The Motz Group Donates Synthetic Sports Turf to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The Synthetic Sports Turf is going to be used for a study involving area high schools students and to determine why female athletes seem to be at greater risk of ACL injuries when playing on synthetic sports turf. 
The Motz Group recently installed synthetic grass at Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Seasongood hosts an abundance of people for all sorts of entertaining events. In an area that was once hard to maintain natural grass they decided to have The Motz Group install synthetic grass. Clinton-Massie recently awarded an athletic turf construction contact to The Motz Group. After many months of fund raising and processing bids for this new athletic turf system, Clinton-Massie is excited that construction will be underway in early spring. Two local high schools, Mt. Healthy and Scott, will be playing on new synthetic home football fields this fall.The Motz Group installed brand new softball and baseball synthetic turf systems for New Richmond High School. The decision was made to install the new softball and baseball synthetic turf to limit maintenance time and costs as well as making sure that the athletes would be able to take the field after inclement weather.Synthetic Baseball and Softball Fields for New Richmond High School The Synthetic Turf Council is looking for a synthetic turf field that tells a story. The Search for the Real Field of Dreams™ is a national contest looking for the high school, college, municipal park or public organization with the most compelling story about its synthetic turf field. The Motz Group wants you to enter your TMG synthetic turf field into this great contest! Congratulations to Robbie Dworkin, recipient of the 2010 Joe Motz Buckeye Sports Turf Student of the Year.  This award is given in honor of Joe Motz, sports turf entrepreneur. A few tips to keep your turf in shape through the winter.The Motz Group Hires Erin Richards as Office CoordinatorThe Motz Group Hires Dan Veil as Sales & Marketing AssistantThe Motz Group supports The Ohio State University Turfgrass Science ProgramGN-1 incorporated into Motz Stabalized Turf2007 will be remembered as they year the drought really hit the turf industry. New Board Elected At Recent Annual Membership MeetingThis video demonstrates the final cutting stage of the turf replacement of Great American Ballpark in 2007.New surface means teams can practice on the field even in bad weather conditionsTennessee Tech's new field highlightedThe Motz Group (TMG), innovators in the design and construction of synthetic field turf systems, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the worlds leading fiber manufacturer for synthetic turf, TenCate Grass. PAT highlighted at this year's Super BowlThe Motz Group battled severe weather conditions to assure top Yankees’ prospects opened their season on an all-new natural grass field.The Motz Group to install TSII in Sheikh Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar for the 2006 Asian GamesThis time lapse video shows the installation of the field from beginning to end.This video demonstrates several of the steps The Motz Group utilized to install a TSII ® field in Sheikh Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The Miami Dolphins are on solid footing every time they take the field this season.The Motz Group was selected as general contractor to design and build Urbana University’s new athletic field stadium.

The Motz Group (TMG) is pleased to cheer on the 2012 OhioCollegeFootball.com All-Ohio Coaches and Players of the Year award winners. As a proud sponsor of 2012 awards, TMG was honored to assist in presenting at the Senior Bowl Kick-Off & Awards Banquet held on Friday, April 19th at the McKinley Grand Hotel in Canton, Ohio.

As an organization that has been building fields and building trust for over 35 years, TMG frequently has the pleasure of working with coaches who covet their sport, stand by their team, and take pride in their facilities. In sponsoring the All-Ohio awards, we were able to help showcase some of those individuals who give their absolute “all” for the sake of their players and the greater good of their teams. 

“We are very pleased to be able to participate in recognizing the hard work and dedication.  These young men truly represent the best of Ohio’s collegiate student athletes both on and off the field.  We are honored to commend the players on their exemplary collegiate careers and the coaches as they continue the rich coaching tradition here in Ohio.,” said Matt Hogg (on left), TMG Field Consultant.

Congratulations to the 2012 All-Ohio Coaches of the Year award winners, Urban Meyer, The Ohio State University, Lee Owens, Ashland University, Tom Watts (on right), Ohio Wesleyan University, and Larry Kehres, University of Mount Union! And to the exceptional Players of the Year winners, Braxton Miller, The Ohio State University, John Simon, The Ohio State University, Taylor Housewright, Ashland University, James Clay, College of Mount St. Joseph, Darius Wilson, Central State University, and Nick Driskill, University of Mount Union. The Motz Group commends you for your excellence!

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, is opening the 2013 season with a fresh addition. This Friday, April 5th, the Orioles will be taking on the Minnesota Twins with their recently updated warning track, unique from any of its predecessors. Since the ballpark opened in 1992, Oriole Park‘s warning track has been replaced several times but has always been made out of synthetic material, that is…until now. 

With goals of achieving optimal playability, improving drainage performance, and perfect aesthetics, the Orioles called upon their trusted partner, The Motz Group (TMG), to handle their warning track conversion. TMG had done a complete field replacement project for them in 2001, retrofitting their old Prescription Athletic Turf (PAT) system with new PAT technology and engineering.

TMG launched the Oriole Park warning track conversion with the removal of the synthetic rubber topcoat and asphalt layer, an 8-inch depth around the entire perimeter of the field. The effort to remove the existing track was successfully completed, while still managing to keep the original stone base.

Once the existing synthetic warning track was removed and the framework was in place, it was time to install its natural crushed brick and limestone replacement. Keeping playability in mind, the replacement material was a much-needed improvement. With the all-natural material, players can count on a reduction in ball bounce that yield ground-rule doubles and a cooler surface for those hot summer days.

Along with the warning track revamp came an improvement in drainage performance. The previous track was impervious in certain locations, causing water to sheet and pond on the field. Now, with the revised structure in place, water is draining vertically through the track and at a rapid pace.

In addition, it was imperative to capture the nostalgia of Oriole Park and match its surroundings accurately to create the perfect finishing touch! The color blend, made up of over 102,000 individual crushed bricks, was chosen based on its coordination with the ballpark’s wall foundation and attached warehouse. Once the selection was made, TMG pressed on installing a 4-inch depth of #8 limestone topped with another 4-inches of crushed brick throughout the entire warning track.

Now, for the 2013 season, Oriole Park has a warning track that plays more similarly to those in other major league ballparks across the United States with improved drainage and a cohesive look, finished look!

For more information on TMG’s natural and synthetic turf solutions, contact us today at 513.533.6452 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)!

Spring 2013 is officially here and so is Opening Day for Great American Ball Park! On Monday, April 1st, Cincinnati Reds fans will pour into the stadium expecting an exciting game against the Los Angeles Angels. But, what spectators might not know, is that this game will be taking place on a TS-II® Synthetically Stabilized Turf System installed by The Motz Group in the Fall of 2012.

The Motz Group’s TS-II system is a patented combination of natural grass growing in a unique stabilizing mat. The combination produces a system that delivers the manageability, playability and flexibility demanded by today’s world-class venues. It is the perfect solution that is sure to score!

With TS-II, athletes will find value in the horizontal stability, increased wear tolerance, and decreased divoting seen on many all-natural grass fields. In addition to exceeding the aesthetic demands of today’s sport field market, it provides a great deal of flexibility for rapid replacement of logos, aiding displacement damage and worn areas with immediate play upon installation or rotation. Equally suited for warm and cool season grass species, its 100% natural grass surface meets all governing body regulations.

Do you want to get a sneak peak before the Cincinnati Reds’ big home opener? CLICK HERE to see The Motz Group take the field and watch the progress as the surface undergoes a complete transformation!

For more information on our TS-II, contact us at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) today!

In the fall of 2012, The Motz Group (TMG) installed a brand-new TriplePlay synthetic turf system for Northern Kentucky University’s Bill Aker Baseball Complex. With this installation came many benefits for the NCAA Division I team, including a reduction in daily upkeep and dependable playability. The NKU Norse team members no longer have to be concerned with wet weather conditions that make for a messy infield, inconsistent playability, and even worse, rain outs! Now, they have the competitive advantage of a pristine field with lasting consistency and reduced maintenance.

This feature benefit was put to the test on Sunday, March 10th, when NKU Norse baseball team played a doubleheader just a few short days after one of Greater Cincinnati’s worst winter storms of 2013. Bringing with it 3-5 inches of snow, typically, this amount of precipitation would have taken this field straight “out of the game”. Luckily, with their recently installed synthetic turf system in place, NKU’s fighting Norse were able to take Marshall University’s Thundering Herd on for two back-to-back games.

Fans were on the edge of their seats awaiting a nail-biting finish in Sunday’s series nightcap. In the end, the Thundering Herd sought victory over the Norse, pulling two consecutive wins at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex to add to their four-game weekend sweep. For more detailed highlights on Sunday’s doubleheader, click here.

“The Motz Group’s TriplePlay synthetic turf system is the most realistic and best performing baseball specific synthetic turf system I’ve been on. Our players and coaches love the ball bounce that comes off the TriplePlay surface,” said Todd Asalon, NKU Head Baseball Coach.

“The entire group at Motz was a pleasure to work with and did a fantastic job completing our project. I would highly recommend Motz to anyone looking at installing a synthetic turf baseball field,” added Coach Asalon.

For more information on synthetic turf for your sporting field, contact us at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

About TMG’S TriplePlay™ Synthetic Turf Baseball System
Designed specifically for baseball, TriplePlay’s durable, all-weather surface allows for more games throughout the year, while significantly increasing consistency and reducing maintenance costs. TriplePlay is a value-engineered synthetic turf system and has widespread appeal across all levels of baseball. It’s manufactured using the highest quality, wear resistant pile fiber available, and infilled with crumb rubber and sand. Designed for extended play and minimal maintenance, this system hits a homerun every time! 

The Motz Group was busy in Indianapolis this past summer transforming two local preparatory high school sporting facilities, Bishop Chatard and Cardinal Ritter. Both schools opted to install new synthetic turf fields, and Bishop Chatard took it one step further installing a state-of-the-art synthetic turf baseball field. With this installation, the school made history becoming the first high school in Indiana to install a full synthetic turf baseball field.

These new fields have become home to each school’s football practices, soccer matches, track meets, and various other sports programs. With these new complexes come opportunities that these schools hadn’t been able to pursue in the past. They can easily host tournaments and playoffs, along with community events for local youth leagues and neighborhood associations.

“We were really impressed with the quality, look, and feel of the fields that The Motz Group had done. We did our research, explored all of our options, and in the end they were the obvious choice,” said Bill Sahm, President of Bishop Chatard.

The Motz Group strives to deliver exceptional quality and consistency in each field that we construct. We have been building fields and building trust for over 35 years, with quality craftsmanship in the forefront of our focus. Our philosophy begins with a solid foundation and is followed by layers of experience, dedication with undisputed character that creates the perfect environment for success.

“The number one reason we selected The Motz Group is their proven commitment to service,” shared Greg Perkins, President of Cardinal Ritter.

Bishop Chatard and Cardinal Ritter both enjoyed impressive first seasons with the help of their new facilities in place with Bishop Chatard claiming another state title and Cardinal Ritter becoming a state finalist. The schools are very pleased with all the benefits their new fields provide and their team members alike are looking forward to a successful 2013!

The Motz Group is proud to have multiple team members who are Certified Field Builders accredited by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The Certified Field Builder Program was developed by the ASBA to help raise professional standards and to improve the practice of field construction. To learn more about the expertise that our Certified Field Builders will bring to your facility, please CLICK HERE to check out a brief video highlight!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - The Motz Group’s very own President, Zach Burns, was inducted into the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 3rd, for his exceptional athletic accomplishments.

Burns, who graduated from the university in 1999, has been notably recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in Brown football history. Burns played for Brown all four years of his college career, earning All-Ivy League status two times and was the first Brown football player ever to be named first team Associated Press All-American his senior year.

This honorable recognition of Zach’s performance is very well deserved. His strong leadership and team-oriented manner has proven to carry throughout both his athletic and professional career,” said Joseph Motz, CEO of The Motz Corporation.

For more details on Burns’ impressive athletic performance while at Brown University, please CLICK HERE.

As an organization that takes great pride in our employees’ personal and professional achievements, The Motz Group would like to congratulate Zach Burns on this incredible accomplishment. We are very proud to have one of the best tight ends in Ivy League history as a valued team member.

Cincinnati, Ohio – Zach Burns, President of The Motz Group, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) during its Annual Membership Meeting in Dallas, TX. The STC promotes the industry, educates the general public, and assists buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf and landscape applications. Burns’ election to the Board recognizes his leadership position within the industry overall.

“Our Board plays an extremely active role in shaping the strategic direction of the Council,” explains Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Zach's contributions to the industry are tremendous, and we are confident the association will continue to grow under his leadership.”

Based in Cincinnati, The Motz Group specializes in design and construction of natural and synthetic turf athletic field systems. The company has provided design, construction, installation, and maintenance for sporting fields for more than 35 years. The Motz Group has been especially committed to advancing STC’s mission of maintaining the highest quality practices and standards throughout the industry.

Demand for synthetic turf has escalated over the past few years, with about 7,000 athletic fields currently in operation across North America. Each year, thousands of residences, businesses, parks, municipal spaces and golf courses turn to synthetic turf for its numerous benefits. Synthetic turf conserves billions of gallons of water each year, and eliminates the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

About the Synthetic Turf Council
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Hogg will be responsible for selling the design and delivery of TMG synthetic and natural turf field systems, as well as sales of TMG synthetic turf maintenance programs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

“The Motz Group is thrilled to have Matt join our team,” said Burns.  “His high level of experience in the industry, excellent reputation and commitment to providing unmatched customer service throughout the project is a perfect fit for TMG’s all-inclusive field delivery approach.”

A veteran of the synthetic turf industry for over seven years, Hogg has successfully lead sales teams and implemented strategy throughout the Midwest.

Hogg was also an offensive lineman in the NFL from 1998-2000 for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers.  Collegiately, he starred at Youngstown State University where he earned All-American honors.  Hogg resides in Strongsville, Ohio, with his wife and two children. 

About The Motz Group:
The Motz Group (TMG) is a leader in the design and construction of natural and synthetic turf athletic field systems. From management team to field associates, every employee is committed to ensuring that clients are treated with integrity and receive TMGs very best effort.  TMG fields span five continents; have hosted the Olympics, World Cup matches, Super Bowls and The World Series.  Notable national clients include; The Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, LA Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Innovators in High Performance Turf. ™

You might be thinking that we installed the baseball turf, since that’s something we do quite often.  Not so this time!  We actually installed two landscape areas in front of what will soon be the concession area. The ball fields of the Miracle League Field will actually be made of rubber.  A durable, spongy, painted rubber surface that will allow wheelchair-bound individuals or individuals with trouble walking to play safely. 

The Miracle League Fields are making it possible for handicapped children to play baseball.  It’s enough to bring a tear to your eye when you see the joy on the children’s faces that might not have ever had a chance to play a sport that so many of us take for granted. 

We, at The Motz Group, consider ourselves very lucky to have had a chance to be a small part of this enormous project that will touch the heart and souls of so many children and families!

Special thanks to Kim Nuxhall and Cliff Bown for your hospitality and education regarding this wonderful project.

Click here to see images from our Day

Click here to learn more about The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields

Paul Schinner, Vice President of Operations for The Motz Group,  has earned his American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) Certified Field Builder (CFB) certification. 

“We are really proud of this recognition for Paul” says Zach Burns, President of Cincinnati based Motz Group.  “TMG promotes and encourages professional and personal growth throughout its employees.  Paul’s hard work and commitment to building top notch athletic fields is apparent.  His recognition is well deserved.”

The CFB program was developed by the ASBA to help raise professional standards and improve the practice of field construction.  The CFB designation is awarded to individuals who have passed a comprehensive examination to demonstrate knowledge of all facets of sports field construction.  The ASBA’s certification program has become recognized as the standard of achievement for sports facility construction.  CFB implies an overall knowledge of sports field construction and maintenance, for both natural grass and synthetic turf facilities.

Burns continued, “The Motz Group is only one of 24 sports field construction companies that have a Certified Field Builder on staff, and one of only 8 that have two! Paul is the second person on our team to receive such a high honor.”

For more information please contact:
Erin Richards, Office Coordinator
The Motz Group
513-533-6452
www.themotzgroup.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Motz Group has just finished installing 120,000 square feet of RMC Amphitheater Turf® at Riverbend Music Center.  The system installed at Riverbend includes a premium monofilament fiber coupled with Envirofill® acrylic coated sand.  This combination provides the look and feel of a perfectly manicured natural lawn. 

For more information contact Zach Burns, President of The Motz Group at 513-533-6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Music in the mud? Not with this grass
Riverbend lawn goes artificial

Article written by Cincinnati Enquirer’s Cliff Radel
link to article can be found HERE.

Riverbend’s lawn just turned green. Thanks goes not to winter’s warm weather, but to the wonders of science.

And the generosity of the late Patricia Corbett.

With Corbett’s funds paying for state-the-art technology, the amphitheater on the Ohio has become the world’s first concert venue of its size to cover its lawn – all 2.75 acres – with artificial grass.

This development marks another milestone at the bend in the river where millions of Greater Cincinnatians have traditionally gone to have fun, reminisce and be a kid again for 126 years.

This piece of sacred ground began its history as a destination for enjoyment when the Coney Island amusement park opened on June 21, 1886.

That tradition expanded in 1984, with Riverbend opening as the summer home of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras, as well as the place to see top internationally known touring acts.

Riverbend’s ticket sales annually place the venue among the world’s top 10 amphitheaters

The facility’s elaborate $750,000 system of turf, rock and drains has been in the planning stages for five years.

Installed over the last 10 weeks, the lawn is ready for the 2012 season-opener: Brad Paisley with The Band Perry & Scotty McCreery, on May 20.

At that show, concertgoers will encounter a lawn consisting of five layers: 120,000 square feet of non-flammable plastic turf; 660,000 pounds of non-toxic, acrylic-coated, round-grained, bacteria-resistant sand; two layers of crushed limestone; and 1.04 miles of drainage pipe.

The reasons behind this groundbreaking move:

Reduce Riverbend’s carbon footprint. It eliminates the need for fertilizers, pesticides, weed-killers and gas-powered lawn mowers.

Save money. The lawn’s grass surface annually consumed 600,000 gallons of water for irrigation and $90,000 for replacement rolls of sod.

Sell more tickets. Projections call for a 10 percent jump in lawn ticket sales.

Extend the amphitheater’s brand. Riverbend plans to market the system to outdoor concert venues around the world.

Ramp up the fun factor for people who sit, stand and dance on the lawn.

“People are finally going to be able to enjoy a sold-out show on the lawn, without worrying about it turning to mud if it rains,” said Mike Smith, Riverbend’s longtime general manager and a vice president with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the amphitheater’s owner.

Zach Burns slid and slipped his way through the slop on the muddy lawn at several rained-soaked Riverbend shows. Since the facility’s 1984 opening, tens of thousands of lawn patrons have watched the space become a mud pit during concerts by Jimmy Buffett and the Dave Matthews Band. Tons of straw were placed over the goop.

“That did not make for a very inviting experience,” Burns said. He remembered one concert “where people were pulling up the sod and throwing it around. That tore me up.”

Burns has strong feelings about sod. He’s president of the Motz Group. The Newtown company installs playing surfaces, sod and synthetic, in stadiums all over the world.

Along with USGreentech, another Newtown firm, the Motz Group laid the carpet and foundation for Riverbend’s new lawn.

State-of-the-art turf will have its own brand name, too
The amphitheater’s synthetic turf will soon have its own brand name, either Riverbend Concert Turf or RMC Amphitheater Turf. (RMC stands for Riverbend Music Center.)

“Since the wear and tear on grass is a concern at all amphitheaters,” Smith said, “we expect to hear from lots of our colleagues in the industry as to how this works.”

The top layer is made up of densely packed, 2-inch-tall blades of non-flammable plastic grass. The blades are shorter than lawn grass blades. They are close to the height of the frog-hair turf surrounding golf putting greens. Sections of the grass carpet are sewn together and held down by spikes.

Round, green, acrylic-coated grains of sand mined in Texas and called Envirofill are placed on the grass, as infill. There are 5.5 pounds of sand per square foot of synthetic turf. The sand’s coating is bacteria-, mildew- and mold-resistant. The grains’ round structure keeps the blades of turf standing at attention.

The roundness also acts as a cushion, preventing the sand from compacting. The base of the turf has millions of holes to let moisture drain, first through a 2-inch-thick layer of finely crushed Georgia limestone, then a 4-inch-thick layer of coarsely crushed limestone leading to a network of 10-inch drainpipes.

Unlike earlier generations of artificial turf, Riverbend’s synthetic grass is completely recyclable. Older turf used pellets, called crumb rubber, made from recycled car tires for its infill.

“Crumb rubber is flammable,” noted Adam Coleman, USGreentech division manager. “That could not be used at Riv-erbend.”

And foot traffic over the pellets creates static electricity, causing them to stick to shoes, pants and people. Riverbend’s sand infill, which USGreentech has installed on playing surfaces in stadiums in Europe and Australia, stays put.

Synthetic grass can get hot under broiling summer sun. Riverbend has installed a misting system to cool the turf.

“We can run the hoses 30 minutes before we open the gates,” Smith said. “That can drop the surface temperature 10 to 25 degrees and it will be dry in 10 minutes.”

Patricia Corbett, the arts angel of Cincinnati, is still at work
Riverbend’s turf could also go by this nickname: Pat’s Greener Grass.

Patricia Corbett’s philanthropic donations built Riverbend. One night, as she walked to her seat in the pavilion, named for her late husband, J. Ralph Corbett, she gazed at the lawn. “It’s so beautiful,” she remarked. “I wish more people would use it.”

Corbett died in 2008. “When she passed away, she left an endowment for Riverbend,” Smith said. “It is only to be used for improving the patrons’ quality of life. This improvement, the new lawn, is the kind of creative, innovative, unique thing that she always supported for the place she liked to call ‘my theater.’ ”

Her wish for more people to use Riv-erbend’s lawn may come true.

“We have conservatively projected a 10-percent increase in ticket sales,” Smith said. “This new lawn takes away the factor of people not going to a concert if it has rained.”

If those projections hold, Riverbend could jump a notch in the annual international ranking of amphitheaters. For 2011, Pollstar, a concert-industry bible, listed Riverbend in fourth place with 329,979 tickets sold. Only first-place DTE Energy Music Theatre, outside Detroit, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo., and Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., sold more tickets. A 10-percent increase would put Riverbend in third place.

“Some people have said that in this economy this is a risky investment,” Smith said. “But thanks to Mrs. Corbett’s gift, a 10-percent increase in ticket sales on a lawn that has a 10-year lifespan will be an extremely wise business decision.”

“For almost two decades at The Motz Group, Paul has demonstrated excellence in integrity, work-ethic, loyalty and customer service.  I’m excited to watch Paul move into this new role and further develop our expanding operations capabilities.”,” said Zach Burns, President of TMG.

Schinner, who has been with TMG for over 18 years, studied business management at Ashland University and University of Cincinnati.  He began his turf career as a co-op student from Cincinnati State’s Horticulture and Turf Management Program.  “My first job was maintaining the turf and properties at the College Football Hall of Fame, Spinney Field, the Bengals practice fields, and Midland baseball fields.”  When he joined the TMG team he installed PAT® systems all over the United States, Brazil, Australia, Olympic venues, NFL and MLB fields. 

Schinner’s VP responsibilities include overseeing all production, estimating, bidding, budgets, and synthetic and natural field installations.  “I am very proud and humbled by the opportunities presented to me over the past 18 years at The Motz Group. I enjoy coming to work every day and being surrounded by the best and brightest team in the business and look forward to the challenges that the future holds.”
Paul and his wife Ulrika reside in Milford with their two children.

About TMG:
The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world- class synthetic and natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  They specialize in professional, collegiate and high school athletics, as well as parks and recreation.  TMG is known locally for its work with the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, many area high schools including Mariemont, Summit Country Day and Moeller and known nationally for work with the LA Dodgers, Miami Dolphins, THE Ohio State University and two Super Bowls.

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CINCINNATI BASED THE MOTZ GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

Cincinnati, OH -  (February 16, 2012) - The Motz Group, LLC, (TMG) a leader in design and installation of natural and synthetic turf, announces the selection of Zach Burns, as their new president, effective February 1. 

Joe Motz, CEO of TMG said, “It was extremely important that we find a strong leader who would build on the foundation already in place at TMG. Zach possesses all of the tools needed to be an effective leader and meshes perfectly into the corporate culture we have successfully fostered. It has given me great personal satisfaction to coach and mentor Zach. I know he will lead this company with integrity. His broad product knowledge, relationships with clients and peers and strategic vision make him the ideal person to guide The Motz Group into the future.”

Burns began working with TMG in early 2008 with his focus on sales and marketing.  Working up through the ranks from installing fields to Director, then Vice President and will now serve as President for The Motz Group.

“From project inception through construction and on-going maintenance, Zach and his capable team work hand in hand with field owners to ensure an excellent experience.” Says Darian Daily, Head Grounds Keeper of Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Bengals.

On his promotion to President, Burns said “I’m thrilled and honored with the opportunity to lead TMG into the future.  For over 35 years, TMG has been synonymous with cutting edge innovation, safe and high quality products, and best in class customer service.  Our team is committed to this mission, which allows us to exceed customer expectations.”

Burns is actively involved with the Synthetic Turf Council and Vistage International. Burns earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Behavior and Management at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. As a tight end for the Bears, he earned 1st-Team All American and All-Ivy honors during his football career.  Zach resides in his childhood hometown of Lebanon, Ohio with his wife Jennifer and their three children.

About TMG:
The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world- class synthetic and natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  They specialize in professional, collegiate and high school athletics, as well as parks and recreation.  Some notable projects include fields for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Dolphins, The Ohio State University, LA Dodgers and two Super Bowls.

Since 1977, The Motz Group has established a reputation for delivering quality products and services with the highest level of integrity and accountability. We’re proud of our rich history and believe in our solid future.  March 17th, 2012 marks 35 successful years for The Motz Group!  To celebrate we are giving away 4 Club Seats to Opening Day at Great American Ballpark!

Win 4 tickets to Opening Day!! 

April 5th, 2012 • 4:05pm • Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins

You have up to four chances to be in our randomly selected drawing:

For one entry: Follow The Motz Group on Twitter & make a comment on our giveaway tweet

For one entry: “Like” The Motz Group on Facebook & comment on our giveaway post

For one entry: Retweet our giveaway

For one entry: Repost our giveaway

Deadline for entry is Thursday March 22, 2012.
Winner will be selected by random drawing.

Stuart Field, home to the University of Dayton Intramural and Club teams, is complete.  With more than 222,500 square feet of 24/7® turf the UD student athletes will have plenty of space to do what they do best…play ball. 

According to Flyer News, UD’s student newspaper, there are over 2,600 students each year that play nearly 1,500 outdoor intramural games.

The logo
The University of Dayton logo, 244’ wide x 83’ tall,  is the largest that The Motz Group has ever installed.  Aircraft pilots and passengers will have no trouble knowing exactly where The University of Dayton and Stuart Field are!  Located between Kettering Hall and the new RecPlex, the new field has permanent lines for four league size fields, will host lacrosse, rugby, flag football, softball, soccer and many other sports.

24/7®
Stuart Field’s new 24/7 multi-use synthetic sports field turf system is perfect for the all purpose, all weather action it’s going to get.  The UD intramural athletes will experience a field that is safe and durable.  Made with the highest quality slit film yarn available, 24/7 delivers a winning combination of affordability and superior wear-ability. 

Emerging Recreation Market
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that recreation facilities are noticing the value of installing synthetic turf.  Blue Ash Recreation Center, Anderson Township Park District’s Riverside Park, Wyoming Recreation Center, Elizabethtown Sports Park are just a few of the many recreation / multi use fields that The Motz Group has recently installed.  “Our new All Weather Field facility at Riverside Park has enabled the ATPD to continue our mission of providing quality fields for our residents” says Ken Kushner, executive director of Anderson Township Park District.  Among other assets, synthetic turf allows recreation facilities to maximize rental dollars since weather related field conditions are no longer a factor.

The Motz Group
The Motz Group designs and installs world-class, high performance synthetic and natural sports field systems.  They provide quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust. 

The Motz Group has partnered with UD on other projects and they’ve also worked on the field at Welcome Stadium, home of the Dayton Flyers football program.

For more information on synthetic turf, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The new park, expected to open July 2012, will accommodate events and tournaments for many sports including football, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and field hockey. 

As detailed in the New York Times article, “the 150-acre Elizabethtown Sports Park, set to open next summer, will have 12 baseball and softball diamonds, 10 natural turf soccer and football fields, 2 full-size synthetic turf fields and a diamond for physically disabled athletes. The sports park also includes powerful lighting, six concession buildings, pavilions to house meeting spaces and locker rooms, four playgrounds, Wi-Fi access so events can be viewed live on the Internet and a three-mile-long running and walking path that circles the complex.”

“It will be one of the largest such complexes in the country, with the ability to host four- and five-day tournaments that will attract hundreds of teams and thousands of spectators from across the Southeast.”

At 126,000 square feet each, The Motz Group will be building the two largest fields in the complex.  While these particular fields will be used for those needing open space and synthetic turf, their primary purpose is to serve as the championship fields for football and soccer tournaments.

SportGrass®, the system that The Motz Group will be installing, is made with premium monofilament fibers that provide the look and feel of natural grass.  The athletes playing on the SportGrass fields will experience safe conditions on a sure footed high performance turf system with superior playing characteristics.

For more information on The Motz Group’s Triple Play system or any of their other proven systems, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

It’s going to be an exciting new year for community members and students of Talawanda High School!  A brand new high school will be ready for use in January 2012 and a brand new synthetic turf field is ready for action. 

The Motz Group, of Cincinnati, has just completed the installation of Talawanda’s brand new 24/7® synthetic turf field. 

“The new TMG field at Talawanda will bring instant credibility to our sports programs and help to generate pride in our student-athletes and school district.” Said Chris Weaver, Talawanda’s Athletic Director. “Our community as a whole will benefit from the turf complex by offering additional outdoor space for a multitude of activities.  With the possibility of hosting many functions from groups outside of this area, this complex would provide new revenue and bring awareness to our community and what our school district has to offer.” 

As this video outlines, the old natural grass field at THS was vastly overused.  Due to poor field conditions they were struggling to meet the needs of athletic, school and community organizations.  The field was in poor condition - and getting worse - with the amount of use Bower’s field was getting. 

The Motz Group was the answer THS needed.  TMG’s experienced, professional, and customer pleasing crew went to work for THS installing the unparalleled 24/7® synthetic turf system.  This new field answered THS’s urgent need for an all weather, multi-use synthetic turf field.  The new field is safe, durable and ready for action.  No more mud baths during inclement weather, no more indoor practices because the field is saturated.  It’s time to play ball on a consistent, long lasting, green, all purpose field!

Working with The Motz Group
When asked about deciding to work with The Motz Group, Weaver had no doubts.  “In my opinion the decision was easy, TMG is the best in the business when it comes to synthetic turf fields, and I knew based on past experiences that we wanted to work with TMG.  Their resume speaks for itself…... Everyone I have met and worked with from TMG on our project has been extremely professional and willing to go the extra mile to assist us in whatever our needs are.  Zach Burns has been my lead contact and I have enjoyed learning about the turf business through his vast knowledge and background of the industry. 

Other benefits that THS will experience: much lower maintenance costs, increased revenue as the field can be rented for events, less injury because the field is a consistent playing surface, less make up games due to inclement weather…the list goes on an on. 

Click here to see project images

On the future
Weaver added “Last year alone we hosted over 50 different sporting events on our natural grass field, so my excitement for our new synthetic turf 24/7 system is beyond words.  Our student athletes and community deserve to have our outside classrooms match the excellence of our inside classrooms and I’m extremely proud to say that we will finally be able to provide this for them!” 

Contact Zach Burns, Vice President and Sales & Marketing Director,  at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information regarding 24/7® or any other of The Motz Group’s other proven turf systems and services.

The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world class synthetic and natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  TMG specializes in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as well as parks & recreation.  Click here to see a sampling of fields The Motz Group have designed and installed.

Joe Motz, President and CEO of The Motz Group, is proud of his team’s recognition.  “Our team is the best! They are fiercely passionate about the delivery of “Best in Class” products and services as well as promulgating the ownership thinking culture which recognizes the contribution of each member and provides the natural high we all keep coming back for.”

According to the Business Courier Site, “Best Places to Work is based on the results of anonymous employee surveys, measuring work-force engagement and finding out how employees feel about management effectiveness, trust and other workplace issues. More than 100 firms were nominated to participate in the competition, which is now in its ninth year.  The companies employ more than 10,000 workers who participated in online surveys.”

The Motz Group is honored to receive this distinction and looks forward to attending the November 3rd event at Duke Energy Convention Center to learn who will win in each of five categories!
For the complete list of the fifty finalists, click here.

For more information about The Motz Group contact us at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Notre Dame Academy
Park Hills, KY

The story of Notre Dame Academy’s (“NDA”) “Field of Dreams” is unique. NDA is an all girls’ high school that is 100 years old. Until the new field opened last year, at no time in NDA’s history did it have an athletic field. The lack of a field caused significant issues for every administrator, coach, parent and student involved in outdoor sports. Literally, for decades, the coaches had to find facilities for every practice. Over the years NDA teams practiced on many abandoned fields and empty playgrounds. To make some of these fields usable and safe, dedicated parents and coaches removed rocks and debris, cut grass and brought in truck loads of dirt to fill holes and smooth bumps. When NDA’s teams were “lucky”, they received permission to squeeze-in practice time at other schools after the home school had finished using its facilities. Of course, this also meant that coaches, parents and athletes students had to travel for all practices. In fact, at one point, the only available practice facilities were at a school in neighboring state. Obviously, this also meant that in the entire 100 year history of NDA, it did not have a true home game. The only home games were at rented or borrowed facilities. The other major issue was limitation on participation. Nationally the number of women participating in athletics has exploded. Correspondingly, there was high interest in expanding the number of sports and athletes at NDA. However, it was impossible to even consider adding sports and opportunities without a place to practice and play. This was a shame. Dozens of studies document the numerous psychological, physiological and sociological benefits of sports participation for girls.

Simply put, involvement in athletics significantly enhances the chances that young women stay out of trouble, do well in school, remain healthy and become leaders. A few years ago the Sisters of Notre Dame graciously donated property to NDA to build an athletic field. The opportunity to finally have a home field was wonderful. However, in order to provide for all of the practices and games for existing teams, and to develop new teams and opportunities for young women, there was only one answer for NDA – the new field had to have synthetic turf to accommodate all of NDA’s needs.

The impact of the NDA’s synthetic turf field was immediate. Within days after the field was complete, NDA’s soccer team was using the field for practice. After decades of begging for practice time at other schools, cleaning up trash and rocks off a field before practice and handing out directions to parents so that they could find the practice field, NDA could finally simply say, “practice today after school”. More significantly, the synthetic turf field immediately opened the door to participation for dozens of young women and expanded playing time in the community. As soon as the field was complete, NDA organized a new lacrosse team for its students. This has been a huge success in terms of the number of girls participating. Also NDA has invited youth teams in the area to use its synthetic turf field when other facilities are not available. This has been a welcome addition to the community and tremendous benefit to the young athletes in the area. In addition, the field is a very attractive addition to NDA’s campus. Before the field was installed there was an overgrown gully in front of the school. Now one of the first things someone sees as they come to NDA is a beautiful, sparking green field. Moreover, the campus is alive after school every day as dozens of players, parents and coaches come and go for practice. Also “game days” are truly special events for hundreds of alums, fans and families. After 100 years of not having a home field, it is probably impossible to overstate the good will, pride and school spirit generated by NDA’s new synthetic turf field.

The Motz Group installed NDA’s 24/7® synthetic turf field in 2009.  For more information on The Motz Group or any of our proven turf systems, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Moments after Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Tuesday aimed at preventing movable soccer goals from tipping over and causing death or injury, an emotional Michelle Tran, the mother of a Vernon Hills boy killed eight years ago by a falling goal, pulled him aside to offer a final thanks.
Quinn put an arm around her shoulder, praising the Tran family for its dedication in turning a tragedy into “an educational mission.”

“I think that the tragedy that occurred was a wake-up call that we have to protect our children and make sure there’s safety in recreational activities,” Quinn said.

He said the Trans provided an example of what happens when “thoughtful, committed people band together, not for profit, but for a cause they believe in.”

In October 2003, 6-year-old Zach Tran died of head injuries suffered when a 186-pound soccer goal toppled and struck him from behind while he was practicing with his greater Libertyville Soccer Association team.

A lawsuit against the association claimed the goal was not anchored ground by stakes and had no counterbalance.

The Tran family formed Anchored for Safety, a nonprofit that promoties soccer-goal safety and pushing for legislation requiring goals to be properly secured and monitored. The group’s Web site, anchoredforsafety.org, lists 36 deaths and 56 injuries related to movable soccer goals in the U.S. between 1979 and 2011.

Zach Tran’s death was one of four incidents in Illinois, including a 1998 accident that left a 9-year-old Deerfield boy with serious facial injuries.

At the bill-signing ceremony in Waukegan, Michelle Tran said that since the “tragic and very preventable accident” that took her son, nine more deaths have been attributed to toppling soccer goals, including one just last week. “We must anchor them and check them and make sure they stay anchored,” she said.

The Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, known as Zach’s Law, requires “any organization that sets up, moves, or stores a movable soccer goal to follow all applicable guidelines for anchoring, securing, and counterweighting the goal,” as detailed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In addition, starting in August 2012, the measure will ban the manufacture or sale of movable soccer goals that are not tip-resistant.

Copyright 2011 Sun-Times Media, LLC
All Rights Reserved

Chicago Sun-Times
August 3, 2011 Wednesday

DAN MORAN. Sun-Times Media. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Trotwood Madison defeated Thurgood Marshall 35-21.

For more information regarding synthetic turf contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Tygers will play host to The Galion Tigers in the season-opener at 7 p.m. on Friday August 26.

Zach Burns, VP and Sales and Marketing Director for The Motz Group, will attend the field dedication on Friday prior to kick off.  “We are excited for the Tygers to get to play on their new synthetic turf system. We wish them a lot of luck in the upcoming season.”

According to Highschoolsports.net the Tygers are picked to beat the Tigers.  75% of fans picked Mansfield Tygers while 25% have picked the Galion Tigers. The prediction, Tigers 13 - Tygers 28.

There is one prediction that will ring true. The new turf at Arlin field will perform beautifully.  24/7  is manufactured with premium slit film yard and provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated poundings. 

As Larry Gibbs, a spokesperson for Mansfield City Schools, quoted in a recent mansfieldnewsjournal.com article “The company’s web site - http://www.themotzgroup.com - includes photos of synthetic turf installations at more than 30 other Ohio high schools, Thomas More College, Hanover College and on a regulation-size indoor football field at the Miami Dolphins’ training facility.

To see some logo installation images click HERE

For more information on 24/7 turf or other proven synthetic turf systems, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Good luck Tygers!

HMS chooses The Motz Group
Ray Ebersole, Hudson’s Athletic Director, knows choosing The Motz Group to install their turf was the right decision…“We selected the Motz Group following an extensive and comprehensive investigation and research process involving several prominent turf companies.  Unquestionably, we found Motz to be superior in terms of product quality, installation experience, and service. We were very impressed with the professionalism and expertise of Zach Burns (Vice President, Sales and Marketing Director). Mr. Burns was tremendously helpful throughout the process. He was very proactive in providing answers to our questions and finding solutions specific to our facility needs and expectations”

HMS chooses SportGrass
SportGrass® system is manufactured with premium PE monofilament fibers that provide the look and feel of perfectly manicured grass.  SG fields deliver robust performance and superior playing characteristics.  Components of the SG system are chosen to meet sport-specific demands. 

“...we are delighted that our field will be on time and on budget! As we get closer to our opening date in August the excitement is palpable. We truly feel this project will have a major positive impact on our school and community. As the most utilized facility in the district, we are convinced that it will become a major source of pride for Hudson.”  said Ebersole.

Scott T. Malson
Scott Malson, played football for Hudson City Schools.  Five years ago, at the age of 40,  he passed away after battling cancer.  In honor of their son, Richard and Barb Malson made a very generous donation that has made Scott Malson Field at Hudson Middle School a reality.  Ebersole added “we will be forever grateful to the Malson Family for bringing about this much needed improvement while honoring the memory of their son, Scott. Their contribution has taken us from a dream to a wonderful reality!”

Click here to see time lapse images of Hudson Middle School’s turf being installed.

For more information on The Motz Group and SportGrass Turf contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The club teams of WSU, who compete against club teams from other universities,  average over 500 participants annually.  Several, including soccer, football and Ultimate Frisbee, will benefit from the newly turfed recreation field.

Josh Uhlenbrock, president of Lacrosse and Coed Soccer Clubs, is excited that the new 24/7 turf field will be on campus. “My team and I are looking forward to using the new field.  It’s such a good feeling to know that our season will no longer be driven by the weather.”

The new Motz Group 24/7 field, located on the northeast section of campus, will have permanent field lines for football and soccer. 

“It’s important for these students to have a safe, clean, high performing space to compete” says Zach Burns, Vice President / Sales and Marketing Director at The Motz Group.  “24/7 is designed to deliver excellent long-term performance under high-use conditions. The athletes will be thrilled with their new playing surface”.

24/7 provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated poundings while maintaining pleasing aesthetics.  For more information on a 24/7 turf field contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Imagine you are a student at St. Ursula Academy.  Also imagine you play on their nationally ranked soccer team.  For practices you have to leave campus to travel to the field.  You can’t simply walk outside of the athletic complex to the field on campus because your school has a sixteen year old grass field that simply can’t hold up to the “extra” field time - it has to be kept in its best possible condition for games. This was all true before The Motz Group broke ground to install a brand new 24/7® synthetic turf system. 

“The conversion from natural grass to artificial is very important for our entire student body, not just for our athletics and physical education programs.” Says Mike Sipes, SUA Athletic Director.  “As a grass field we had to protect the turf for home contests so we had to be very careful about any other uses for any other school activities.  The new 24/7 synthetic turf will offer us so many new options that were previously unavailable.”

Championship History
One of the major contributing factors for the SUA Bulldogs to warrant a new field is their outstanding soccer, field hockey and lacrosse programs.

The soccer team has won two of the last four state soccer championships and has been ranked #1 in the nation for the past two years.  SUA’s soccer program produced Heather Mitts, professional defender in the Women’s Professional Soccer League, 2-time gold medalist, ESPN analyst and current world cup team member.  Heather is a 1996 SUA graduate.

The Field Hockey team, consistent top contenders in the city and region, currently hold the state title. 

And the Lacrosse program is gaining speed and momentum as the sport grows in popularity and will hopefully soon be sanctioned by OHSAA.  SUA is excited for the opportunities synthetic turf offers grass roots Lacrosse programs that will help develop the popularity of the sport.

Out with the Old
Buenger Field at Schottzie Stadium will very soon be ready for practice, play and other school activities.  The new 24/7 system is the field of choice for the Bulldogs.  All-purpose, all-weather, safe, durable, great looking and affordable playing surface.

Excitement for the new turf
Players, coaches and trainers give synthetic turf high marks for playability, comfort, safety, bounce, speed and performance.  The consistent surface is especially attractive to field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball players because it provides a uniform roll and bounce to the ball.

CLICK HERE to see a few images from the construction site

The following is a collection of comments heard around the SUA campus.  Additional quotes can be found on their Team Up for Turf website.

“With our grass field we must practice off site, send our PE classes off site, and abandon any ideas of hosting tournaments.  24/7 turf on our campus would put us at the forefront of the city in facilities.” -Sarah Catlin, Director of Admissions and Student Life, Head Field Hockey Coach and Lacrosse Assist. Coach

“...the 24/7 surface provides truer bounces and consistent rolling of the ball. From a coaching standpoint training and playing matches on a turf surface would allow our program to have a real ‘home field’ advantage.  -Dave Ruehl, Head Soccer Coach

“...uniform and consistent playing field will help to minimize injuries, especially at the end of the season on natural grass that has uneven terrain.  Cincinnati’s inconsistent weather patterns during the various seasons make it hard to keep consistent playing surfaces on natural grass but 24/7 turf eliminates that challenge.” -Al Ducker, Head Athletic Trainer with Cincinnati Sports Medicine

The Motz Group prides itself on providing quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.  For more information about The Motz Group and 24/7® turf please contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

In fact, they have a dedicated website to keep everyone updated on the progress.  Click HERE to see it.

The Motz Group is busy constructing the base and surface of a brand new 95,000 sq ft field that will be used for many sports and activities including football, soccer and lacrosse.  Thomas Worthington High School athletes and community members alike are looking forward to using the field come fall.

The new field will be completed by mid August - just in time for the Cards to practice for the upcoming football season.

SportGrass® (SG®) is manufactured with premium monofilament fibers that provide the look and feel of perfectly manicured natural grass.  In addition to its good looks, the turf has exceptional playability. The resilient and split resistant fibers create a superior, long lasting surface that provides consistent footing and predictable ball / turf interaction.

Click HERE to see pictures, including an image of what the center logo will look like.

If you have any questions on the SportGrass system or any of The Motz Group’s proven systems contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Violent Storm
The Athens High School girls soccer team was half way through a tied game versus Alexander High School of Albany Ohio when the game was put on a weather delay due to lightning.  High winds and tornado sirens signaled a more serious threat - the team and the fans sought shelter in the football locker room. 

Destruction
Just as the tornado sirens began screaming the electricity went out. Two HVAC units were torn from the rooftop of the High School. Visitor side bleachers were ripped from the ground and thrown into the track. The press box on the field was destroyed.  The roof of the concession stand ripped off. Trees were down, fences demolished, scoreboard broken in half - debris everywhere.  Basil Rutter Field was covered in broken glass, splintered wood and other unidentifiable materials. In a word, destroyed.  Amazingly, no one was seriously injured.

Click HERE to read an incredible front line account from sports editor Kevin Wiseman who was at AHS to cover the soccer game.
Click HERE to see compiled images
Click HERE to see the National Weather Service Storm Survey

Rebuilding
Almost immediately students, staff and community members began piecing the destruction back together. Volunteers literally began picking up the pieces one by one. Support groups were formed and planning committees began plotting their comeback.  Fund raising was in full effect - one AHS alumnus donated $300,000 to his alma matter to rebuild the football field and surrounding areas.  The stadium has been named Scott Riggs and Family Stadium in his honor.  A total renovation for Athens High School including new lights, scoreboard, field, track, bleachers, concession stand, restrooms, press box, field house, walls and sidewalks. 

After hearing solid references and strong reviews of The Motz Group (Cincinnati Ohio) an athletic field construction company that designs and installs high performance synthetic turf fields for many high schools, Principal Mike Meek and Athletic Director Chuck Robinson secured them for the project.  The Motz Group arrived ready to work at the start of April but due to the incessant rain the project was delayed.  As soon as the weather broke the team got to work. “Each layer laid on the field helped the community feel like things were coming back together - stronger and better than ever” said Chad Lavender, Project Superintendent for The Motz Group.  “We’re here for AHS and the people of The Plains. We’ll be here for years to come.”
Click HERE (fast forward to 23:45) to see a report on the renovation.
Click HERE to see a 5 video compilation on You Tube.

The system of choice for the newly renovated Rutter Field was The Motz Group’s 24/7® turf system. 24/7 provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated pounding while staying strong, clean and aesthetically pleasing.

“There’s not a better multi-use synthetic sports field turf system than 24/7 and there’s not a better team to work with than The Motz Group” adds Lavender.

Game On
The new field is almost complete and will be ready for play when The Athens High School Bulldogs take the field on August 13th in a scrimmage against Morgan High School.  It will be exciting for sure! 

The Motz Group prides itself on providing quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.  For more information about The Motz Group and 24/7® turf please contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

June 6, 2011 By Sarah Menefee, CSJ writer
Original article can be found HERE

The school just finished a brand new, first of its kind in the world, baseball field for its student athletes.

“The Motz Group developed our baseball field using the Triple Play HP Synthetic Turf Baseball System this year,” said The Summit Country Day School’s Communications Director Nancy Berlier. “Construction took place over the winter, and the field was ready to play on by April.”

The Triple Play HP Synthetic Turf Baseball System offers a completely new environment for players. The turf, specifically made for baseball, offers a “premium, dual-fiber turf, Envirofill acrylic coated sand infill and a shock-absorbing underpad.”

The Summit Country Day School Head Baseball Coach, Triffon Callos, saw the need for an updated infield, and he went to work to help bring about renovation.

“I brought it up to a few stakeholders that we should look into the return of investment going to turf because it’s going to save us in many ways, and we got going with the project with Zach Burns of The Motz Group. We made it work,” said Callos.

This turf, providing material different than traditional rubber, gives many benefits to players.

“Triffon Callos loves it,” said Burns. “He loves the play characteristics, and the consistent ball bounce and smooth ball roll. The update also allows the school to use the field for potential revenue source for rental. It just gives the school so much more utility and space, and opens up a whole new classroom.”

Callos agrees that the new field offers players an optimal playing environment. In addition to the play characteristics, the turf allows for less rainouts and less maintenance.

“Even with the rain this spring, we were able to play more games and practice with this field,” said Callos. “With this weather we had (rain), many teams didn’t get out until their first scrimmage. We had three-four weeks of practice time on our infield that no one else in the city did.”

The new field has brought great publicity to The Summit Country Day School and The Motz Group.
“Both our kids and opposition love playing on it. It’s brought positive attention to our school and our program. We have big name schools in Cincinnati (DI) who contacted us. They know we have a field, and people want to play on a facility like that. It really markets the program,” said Callos.

And The Motz Group has experienced positive feedback as well.

“We have quite a lot of other schools interested in this type of field,” said Burns. “We are in discussion with them now. The system allows for consistent, durable, high performance play.”

The cost for the infield system ranges from $200,000 to $250,000. Prices for an entire field change from project to project. In terms of funding for projects like these at The Summit Country Day School, Berlier says donors associated with the school help make the renovations possible.

“Donors help for a lot of the projects. We have a remarkably generous group of parents devoted to the school and come through with what we need,” said Berlier.

In addition to this “first of its kind” baseball field, The Summit Country Day School showcases three gymnasiums, a comprehensive weight room and spacious outdoor athletic venues.

“It’s special that we have three outdoor fields right by school. A lot of Catholic High Schools are landlocked because they don’t have the kind of space we have,” said Berlier. “We are also replacing five tennis courts this summer to improve drainage and slopes for better runoffs.”

With so much activity surrounding The Summit Country Day School, the baseball field is an example of state-of the-art facilities and a state-of-the-art philosophy throughout the school.

Said Callos: “The Summit is such a special place. It’s a leader in technology in many ways on the academic side of things. It’s such a complete school, and I think this shows that on the athletic side as well. We have the best of both worlds. One day these kids will look back and see how lucky they were to play on an infield like the one we have.”

For more information contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452

As described in the WLWT News 5 piece that posted on April 27th many area high school fields had a lot of trouble getting in their spring baseball schedule.  With so much rain there’s been record number of rainouts – many teams having trouble getting in their regularly scheduled games.

Not so for Summit Country Day School or New Richmond High School who both installed Triple Play™Synthetic Turf prior to this rainy season.

Summit was able to play 17 home games in the month of April!  Without Triple Play turf, Varsity Coach Triffon Callos thinks they might have been able to play only two, possibly three.

If you are interested in visiting a Triple Play field or learning more about turf for your baseball or softball fields contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Lakota East baseball team is on the brink of accomplishing what no other Thunderhawk team has ever done.  After Thursday’s 7-2 victory over Grove City in the state semi-finals, the Hawks have an opportunity to win the school’s first state team title since Lakota split into East and West in 1997.

Similarly, Perrysburg’s Yellow Jackets defeated Willoughby South 4-3 and have advanced to the championship game for their first time.  The Yellow Jackets lost in the state semifinals in 2003, their only other appearance at state.

2011 OHSAA Boys Baseball Division I State Tournament:
Lakota East vs. Perrysburg
Huntington Park, Columbus
Saturday June 4th at 10am.

Good Luck Gentlemen!

For more information on Triple Play™ or 24/7® Turf Fields contact:
Zach Burns, Director of Sales and Marketing
513-533-6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Contributed By: Jill Cahill | St. Ursula Academy

Cincinnati, Ohio, April 29, 2011 –  Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits as student athletes, donors, school administrators, parents, and supporters came together to launch the turf construction project.

Several key donors and project leaders each took a shovel in the ceremonial groundbreaking that was moved indoors due to the poor weather conditions.

Among those participating were donors Bill Keating, Sr., Mike Keating, Amy and George Joseph, Lisa Grote and John Zerbe, Board of Trustees Chair May Kay Hauser, SUA President Judith A. Wimberg, Trustee and Project Manager Tom Neyer and Joe Motz and Zach Burns of The Motz Group, who will be constructing the field.

The turf field surface will replace the current grass field that is home to SUA’s nationally ranked soccer team, state championship Field Hockey Team the Lacrosse team and St. Ursula athletic events.

The new 24/7® turf will provide a state-of-the-art surface for many purposes. It will be all-purpose, all-weather, safe, durable and affordable.

The new field’s rapid drainage and durable soft carpet provide a safe, consistent surface, ready most any time, most any use for practices, games, physical education classes, other school and community events.

“We have long dreamed of being able to provide a better field for our students and athletes and here we are today celebrating the accomplishment of that dream,” said SUA President Judy Wimberg.

SUA’s senior class co-president and state championship field hockey team member Meghan Winter talked at the event and thanked the donors and supporters for making this all possible.  “Not just the athletes, but all the students will be forever grateful for your support of this field improvement that will allow for so many more school related activities to happen by just walking out the doors of Keller Center and or the Gymnasium/Convocation Center,” said Miss Winter.

Funds to pay for the field conversion to turf were raised through a targeted campaign called “Team up for Turf”. The new field will be complete this summer and will be called Buenger Field at Schottzie Stadium.

To learn more about St. Ursula Academy and its athletic programming, please visit http://www.saintursula.org.

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.

St. Ursula is a nurturing Catholic educational community that unleashes the potential of each student to become a women of faith, integrity and courage. In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.

The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.

The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world class synthetic & natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  The Motz Group specializes in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as well as parks and recreation.

The Motz Group will be installing the 24/7® synthetic turf system at St. Ursula Academy.  24/7 provides long term performance under high use conditions in all weather conditions.  To learn more contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Matt graduates winter 2011 and is currently maintaining a GPA of 3.3, with excellent practical experience in the sports turf industry. He has completed internships in Major League Soccer at Columbus Crew Stadium and in Major League Baseball at the San Diego Padres. He will spend summer 2011 working for the Columbus Clippers.

The Motz award is given to an OSU student or students that have shown great enthusiasm for their studies and the sports turf industry. It is given in honor of OSU Alum, Joe Motz. Joe graduated in 1977 and went on to create one of the largest sports turf construction companies in the world. He currently has field projects in the USA, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Joe sponsors this award with a monetary gift for the students and a donation to the OSU Turf Club.

Previous winners have included: 2005 Erica Titus & Rodney Bockrath, 2006 Weston Appelfeller, 2007 Russ Horn, 2008 Chris Fox, 2009 Joe Kirschner and Jeff Boll, and 2010 Robbie Dworkin.

The Motz Group is proud to sponsor the 2011 Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl II. The North Team and the South Team will take the field Saturday April 23rd at 5pm in the Columbus Crew Stadium.

The Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl was created to showcase some of the best college football players within the State of Ohio. The Senior Bowl features 90 of the top college football players from the NCAA I-A, II, III and NAIA.

Thousands of passionate fans are expected to fill Crew Stadium for this year’s first Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl. Last year, the North Team defeated the South by a touchdown, in what was an exciting defensive battle.

GameDay Management announced that Franklin County Children Services will serve as the event charity. Foster children, under the care of FCCS and other local agencies, will have the opportunity to attend the Senior Bowl free of charge. Senior Bowl participants and coaches will provide a free football clinic, under the direction of FCCS, prior to the game.

Tickets are now on sale at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 1-800-745-3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at http://www.TicketMaster.com. All tickets are general admission and are $10.00 presale and $12.00 the day of the game. Children under 2-years of age are free.

Final results CLICK HERE

This contest aims to discover why your synthetic turf field, and the story behind the synthetic turf field, is the best in America.

The STC recognizes the power that synthetic turf has to transform the lives of America’s youth and enhance public wellness. The Search for the Real Field of Dreams is a national contest open to schools (K-12 and college), parks, businesses and public spaces in the United States and Canada that have the most compelling stories about the impact of their synthetic turf field or installation. 

Since the contest started in 2009, The Motz Group’s 24/7® synthetic turf system has seen many national finalists.  All of these schools received national recognition on the STC website, as well as The Motz Group’s site, for their compelling stories about their synthetic turf field. Read their stories…

2010 National Finalist
Tri-Valley High School

2009 National Finalists
Oak Hills High School
Walton-Verona High School
Wyoming High School
Zanesville High School

The Motz Group takes great pride in the accomplishments and unique stories of our partner schools.  We hope that you will consider telling the story behind your synthetic turf field.

Ready to submit your entry?  Please complete the online form or download an entry form to participate.  The deadline is June 15, 2011 and the winners will be announced September 15, 2011. 

Founded in 2003, the Synthetic Turf Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a resource for trustworthy information about each synthetic turf field. The Motz Group is proud to be an active member in the STC where we are recognized as a synthetic turf field Certified System Builder. Our involvement is not just limited to membership.  Our President, Joe Motz, has served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Best of luck! We hope your TMG synthetic turf field wins!

Please feel free to contact Erin Richards or Zach Burns at 513-533-6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions.

Just as the Cincinnati Reds won opening day on a Motz Group turf field, so did Summit Country Day.  The Men’s varsity team beat New Miami 15-5 on the first game of their season, on their brand new Triple Play™HP synthetic turf system.

The afternoon started with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony led by Head of School, Rich Wilson.  The ceremony concluded with Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini throwing the inaugural first pitch!

Just one day earlier Cincinnati experienced quite a bit of rain.  Enough rain that would have rained out the game if it weren’t for their new synthetic turf field.

Triffon Callos, Summit’s head baseball coach, remembers all too well what rain outs can do to a season.  Just last year, Summit was scheduled to play a playoff game on their home field.  Unfortunately field conditions were too wet and muddy and they lost the home field advantage - and they lost the playoff game. 

That certainly will not be the case this year.  Over the winter months The Motz Group installed a new Triple Play HP turf system for the Silver Knights.  Gone are the muddy infields, gone are the worries of weather conditions - here to stay is clean, high performance turf. 

Triple Play™ Synthetic Turf Baseball System
The Triple Play brand is the newest addition to The Motz Group’s lineup of quality synthetic turf systems.  Conceived specifically for baseball, Triple Play’s durable, all-weather surface means less rainouts, more games throughout the year and greatly reduced maintenance costs.  The system is available in two styles tailored to meet your budget and performance requirements.

Triple Play is a value engineered product and has widespread appeal across all levels of baseball.  It’s manufactured using the highest quality, wear resistant pile fiber available and infilled with crumb rubber and sand.  It’s designed for extended play and minimal maintenance. 

Triple Play HP, the same system installed at Summit, is a high performance model and includes a premium, dual-fiber turf, Envirofill® acrylic coated sand infill and a shock-absorbing underpad.  The system delivers MVP performance in the areas that are key to field playability: natural, consistent ball bounce, smooth and straight ball roll and a fast, firm and sure-footed surface.  Triple Play HP delivers the superior field characteristics expected by those competing at the highest levels of the game.

For photos from the event, please click HERE

Video: Bob Castellini throwing the first pitch, please click HERE
Video: Summit Silver Knights in action, please click HERE
Video: Ribbon cutting by Head of School, Rich Wilson, please click HERE

For more information on synthetic turf for your sporting field, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Groundbreaking on Stuart Field is scheduled to begin in early April, according to Mark Hoying, University of Dayton assistant director for intramurals and sport clubs.

The Board of Trustees passed plans for the project earlier in March, said Teri Rizvi, associate vice president for communications.

The field, located between Virginia W. Kettering Hall and the RecPlex, will be equipped with Twenty Four Seven® brand synthetic turf. The Motz Group, a Cincinnati-based firm, will oversee the turf installation.

“Friday nights, next fall, we’re playing lacrosse, we’re playing soccer, we’re playing rugby out on that field,” Hoying said.

The new field will feature permanent lines for four recreation league soccer and flag football fields, along with two softball fields, Hoying said. Temporary lines will be placed for ultimate Frisbee, club soccer, recreation, and club field hockey and rugby.

“If you wanted to come out and play intramural football or a rec pick-up game with [the] people on your floor, the lines are down,” Hoying said. “It eliminates the ‘Hey, pile up your sweatshirt over there and pile your shoes over there, and we’ll have a field.’”

Hoying said expected lifespan of the field is about 10 years, depending on frequency of use and environmental factors such as damage from the sun. The field will be surrounded by an asphalt walkway and fence, and a portion of the land will remain undeveloped for a “phase two” project, which could possibly include bathrooms.

In Nov. 2010, Flyer News reported that Campus Recreation records show approximately 2,600 students each year play nearly 1,500 intramural games each semester in Campus Recreation’s outdoor programming.

Zach Burns, sales and marketing director for The Motz Group, said the company is thrilled to be working with the university on the project. He said the project will probably be the single largest installation for the company this year in terms of square footage.

Burns said the Motz Group has partnered with the university on other projects, including Baujan Field. The company also worked on the field at Welcome Stadium, home of the Dayton Flyers football program, according to Burns.

Hoying said he expects to see an increase in the number of students playing intramural sports on the new field, much like when numbers of students utilizing indoor campus recreation activities increased with the opening of the RecPlex.

According to Hoying, Campus Recreation plans to be able to schedule about 28 games a day on the field, but said the number could run higher for club sports tournaments.

The field is expected to be finished by the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic year, he said.

“We’ve told them it’s got to be done when [students] come back,” Hoying said. “I think everyone’s hope is you don’t see a bulldozer, a carpet machine, we’re not putting lines in; it’s there, it’s shiny, it’s done, it’s ‘Welcome to UD.’”

Original article from University of Dayton’s Student Newspaper – www.flyernews.com Article written by staff writer, Will Garbe.

Emerging Recreation Market
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that recreation facilities are noticing the value of installing synthetic turf.  Blue Ash Recreation Center, Anderson Township Park District’s Riverside Park, Wyoming Recreation Center are just a few of the many recreation / multi use fields that The Motz Group has recently installed.  “Our new All Weather Field facility at Riverside Park has enabled the ATPD to continue our mission of providing quality fields for our residents” says Ken Kushner, executive director of Anderson Township Park District.  Among other assets, synthetic turf allows recreation facilities to maximize rental dollars since weather related field conditions are no longer a factor.

24/7®
Twenty-Four/Seven® is the most popular and durable, all-weather, all-purpose turf system that The Motz Group installs. Made with the highest quality slit film yarn available, 24/7 delivers a winning combination of affordability and superior wear-ability.  You won’t find a better multi-use synthetic sports field turf system than 24/7, or a better team to deliver it than The Motz Group.

The Motz Group
The Motz Group designs and installs world-class, high performance synthetic and natural sports field systems.  They provide quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.

For more information on synthetic turf, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Motz Group of Newtown installed the Triple Play™ HP synthetic turf baseball system this year, making the field a first-of-its kind model for baseball fields. The entire infield is covered with this improved high-performance artificial grass and advanced underlayment system. Among the benefits are a truer bounce of the ball and speeds close to the experience of a high performance natural turf field, cooler surface temperatures, and elimination of rain-outs due to poor field conditions.

The baseball field dedication will begin at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. Head of School Rich Wilson, School Chaplain Rev. Phil Seher, Director of Athletics Greg Dennis and Upper School Director Dr. Pat White will join Varsity Baseball Head Coach Triffon Callos for remarks, a ribbon cutting and the first-pitch. Afterward, The Summit will host New Miami for the first home game of the season.

The baseball field is located at The Summit’s Athletic Complex, 5580 Ehrling Rd., accessible from the Interstate 71 Red Bank Road exit.

Article written by Nick Dudukovich of The Community Press

For more information on synthetic turf contact Zach Burns at The Motz Group / 513.533.6452 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The turf system at Great American Ball Park was developed and installed by Cincinnati’s Motz Group.  It’s made up of HPG® (High Performance Gravity) Natural Turf and surfaced with TS-II® (Synthetic Stabalized Turf). 

HPG
HPG® is the acronym for our High Performance Gravity custom-designed natural turf field systems. Each field is specifically engineered to fit your performance standards, projected usage patterns, local environmental conditions and budget.

HPG® Advantages
Meets your project-specific objectives and requirements
Custom designed and engineered to fit your budget and site conditions
Maximizes owner/contractor interaction to deliver on-target project results

TS-II
TS-II® is a patented combination of natural grass growing in a unique stabilizing mat. The combination produces a system that delivers the manageability, playability and flexibility demanded by today’s world-class venues.

TSII® Advantages
100% Natural grass playing surface meets all governing body regulations
Dramatically increased wear tolerance compared to conventional grass
Horizontal stability, even on pure sand rootzones
Decreased devoting, shearing and displacement damage
Meets the aesthetic and athletic demands of today’s sport field market
Provides the flexibility to rapidly replace logos and change out worn areas
Immediate playability upon installation or rotation

Go Reds!! 

For more information on HPG or TS-II or other natural or synthetic turf systems contact Zach Burns, Sales and Marketing Director of The Motz Group at 513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The (infill that’s laid in on top of the synthetic turf) is made from (an) acrylic (coated sand) which is different from the conventional rubber (infill), said varsity baseball coach Triffon Callos.

According to The Motz Group, who installed the field, the acrylic (infill) provides a more realistic playing surface. It is also one of the only baseball fields in the world to use a non-elastic infill called Envirofill. “With (Envirofill), it’s a true game like speed,” said Callos. “A ground ball will take a true natural hop.”

Athletic director Greg Dennis said the new field will also alleviate the problem of rained out games, which had been an issue last season.

“We had drainage issues with the other field,” he said. “If it rains we can still have a home game.”  Dennis also said the new field is environmentally-friendly.

He said the parents were instrumental in looking into alternatives for a new field. Parents asked what could be done after the playoffs had to be played away because of the field conditions, said Dennis.

They approached us with some suggestions on turf, he said.

Work began on the project in December. The field was completed in January.

The players have been practicing on the field and will play their first game on it Tuesday, April 5.

A special dedication of the field, which is located at the Summit Country Day School Athletic Complex, 5527 Ehrling Road, will be at 4:15 p.m. The game will follow at 4:30 p.m.

Original article can be found HERE.

Contact Zach Burns at The Motz Group to learn more about designing and installing a synthetic turf field that includes Triple Play™HP using Envirofill.  513-533-6452 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

7 Mar, 2011
By: Rick Doyle, Synthetic Turf Council
Athletic Turf News

As of 2011, the estimated total amount of synthetic turf installed in North America annually conserves more than three billion gallons of water, significantly reduces smog emissions and eliminates close to a billion pounds of harmful fertilizers and pesticides. The industry has also recycled more than 105 million used tires.

Synthetic turf’s numerous eco-friendly benefits empower users to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, the El Paso Independent School District in Texas estimated its 10 new synthetic turf sports fields will save 80 million gallons of water each year, and $832,000 in water, mowing, repairs, and general maintenance. Switching to synthetic turf has also allowed the West Hollywood Sports Complex in Florida to conserve eight million gallons of water annually and eliminate the need for mowing, fertilization and pest control.

Environmental impact

— Conserves over three billion gallons of water. Water is one of our most precious resources. More than 6,000 synthetic turf fields are currently being used in the United States, with each full-sized field saving between 500,000 to 1,000,000 gallons plus of water each year. During 2010, that meant at least three billion gallons of water, and perhaps as much as six billion or more, was saved through the use of synthetic turf fields.

— Eliminates the need to water lawns. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over one-third of residential water is used for lawn irrigation nationwide, totaling more than 4 billion gallons of water a day. The Southern Nevada Water Authority also estimates that every square foot of grass replaced with synthetic turf saves an additional 55 gallons of water per year.  Therefore, an average lawn of 1,800 square feet will save 99,000 gallons of water a year if landscaped with synthetic turf – about 70% of a homeowner’s water bill, or up to $500.

— Eradicates the use of almost a billion pounds of pesticides and fertilizers. The EPA has identified runoff of toxic pesticides and fertilizers as a principal cause of water pollution.  In Florida alone, the EPA estimates that about 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of lakes and 900 square miles of estuaries are impaired by runoff of pesticides and fertilizers. Synthetic turf eliminates the need for nearly a billion pounds of harmful pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides which are used to maintain grass.

— Keeps more than 105 million used tires out of landfills. Most of the synthetic turf sports fields and landscape applications in use incorporate crumb rubber infill recycled from used tires, keeping more than 105 million used tires out of landfills.

— Depending on field usage, synthetic turf can lower consumption of energy, raw materials and solid waste generation. BASF Corporation performed an Eco-Efficiency Analysis measuring environmental and economical impacts of synthetic turf athletic fields with professionally installed and maintained grass alternatives.

According to BASF, among the major findings of the study was that the average life cycle costs over 20 years of a natural grass field are 15% higher than the synthetic turf alternatives, even when factoring in a replacement synthetic turf field during that time. Released in November 2010, the life cycle assessment found that with typical field usage, synthetic turf had a lower consumption of energy, raw materials and solid waste generation than natural grass fields. BASF’s eco-efficiency analysis is an award-winning and strategic tool, based on the ISO 14040 standard for lifecycle analysis, which quantifies the sustainability of products or processes.

— Prevents smog and noxious emissions.  According to the EPA, lawn mowers are a significant source of pollution that impairs lung function, inhibits plant growth, and is a key ingredient of smog.  A gas-powered push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars, and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.  In addition, the EPA estimates that over 17 million gallons of gas and oil are spilled each year from refueling lawn equipment; that is more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.

— Reduces grass clippings. The EPA estimated in 2002 that 12% of what goes into landfills is yard waste.  During the summer months, clippings can account for nearly half of a community’s waste.  Switching to synthetic turf reduces this significant source of environmental pollution.

Schools, parks, businesses, municipalities, homeowners, golf courses and others using synthetic turf can receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits for Water Efficient Landscaping, Stormwater Design, Recycled Content and Rapidly Renewable Materials from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Many synthetic turf companies have also created products that are 100% recyclable.  ‘Green’ options also exist for recycling, reusing and disposing of infill and the synthetic turf itself. The industry is working hard to develop further eco-friendly end-of-life disposal solutions.

The Motz Group is one of only 16 sports field construction companies that have a Certified Field Builder on staff!  The Motz Group is committed to excellent quality and superior service.
The Certified Field Builder Program was developed by the ASBA to help raise professional standards and to improve the practice of field construction. By passing a comprehensive exam on field construction and maintenance and by fulfilling prescribed standards of experience, Mark has demonstrated a high level of expertise in field construction.
Congratulations Mark!  We are very proud of your accomplishments.

For more information please contact:
Mark Heinlein, Senior Vice President
Zach Burns, Sales and Marketing Director
The Motz Group
513.533.64523
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Motz Group’s 24/7HP system is perfect for high-use, multi-purpose fields - exactly what Tennessee Tech athletes will be using it for.  The system uses wear resistance slit-film fiber (the same type of turf that covers the playing surface at TTU’s Tucker Stadium), and high performance AlveoSport® and Envirofill® components.  As a result this system is engineered to perform at the highest level of any synthetic turf system.  It’s also considered to be environmentally superior to traditional turf systems since it eliminates crumb rubber and incorporates components that can be recycled.  Envirofill is a great choice for indoor applications as it’s non-flammable, odorless and dust free.

Having worked with The Motz Group for the turf installation at Tucker Stadium, there was no debate in having them back for our indoor installation.  We continue to be amazed at the quality of service, and installation efficiency they provide.  We have personal relationships with their office staff as well as their field crews, and feel assured that they care about the project as much as we do.  The Motz Group will continue to be our first and only stop when it comes to synthetic turf. 
- Benjamin Shannon, Director of Athletic Facilities, Tennessee Tech University

For more photos click HERE

For more information contact
Zach Burns, Director of Sales & Marketing
The Motz Group
513-533-6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The field will be used for many different sports including football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. 

There are many benefits to installing the 24/7 synthetic field system at recreational developments – high performance, low maintenance, safety benefits, aesthetic, and functionality. Cancelling practices and games due to rain or saturated field conditions is a thing of the past. Now play will resume on a perfectly drained turf surface. No more trying to scurry to reschedule games, find alternative indoor facilities.  Gone are the worries of injuries on unsafe wet fields. 

Missy O’Brien, Recreation Director for the City of Wyoming says “Being in the same town as Wyoming High School, we were familiar with The Motz Group’s product.  They catered to our needs as a multi-use recreational facility.  Our field can now host football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey events in any climate, which is great for us when it comes to scheduling and rentals- our field is in constant use.”

By installing a 24/7 Motz Group field, Wyoming will now greatly reduce the high costs involved with time consuming maintenance tasks like mowing, aerating, reseeding and fertilizing.  Their new field will be able to endure limitless hours of play without wearing out.
Other notable synthetic turf systems in parks around the tri-state include City of Blue Ash and Riverside Park in the Anderson Township Park District.

Missy adds “The Motz Group was timely and effective, even working through the unpredictable snow that the fall and winter can bring in the Midwest.  I highly recommend working with The Motz Group to ensure the highest satisfaction when it comes to a synthetic turf project.”

For more information on synthetic turf systems contact Zach Burns, The Motz Group sales and marketing director at 513-533-6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

“Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it’s so incredible, it’s unbelievable” - Tom Landry

CONGRATULATIONS - 250 WINS FOR TWO AREA FOOTBALL COACHES
During the 2010 high school football season, two area coaches reached an outstanding milestone.  Licking Valley’s Randy Baughman and Valley View’s Jay Niswonger have won more than 250 games as head coach of their respective teams.  Congratulations!

COACH KLONNE HONORED AS BENGALS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Klonne of McNicholas was honored before the Dec. 26, game as the Bengals High School Coach of the Year. Klonne led the Rockets to the GCL Central league title and the Ohio Division III state semifinals.
For more detail click here.

14TH ANNUAL OHSFCA - UNDER ARMOUR FOOTBALL CLINIC

February 3,4, and 5 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus, Ohio.
This clinic has become America’s Greatest Football Clinic over the years and you will not want to miss this years jam packed event. 

If you are planning to attend this event, make sure to stop by to see Zach Burns and Dan Veil of The Motz Group, as they will be displaying at the show.

Some of the top college and high school coaches will be speaking.  Here is a list of tentative speakers:
Jim Tressel - Ohio State University Head Coach
Bret Bielema - University of Wisconsin Head Coach
Mark Dantonio - Michigan State University Head Coach
Mike Leach - Former Texas Tech University Head Coach
Don Treadwell - Miami University Head Coach
Darrell Hazell - Kent State University Head Coach
Jimmy Burrow - Ohio University Defensive Coordinator
Ron Powlus - University of Akron Quarterback Coach
Jim Heacock - Ohio State University Defensive Coordinator
Luke Fickell - Ohio State University Co-Defensive Coordinator
Taver Johnson - Ohio State University Cornerbacks Coach
Paul Haynes - Ohio State University Safties Coach
Matt McPherson - Northwestern University Running Backs Coach
Brian Rock - Kent State University Offensive Coordinator
Bill Conley - Ohio Dominican Head Coach
Rick Finotti - Lakewood St. Edwards High School - Division I State Champions
Brad Burchfield - Bishop Hartley High School - Division IV State Champions
Todd Schulte - Delphos St. Johns High School - Division VI State Champions
Dan Reardon - Ursuline High School - Division V State Champions
Dan Bjelac - Bishop Watterson High School - Division III State Champions
Todd Filtz - Maple Heights High School - Division II State Champions
Chip Otten - Coldwater High School - Division V State Runner Up
Mark Iammarino - Chagrin Falls High School - Division IV State Runner Up
Jay Minton - Huber Heights Wayne High School - Division I State Runner Up
Ricky Powers - Akron Buchtel High School - Division III State Runner Up
Maurice Douglas - Trotwood Madison High School - Division II State Runner Up
Rob Keys - University of Findlay Head Coach
Mike Gittleson - Former Michigan Strength and Conditioning Coach
Mark Batton - Magnolia High School (West Virginia) Class AA State Champions
Mike Yount - Wheeling Central Catholic High School (West Virginia) Class A State Champions
Tom Bolden - Colerain High School Head Coach

For more information on Synthetic Turf Fields contact
Zach Burns, Sales & Marketing
The Motz Group
513-533-6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Maybe you’ll get your 250th win on one of our fields too!

Winter can bring unpredictable snow storms- just ask the folks in Alabama.  As we experience heavy snow storms this winter, know that The Motz Group is available for snow removal services should you need to utilize your sporting field. Call Dan at 513-533-6452 for pricing and clearing tips including:

  using a rubber edged plow
  using only turf tires on the field
  never spinning tires on the turf
  never making sharp turns
  using e a tractor bucket with a pipe slit to fit over the edge

To schedule snow removal services for your turf field, or to ask questions on how to safely remove the snow yourself call 513-533-6452 or email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

Coverage of the entire infield with this improved high-performance artificial grass and advanced underlayment system makes the baseball field the first of its kind.

“This is the only baseball field like this, not just in the country but the world,” says Zach Burns of The Motz Group. “What’s unique about the system that The Summit is putting in is the system components that are being installed for baseball play. The components have already been used on some other fields, but not for baseball.”

An acrylic coated, non-elastic infill called Envirofill is the key component of the system because it provides a more realistic playing surface for baseball play than traditional rubber infilled systems. The infill looks like brown sand, replacing the larger black pellets used in other kinds of turf. “The non-elastic infill will result in truer ball bounces and speeds that closely resemble a high performance natural turf field. The infill has the added benefit of providing cooler surface temperatures,” says Burns.

“It is the turf technology used on this field that is new and different than what you see on older turf baseball fields and the entire infield will be covered,” says Greg Dennis, The Summit’s Athletic Director. “The major difference from playing on grass or a partially turfed field is that when everybody else would call a rain-out due to poor field conditions, we’ll still be able to play on our field.”

That would have helped last year in a major playoff game when The Summit’s top-seeded baseball team lost on an opponent’s field, Dennis said. “Last year, our team earned the right to play on their own field but because of Mother Nature, we had to go on the road. If we’d had artificial turf, that doesn’t mean we would have won that game, but we would have had the home-field advantage.”

Dennis credited the school’s Buildings and Grounds Committee for seeing the need for the artificial turf and parents for supporting the project. The project is being funded predominantly through fund-raising efforts. 

Located in Cincinnati, and serving students from age 2 through grade 12, The Summit Country Day School combines a strong, values-oriented Catholic education with the academic excellence of a top-tier independent school. The baseball field is visible from Interstate 71 south of Red Bank Road at The Summit’s Athletic Complex on Ehrling Road.

The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world-class synthetic and natural turf playing systems all over the globe. The Cincinnati company specializes in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as well as parks and recreation.

Original article can be found HERE

For additional photos and video click HERE (flickr) and/or HERE (youtube).

For completed images of Summit’s field click HERE

For more information please contact:
Zach Burns, Sales and Marketing Director
The Motz Group
513-533-6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The storybook could not have had a more dramatic, or sweeter, ending.

In the driving snow, in front of hundreds of faithful fans, the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team accomplished a feat that no men’s team at NKU ever has, winning the NCAA Division II national championship with a 3-2 victory over Rollins College.

NKU finishes the season with a 20-2-3 record.

Jack Little got the crowd roaring a little over nine minutes into the contest, just flicking a free-kick opportunity from Paul Andrews past the outstretched hands of Tar goalkeeper Keneil Baker for his third goal of the season.

NKU senior Steven Beattie was held in check for the better part of the game. One of his best chances of the game came early on a ball played back to Baker. Beattie looked to slide in and steal a goal, but the Rollins goalkeeper was able to lift the ball with his boot and prevent the Irishman from sliding in for the marker.

“I couldn’t seem to find my touch,” said Beattie, who was named the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year earlier this week. “As an Irishman, I’m not used to the snow, so that’s my excuse.

“[Rollins] said in the paper that they’ve never seen the snow, so we tried to use that in our favor.”

It appeared to be a deciding factor in NKU’s second goal, this time from sophomore Jordan Grant, who extended the Norse lead in the 33rd minute.

Michael Bartlett came crashing into the penalty area with a chance just six yards out, but his shot was deflected wide. Grant came in with a desperation touch to sneak the ball inside the right post for his third goal of the season, but none more important.

The Norse appeared to be in good shape, entering the halftime intermission with a 2-0 lead. But the Tars were not down yet.

“The first 15 minutes of the second half we knew [Rollins] was going to come out strong,” said NKU head coach John Basalyga of the tenacious opponents.

Disaster appeared to strike for the Norse in the second half as Adam New headed down a corner kick from Kevin Boone and beat NKU goalkeeper Michael Lavric on a bounce.

Three minutes later, off another set piece opportunity for the Tars, an attempted clearance by Andrews in the box came off the head of Rollins’ Jack Clifford and into the twine for the equalizer.

“You have a two-goal lead and with the snap of a finger, in two minutes, it’s all wiped away,” said the senior Lavric, who made nine saves in the victory. “It feels like the game is starting to slip away from you.”

Two of those saves came just five minutes later, as Bradley Welch came in with a long shot from the right side that Lavric turned away, but sent the rebound toward the top of the 18-yard-box. Rollins midfielder Andreas Mayer came hard with a low shot back in, but Lavric also turned the rebound away and kept the Norse level.

NKU turned it around in the 65th minute, starting on an offensive flurry that saw Beattie take his only shot of the game, which was blocked eight yards out by the Rollins back line. However, NKU continued to press the attack, with Anthony Meyer picking up the loose ball and dribbling forward.

Meyer sent a seeking cross into the box, and found the head of freshman Michael Holder, who gave his best effort.

“I was just trying to make contact and get it on goal,” said Holder of the quick shot.

The result just popped off the hands of the Rollins goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give Holder his 15th goal of the season and the Norse the lead.

“It was a typical Northern Kentucky game,” said Basalyga. “Give up a couple of goals and figure out a way to score a game-winner. We’ve been doing that all year long.”

Rollins continued to pour in shots in the final 25 minutes of the contest, but Lavric stood tall with four big saves late in the game.

“Everything just happened so fast, it’s just reaction,” said Lavric. “[Coach] reminded me, just keep your body behind the ball and keep it out of the back of the net. It may not be pretty, but as long as it stayed out I guess I did my job.”

“It was absolutely amazing coming here and having a 12th man,” added Beattie, who credited the NKU faithful in the stands for the lift the defense needed late. “The last 15 minutes, with our backs against the wall, that noise from the fans really pulled us through.”

Another turning point for the Norse came in the 85th minute when Nicholas Chiarot took a hard foul from Jack Clifford while going after a ball down the sideline. Clifford, who was already shown a yellow card earlier in the half, saw his second booking and was sent off, forcing the Tars to try and catch up while playing a man down.

NKU was able to control play from there, keeping the ball in the offensive half for the remainder of the contest and taking the hard-fought victory.

“We’re not the prettiest team in the world,” added Basalyga. “(Rollins) were very technical, very big, in some cases more skilled that we are. But the way we train and what we do and how we do it, it’s that ‘gut’ thing we have.

“I’d rather win ugly than lose good.”

Basalyga was the first coach to get NKU into the NCAA Tournament, qualifying for the first time in 2006. The Norse proceeded to win the next three Midwest Regional championships, advancing to the national semifinals in 2008.

However, it was the following season, in which NKU was eliminated in the first round of the postseason, that Basalyga feels motivated this team above all.

“How many people get upset after going 15-6? These kids were upset,” said Basalyga, “They practiced on their own for two weeks before the season started to get them ready for me. It’s a tribute to these kids and what they’ve done.”

Beattie, who’s storied career at NKU ended in the most magnificent way, sees this as just the beginning for a young and talented team that will return with the same fire next year.

“I was the first international player brought in, and back then Coach told me that this program was on the rise,” said Beattie. “And I leave with a semifinal and a national championship. It’s a credit to everyone associated with the program. We worked hard, we’ve got our new facility, and we’re still on the rise.”

This article was written by Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information. For original piece click HERE.

The NKU Norse play their home games on a field installed by The Motz Group. For more information contact:
Zach Burns, Sales and Marketing Director
The Motz Group
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
513-533-6452

CONGRATULATIONS to the Madeira Girls Soccer team for winning the state title on Saturday, November 13 at Crew Stadium in Columbus! They won 2-1 in overtime over Shaker Heights’ Hathaway Brown School. Cari Rusk scored to tie the game 1-1 with 9:24 left in regulation and Katie Landgrebe scored the winning goal in OT. This is the first time the Madeira Amazon Soccer team has won a state title.

Madeira came into the state championship game ranked #1 in the state Division II polls. They left in the same place. The Amazons defeated Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 2-1 in overtime to win their first girls’ state soccer championship. Hathaway Brown scored the first goal in the 2nd period. With 9:18 to go in regulation, Cari Rusk scored the first goal for Madeira. The score was tied 1-1 after regulation, With 6:30 left in the first overtime, senior Katie Landgrebe scored the winning goal. The assist was by Ashlynne Huon who was hurt all of the regular season and didn’t come back until district play. How appropriate that Landgrebe got the winning goal. She led the league in goals this season. She is one of the eight seniors that have won 76 games in their high school careers.

This is the first team state championship in the CHL since 2007 when Mariemont boys won the lacrosse title. In league recognized sports, this is the first title since 2003 when Taylor girls’ cross country & Madeira boys’
soccer won state championships. For Madeira, it was the fifth state team championship in the school’s history, the second by a girls’ team. Besides the boys’ 2003 soccer title, they had won the soccer championship in 2002. The baseball team won in 1999 and the volleyball team won in 1978.

The Amazons end a tremendous season 21-0-3. Congratulations to Coach Dan Brady, his assistants, & the Madeira girls’ soccer players!

Click HERE to see original article.

The Madeira Amazons play their home games on a Motz Group 24/7® synthetic turf field. 
For information on this system contact:
Zach Burns, Director of Sales and Marketing
513.533.6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Both Anderson and Madeira play their home soccer games on Motz Group’s 24/7® Synthetic Turf.

ANDERSON
Anderson High School Girls Soccer defeated Mason High School on Nov. 6 to clinch the Southwest Regional Championship title. The Redskins move on to the state girls soccer semifinals and will play Pickerington North at Centerville High School at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10.

MADEIRA
Madeira Amazons defeated Uniontown 8-2 to win the Division II regional title and will now face league opponent Indian Hill in the final four of the state championship.  The State Semi-Final will be played Wednesday at 7 pm at Princeton High School.

CONGRATULATIONS REGIONAL CHAMPS and GOOD LUCK AT STATE!

To learn more about 24/7® synthetic turf contact:
Zach Burns, Sales & Marketing Director
513.533.6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

GEORGETOWN — There are dozens of languages spoken on the Henry Clay boys’ soccer team.
There are at least six countries represented on the Devils’ roster.
They were born worlds apart, but they ended up in a giant heap on the field at Toyota Stadium celebrating their 2-0 state championship win over Daviess County on Saturday night.
“They’re passionate, and they love soccer, and they believe in each other,” a soaking wet, shivering but smiling coach Tim Bernardi said. “That was the key ingredient: believing in themselves and believing in each other.”

They started the season 0-3 against some of the state’s best competition. They labored through losses, then they came together.

“Lots of team bonding,” senior defender Nick Zaytsev said. “We like to do some campfires and lots of meals together. We have fun as a team on the field and off the field.”

The team had reason to bond 10 minutes into the title game when it grabbed an early lead. It started with a pretty pass from Walker Ueland, and it ended with John Manga showing pure speed and power, driving past two defenders, then faking out goalkeeper Jordan Ratliff to slam home a goal.

It was the junior captain’s 22nd goal of the season. Manga, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was all smiles after the win.

“I can’t believe it,” Manga said. “I still can’t believe it. I never thought in my dreams that I would win a high school state championship. Now I get a ring.”

Midway through the second half, Addison Manley added some insurance, taking a tap from fellow sophomore Zach Campbell and firing it from 20 yards out.

The ball banged off the right post, then off Ratliff before falling into the goal to give Manley his second goal of the season. The midfielder was named tournament Most Valuable Player after the victory in front of the crowd of 2,776.

That goal was huge for the defense, which had been under fire. Daviess County (16-10-1) outshot the Devils 4-3 for the game.

“It was a huge relief because we got a little bit of breathing room in the back,” Zaytsev said. “But I never had any doubt in our defense ... Over the past dozen games, we’ve given up very few goals.”

It was the Devils’ ninth straight win and its 15th shutout of the season. Playing against a difficult schedule, Henry Clay (18-6-1) allowed just 17 goals all year.

It was the unranked Devils’ second state soccer championship. Their last one was in 1991 when they beat Male.

They did it without the team’s third-leading scorer, Saint-Marc Dokossi, who had to sit after getting a red card in the semifinals.

They did it together.

“They just started getting better and better as a group and playing for each other,” Bernardi said. “It paid off for them.”

Henry Clay 2, Daviess Co. 0

Goals—John Manga, Addison Manley.
Goalkeepers—HC: Ryan Smalls; DC: Jordan Ratliff.
Records—Henry Clay 18-6-1, Daviess County 16-10-1.

Click HERE to see original article.

The Henry Clay Blue Devils play their home games on a 24/7® Synthetic Turf System.  To learn more about this system please contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales & Marketing
The Motz Group
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
513.533.6452

Get ready… get set… it’s time for soccer state championships!!  It doesn’t get much better than a crisp fall afternoon rooting your team to victory! Congratulations to all in the tournaments, especially those who play(ed) on Motz Group fields!

All teams below in bold play on their own Motz Group field; still others will play their tournament game on a Motz Group field.

Check back as we update results!

2010 DIVISION II GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
11/13/10 @ 10am
Cincinnati Madeira v. Shaker Heights

2010 OHIO BOYS & GIRLS REGIONAL FINALS
Ohio Boys Division I Regional Final
Saturday 11/6 @ 3pm
Region 4 ~ Sycamore 0 v. Centerville 1

Ohio Boys Division III Regional Final
Saturday 11/6 @ 3pm
Region 12 ~ Mariemont 0 v. Catholic Central 2 @ Hamilton

Ohio Girls Division I Regional Final
11/6/10 @ 12pm
Region 2 ~ Perrysburg 0 v. Strongsville 1
Region 4 ~ Mason 0 v. Anderson 1

Ohio Girls Division II Regional Final
11/6/10 @ 12pm
Region 7 ~ Madeira 8 v. Uniontown 2
Region 8 ~ McNicholas 0 v. Indian Hill 1 @ Lakota East

2010 OHIO GIRLS STATE SEMIFINALS
11/10/10 @ 7:00pm
Cincinnati Anderson 2 v. Pickering HS North 3
Cincinnati Madeira 1 v. Cincinnati Indian Hill 0

 

2010 KENTUCKY BOYS SEMIFINALS
Kentucky Boys Semifinals
Thursday 11/4 @ 8pm
Henry Clay 2 v. Scott 1

2010 KENTUCKY BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Kentucky Boys State Championship
Saturday 11/6 @ 8:30pm
Henry Clay 2 v. Daviess County 0

2010 KENTUCKY BOYS STATE CHAMPIONS:  HENRY CLAY HIGH SCHOOL!

To learn more about Motz Group Synthetic Turf fields, contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales & Marketing
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
513.533.6452

The Motz Group 24/7® fields are in tip top shape ready for the tackles, sprints and drives.  Congratulations to all teams competing on Motz Group fields ~ we wish you continued success!

All teams bolded below play their home games on a Motz Group 24/7® field.

Check back as we update the results!

STATE SEMIFINALS ~ Saturday 12/27

OHIO Division I - 7:00 p.m.
Huber Heights Wayne v. Hilliard Davidson

OHIO Division III - 7:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas v. Columbus Bishop Watterson

REGIONAL FINALS ~ Friday 11/19 and Saturday 11/20

OHIO DIVISION I; Region 4
Huber Heights Wayne vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier at Dayton Welcome Stadium

OHIO DIVISION II; Region 8
Kings Mills Kings vs. Trotwood Madison

OHIO DIVISION III; Region 12
Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas vs.  Eaton

KENTUCKY CLASS 4A
Lexington Catholic vs. Boyle County

KENTUCKY CLASS 6A
Lafayette at Scott County

To learn more about 24/7® fields, contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales & Marketing
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
513.533.6452

Previous games in tournament…

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

OHIO DIVISION I ; Region 4
Huber Heights Wayne 36 vs. Centerville 33 at Dayton Welcome Stadium
Cincinnati Colerain 23 vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier 24

OHIO DIVISION II ; Region 7
Dresden Tri-Valley 28 vs. Uniontown Lake 42
Region 8
Cincinnati Winton Woods 23 vs. Trotwood-Madison 42
Kings Mills Kings 35 vs. Cincinnati Mt. Healthy 28

OHIO DIVISION III ; Region 11
Alliance Marlington 48 vs. Newark Licking Valley 21
Region 12
Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas 31 vs. St. Bernard Roger Bacon 14

OHIO DIVISION IV
Region 16
Clarksville Clinton-Massie 20 vs. Kenton 36 at Dayton Welcome Stadium

KENTUCKY CLASS 1A
Walton-Verona 7 at Frankfort 49

KENTUCKY CLASS 4A ~ Friday 11/12 @ 7:30pm
West Jessamine 14 at Lexington Catholic 41

KENTUCKY CLASS 5A ~ Friday 11/12 @ 7:00pm
Dixie Heights 28 at Highlands 42
Covington Catholic 28 at Johnson Central 41

KENTUCKY CLASS 6A ~ Friday 11/12 @ 7:30pm
Simon Kenton 21 at Henry Clay 19
Lafayette 21 at Meade County 20

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

OHIO DIVISION I ~ Saturday 11/6 @ 7pm
REGION 4
Wayne 21  at Middletown 0
Hamilton 14 at Colerain 42
St. X 30 at LaSalle 14
Centerville 27 vs. Moeller 17

OHIO DIVISION II ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
REGION 7
Zanesville 19 at Columbus Marion-Franklin 49
Tri-Valley 30 at New Albany 27 (2OT)

REGION 8
Dayton Carroll 21 at Winton Woods 40
New Carlisle Tecumseh 30 at Kings 55
Mount Healthy 27 at Turpin 17

OHIO DIVISION III ~ Saturday 11/6 @ 7pm
REGION 11
Newark Licking Valley 29  at East Liverpool 3

REGION 12
Dayton Dunbar 0 vs. McNicholas 28
Wyoming 21 at Roger Bacon 26

OHIO DIVISION IV ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
REGION 16
Taft 20 at Clinton Massie 21

OHIO DIVISION V~ Saturday 11/6 @ 7pm
REGION 20
Summit Country Day 6 at West Jefferson 43

OHIO DIVISION VI ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
REGION 24
Lockland 0 at Sidney Lehman 42

KENTUCKY CLASS 1A ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
Bracken County 0 at Walton-Verona 46

KENTUCKY CLASS 4A ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
Harrison County 19 at Lexington Catholic 27

KENTUCKY CLASS 5A ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
South Oldham 21 at Bullitt Central 28
Dixie Heights 42 at Montgomery County 20
Scott 13 at Johnson Central 47
Ashland Blazer 19 at Covington Catholic 43 (Saturday 11/6 @2pm)

KENTUCKY CLASS 6A ~ Friday 11/5 @ 7:30pm
Connor 20 at Henry Clay 32
North Hardin 6 at Lafayette 24

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The school hadn’t hosted a varsity football game since the late 1950s. Instead, it would have to play its home dates at schools such as Turpin, Anderson and Mariemont.

That changed when the Rockets hosted Purcell Marian in the inaugural game at McNicholas High School’s new Penn Station Stadium Oct. 16.

In front of packed crowd, the Rockets easily defeated the Cavaliers, 44-8.

Senior co-captain Jack Dooling appreciated having the support of the fans, who packed the auxiliary bleachers (the stadium project won’t be completed until 2012) on the east sideline during the contest.

“To be able to play in front of a crowd that big and win the inaugural game, and (to have) all the support from the McNick community, because sometimes, we’d get lost with Turpin and Anderson down the road…it’s great to see we have the support,” Dooling said.

Quarterback Matt Staubach shared Dooling’s attitude about school pride.

“It was amazing, to go out and have a win like we did, in front of the entire school, and entire community,” Staubach said, “It just felt great.”

The Rockets first points on the new field came when senior linebacker Ryan McMillan tackled Purcell Marian’s E.J. Burnett for a safety with 5:32 left in the first quarter.

Staubach added the Rockets’ first touchdown at the facility four plays later when he rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown.

Staubach said he was excited to score the first touchdown at the new stadium.

McNick coach Steve Klonne, who will retire after 25 years of coaching in the Cincinnati area at the end of the season, was pleased with the win, but also glad the squad could start focusing on its next game.

“With all of the hoopla about the first game and homecoming here…I’m glad it’s over and we won and we can move on,” he said.

As the regular season start to wind down, McNick has postseason aspirations.

Through week seven, the Rockets were ranked No. 4 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s region 12 computer rankings.

Roger Bacon, whom McNick beat 21-14 Oct. 7, was ranked first in that same poll.

Dooling believes the Roger Bacon win helped McNick make a statement about how good a team the Rockets can be.

“For McNick to go out, and win a game like that - we haven’t done that in the past,” Dooling said. “It made a huge statement for the whole team, that we could win a game like that.”

Klonne, who has 197 career wins, relishes the fact that McNick, who would be in the postseason if the playoffs started today, controls its own destiny (the top eight teams from each region receive playoff berths).

“That’s the way you hope you have it,” Klonne said. “We have really two tough games coming up. If we beat these next couple of opponents, we’ll have earned our way into the playoffs.”

McNick travels to Dayton Carroll Oct. 22, and ends the regular season at Badin Oct. 29.

Click here to read original article.

For more information on synthetic or natural turf systems contact:
Zach Burns, Director of Sales & Marketing
The Motz Group
513-533-6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If you’ve driven down Roundbottom Road in Anderson Township recently, no doubt you’ve seen a lot of exciting construction happening at Riverside Park. 

The Motz Group has just finished installing the 165,000-square-foot synthetic field that will be used for football, soccer and lacrosse.

The Anderson Township Park District maintains a total of 7 athletic field complexes that offer sports of all varieties and for all ages.  Understanding the demand from their residents for year-round athletic field usage, the Park District knew the best solution was a synthetic turf system.  After much research and many field visits, 24/7®HP was their unanimous choice.  The 24/7HP system incorporates our work-horse slit-film yarn, Envirofill® acrylic coated sand, and the Alveo Sports Layer shock attenuation pad.  The decision to go towards the upgraded HP model was fueled by the District’s desire for a high performance and environmentally superior system.  The field footprint is over 165,000 sq ft and is permanently lined for football, full sized and youth sized soccer, and lacrosse tick marks.

The Park District will rent the new synthetic fields from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.  Rental times include set-up, warm-up and take-down or clean-up time and fields will be allocated based on priority.  Park district youth or adult athletic programs of leagues, or Park-District sponsored event will have the first opportunities to use the fields.  Nonprofit youth organizations based in Anderson Township will be next on the priority list and general youth users, select programs and adult users fall into group three.  For-profit organizations, tournaments, clinics and camps with paid staff or trainers are also in the last group.

To learn more about The Motz Group’s ‘High Performance’ system upgrades, please contact
Zach Burns, Sales & Marketing Director
513.533.6452
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

TAYLOR MILL, Ky. - Homecoming took on a whole new meaning Friday for Scott High School.

Scott Eagles Stadium hosted its first game of the season with one brand-new striking feature: artificial playing turf.

“That’s better than anything we’ve ever had,” head coach Dave Campbell said.

School board members participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the field’s inaugural game — a 42-7 Eagles win against Lloyd.

“It was tough playing every game on the road the first five weeks,” Campbell said. “Of course it’s sweet to be home, but we really wanted to bring home the first win here at our first home game and our kids rose to the occasion. I’m proud of them.”

The Scott defense paved the way, forcing four Juggernauts turnovers and a safety while keeping Lloyd off the scoreboard until backup running back Daishaun Bruton scored with 2:16 to play.

Nick Farris’ interception of Dexter Smith ended Lloyd’s first drive deep in its own territory. Scott quarterback Joey Heeb’s first rushing touchdown of the season gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead after seven minutes.

Scott senior Rob Swinford recovered a fumbled snap and junior Brandon Stamper picked off Smith’s second interception to end Lloyd’s next two possessions. Both turnovers led to Scott touchdowns, giving the Eagles a 21-0 edge early in the second quarter.

“We finally got everybody back on defense. We’ve been moving people around,” Campbell said. “We finally had a couple weeks in a row where we had our top 11 out there in the same positions. That really helped us tonight.”

Offensively, Heeb completed 6 of 9 passes for 51 yards and ran for 53 yards, scoring one touchdown each through the air and on the ground in his first start since in a month.

Fellow junior Ryan Sowder earned the starting nod before Scott’s win against Bellevue in week three, but an early injury against Dixie Heights last week put Heeb back under center.

“He struggled the first couple games of the year, but he’s a great team player,” Campbell said. “Joey did a great job tonight managing the game.”

Though he didn’t play quarterback against Lloyd, Sowder carried the ball out of the backfield eight times for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

“We’re still trying to take it easy on Ryan,” Campbell said. “We didn’t want him to take so many hits tonight.”

Junior running back Justin Hoskins added another pair of rushing touchdowns, the second giving the Eagles a 42-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve got everybody back on our offensive line and we always tell them an average back can run through a big hole,“ Campbell said. “But we’ve got a couple good backs, and when the line is letting them get to the second level, they can make some plays for us.”

To see original article, click here.

For more information on Synthetic Turf Fields, contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales & Marketing
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.233.2366
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Another undefeated weekend for the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team meant another jump in the national rankings, as the Norse checked in at No. 4 in the latest NCAA Division II national poll, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced on Tuesday.

More of this article can be found HERE

NKU returns to action at home on Friday against GLVC foe Illinois-Springfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Norse wrap up the weekend on Sunday by hosting Lewis for a noon start.

The Brand New NKU Norse Stadium
The Motz Group recently finished installing NKU’s new synthetic turf field at their new Soccer Stadium.

*NKU constructed a $6.5 million soccer stadium adjacent to The Bank of Kentucky Center, ending a 10-year period of Norse soccer playing off-campus in Wilder, Ky.
*Seating for 1,000 spectators
*Artificial playing surface that will contain a fully lighted, World Cup style 120-yard by 80-yard competition field.
*Other amenities include concessions and restroom facilities, coaches’ offices, four team locker rooms plus officials’ dressing rooms, full athletic training facilities, a press box and media work area to facilitate radio and television broadcasts, laundry and equipment storage. The stadium will also include the “Founders’ Suite,” a 1,000 square foot luxury box that includes a walk-out deck which overlooks the field and will provide exceptional amenities for spectators to the game as well as meeting space on non-game days.

The new NKU soccer stadium will provide a championship-caliber soccer stadium that will permit Northern Kentucky University to host sporting events, including NCAA championship tournaments, and Kentucky High School Athletic Association district, regional, and state championships. This will attract visitors who will benefit the area financially, bring prospective students to the campus, and give NKU the opportunity to recruit top-notch student-athletes in soccer to compete at the highest level in NCAA Division II.

Additionally, the school will benefit from having lighted facilities with adequate seating and crowd control that permits Northern Kentucky University to increase the number of games held at convenient times for spectators.

More pictures can be found HERE

The NKU Soccer Complex was formally dedicated Sunday September 19, 2010.

For more information, contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales and Marketing
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
513.533.6452

The Piqua High School Varsity Football team is 3 and 2 so far this season and loving every minute played on their brand new 24/7 synthetic turf field built by The Motz Group. 
The Indians are looking forward to finishing up their football season on their new turf against Trotwood-Madison on 10/1, Troy on 10/8 and Fairborn on 10/29.

Dear Joe,
Just a brief note to say thank you to both you and Zach for taking the time to be a part of our September 3rd turf dedication ceremony.
After meeting with several other synthetic turf companies, it became very apparent that the Motz Group was far superior and was the correct selection for Piqua High School’s
“Our Field of Dreams” project.
From the first meeting we had with your associates, their professional approach and sincere interest in fulfilling our project to our satisfaction was apparent.
Any questions were answered promptly and professionally.
Their expertise and the quality of their workmanship is second to none.  They exceeded all expectations and met all timelines.
In my 22 years of dealing with additions to Piqua’s athletic facilities, the Motz Group was the hardest working and most personable workers I have observed.
They made us feel like they were members of our own maintenance staff.
The 24/7 surface has provided, not only a safe playing surface, but also has brought a great sense of pride to the Piqua community.
I recommend the Motz Group very highly.
Ed Purk
Piqua High School
Athletic Director (Retired)
Steering Committee Chairperson

Click Here to see video and pictures of construction and completed field.

For more information contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales and Marketing
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

With Jay Bruce’s bottom of the ninth walk-off home run, the Reds clinched the division title in dramatic fashion with their win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night! 

This will be the first time the Reds will play a post season schedule in Great American Ball Park which means it’s the first time the they’ll compete for the title on the field installed by The Motz Group. The Great American Ball Park has an HPG System surfaced with TSII and also an Envirofill amended warning track. 

More about the Reds’ Turf Systems
taken from our website at http://www.themotzgroup.com/

High Performance Gravity® Natural Turf System
The HPG® Natural Turf System is our customized field solution designed specifically to meet your site-specific needs and may vary by sport and project. Each field is specifically engineered to fit your performance standards, projected usage patterns, local environmental conditions and budget.

The Motz Group manages the entire project, from concept and design through construction. We create a detailed project plan and specifications to fit your site requirements. At, Motz we stress open communication throughout the process to keep plans on-time and on-budget. Our value-engineered redesigns have helped field owners save hundreds of thousands of dollars while maximizing optimal field performance.

HPG® Advantages
■Meets your project-specific objectives and requirements
■Custom designed and engineered to fit your budget and site conditions
■Maximizes owner/contractor interaction to deliver on-target project results

Synthetic Stabilized Turf® Natural Turf SystemThe Motz Group’s TS-II® product is a patented combination of natural grass growing in a unique stabilizing mat. The combination produces a system that delivers the manageability, playability and flexibility demanded by today’s world-class venues.

TSII® Advantages
■Dramatically increased wear tolerance compared to conventional grass
■Horizontal stability, even on pure sand rootzones
■Decreased devoting, shearing and displacement damage
■Meets the aesthetic and athletic demands of today’s sport field market
■Provides the flexibility to rapidly replace logos and change out worn areas
■Immediate playability upon installation or rotation

Warning Track amended with Envirofill®

Explanation of the use of Envirofill in the warning track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhXRMED4JLk

Footage of Envirofill being installed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONbzHMFhmBE

For more information contact:

Zach Burns, Director Sales and Marketing
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

GO REDS!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2010, Cincinnati, OH.  The Motz Group has launched its new Content Management System (CMS) website, at http://www.themotzgroup.com. The dramatically redesigned site is fresh, clean and easy to navigate. “Clear communication both visual and in words is the key when it comes to design and I believe we achieved that with this new site” says Mary Beth Wilker of Wilker Design & Marketing.

The home page welcomes viewers with a powerful flash banner, top industry related news information and a small sampling of the teams and schools with whom they’ve worked.

Zach Burns, Director of Sales & Marketing, is proud of the new site. “We are excited for the roll out.  It’s fresh, user-friendly and packed with useful information.  Best of all we will be updating it constantly to keep the most current information available for our clients.  Our hope is that visitors will gain a comprehensive view of our dynamic company and the athletic field industry as a whole.”

Notable features
Project Gallery
brilliant layout of featured fields organized by field system type with expandable image and client quotes.

Synthetic / Natural / Sports
resource of products, applications and useful information helping clients to decide which system might be appropriate for their needs.

News / Media
keeping visitors abreast of the latest happenings including blog articles, press releases and video footage.

You are invited to visit the website and return often since it will be regularly updated with new photographs, news and other informative pieces.

About The Motz Group
Founded in 1977, The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of Synthetic and Natural Turf Systems for professional, college and high school teams.  Please visit the website to learn more!
For more information contact:
Erin Richards
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Email:  HYPERLINK “mailto:info@themotzgroup.com” .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

2010 Winners of the Search for the Real Field of Dreams
Synthetic turf athletic fields and community parks have transformed the lives of America’s youth and enhanced public wellness. As you’ll see, the winners of the Synthetic Turf Council’s 2010 Search for the Real Field of Dreams Contest have amazing stories to share. Kids in economically-challenged urban areas now have safe play spaces instead of rundown, concrete school yards. A community came together to survive an F-5 Tornado with their new synthetic turf field as a rallying point of local pride. Elite and amateur athletes have exceeded their personal goals by accessing new, state-of-the art facilities. We hope you enjoy reading about how people improved their communities with these real fields of dreams!

National Finalist (Athetlic Fields Category)Tri-Valley High School, Dresden, OH
Our unique story begins in the small town of Dresden, Ohio. Dresden started as a bustling little town with a canal cut right through it that connected the Muskingum River to the historic Ohio canal. Ironically, our football stadium was built in 1950 in the valley where that very canal once existed. The Longaberger family moved to Dresden in late 1800’s and the basket business began. By the mid 1900’s the origins of the Longaberger basket company were beginning to take shape. By the late 1970’s, Dave Longaberger had created a booming business based out of Dresden that catered to people all over the world and provided them with handmade baskets.

As the years passed by, Dresden became a tourist hotspot with more than one hundred tour busses stopping daily. The townspeople flocked to buy real estate on Main Street in Dresden, and it filled with shop after shop specializing in baskets of all varieties. Our town had a new identity, one that would remain a source of pride for many years. The Longaberger Homestead, just outside of town, employed over 8,000 and people came from miles away to watch as workers hand wove the baskets they would later purchase. For years, our entire town’s economy prospered because of the Longaberger basket company.

In the last ten years, that prosperity has turned to despair as it has in so many blue-collar towns. The Longaberger Company has cut its workforce from 8,000 to just over 1,000. Many of the small shops that once lined our downtown have closed as the sounds of tour busses have slowly faded over the past few years. Unemployment in our county is nearly 16%, compared to the state average of 10%. As the Longaberger Company faded the one thing that had established our town’s identity also began to fade. With it went our town’s feeling of pride and in some ways the self worth that comes along with being a booming tourist attraction.

Out town needed a shot of adrenaline. It needed something to rally around, and something to be proud of again. This is where our “Field of Dreams” came to fruition.

Tri-Valley High School is located in Dresden. It was created in 1966 when three local districts consolidated. Sine that day it has had a long tradition of sports excellence. However, the one sport that could never establish continued success was football. As if it were destiny, just as the morale of our town started to decline, the morale of the football program began to build. The 2008 season was out third winning season in a row and our program reached the state playoffs for the first two times in history in 2006 and 2007.

With our success, came challenges. Our numbers were at an all-time high as we now had over 175 boys in our program from 7-12 grade. Unfortunately, we had only one football practice field to accommodate all of our student athletes. This lack of space created huge logistical problems when you strive to get your athletes home in time to be good students. Our situation was made worse by the fact that our game field was in no condition to accommodate practices as well as games. As I mentioned earlier, our field was built where a canal once ran and as a result it had severe drainage issues. In fact, by the middle of the season we began painting the middle of the field to make it appear as if we had grass. It constantly drew the ire of opposing coaches because they feared their athletes would get injured as a result of the field conditions.

At the end of 2008, we decided to build on the momentum created by the football program and propose the field turf project to our school and community. Six months later we had our new synthetic turf field and everything has changed. Our student athletes have all reaped the benefits of such a great surface. The football team is now able to play and practice on a perfect surface everyday. Younger players now use our remaining practice field after school. Student athletes have been remarkable as well. With the exception of days in which it was snow covered, not a day has passed since the synthetic turf field project has been completed that our field has not been in use. From soccer and band in the fall, to baseball, softball and track in the spring, our turf gets used on a daily basis. The drainage problems that were so prevalent on our old field are now non-existent.

Describing the great benefits the field has had for our student athletes is really only half the story. The other half of the story revolves around a small town that has been revived by our synthetic turf field project. About a community and a town that had lost its identity and source of joy. The people in our great town, like some many other blue-collar towns throughout America want something to believe in, to take pride in, and something they can call their own. Our field is theirs as much as it is ours. Our schools, our student athletes, and our new synthetic turf field are now the identity of our great town. Like many places in America, people are still struggling to find occupational success. But in our town, every Friday night in the fall, townspeople forget about their problems and share in the thrill of success that our completed project has provided. This year they watched Tri-Valley Football complete a perfect 5-0 home record on the new synthetic turf field. The resurgence of our football program and the resiliency of our town now resonate every day when you look out at our new “field of dreams.”

Other 2010 Nominees include
City of Hollywood, Hollywood, FL
Cotting School, Lexington, MA
Falcon Field, Meriden, CT
Home Plate Baseball, Peachtree City, GA
Loveland High School, Loveland, OH*
Madeira High School, Cincinnati, OH*
Marist High School, Atlanta, GA
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Riverdale County Schools, Bronx, NY
South Oldham High School, Crestwood, KY*

*These teams also play on 24/7 Systems

For more information contact:
Zach Burns, Director Sales & Marketing
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Buzz around Football Extends to National USA Today Coverage
Lindsey Wilson College received national recognition on Wednesday, August 11, as the Blue Raider football program was mentioned in USA Today.

Lindsey Wilson is one of at least 26 schools in the NAIA and NCAA beginning football over a four year span (2009-2013). Blue Raider football returns—the program has been dormant for 75 years—at 1:30 p.m. CT on September 4 against another first-year program, Notre Dame (Ohio) College.

Lindsey Wilson and Notre Dame are among six institutions beginning football this season.

The article cites the stark contrast between Lindsey Wilson and NCAA’s University South Alabama—who has an enrollment of more than 14,000 students—as both begin the venture of football in 2010.

“It’s exciting to see Lindsey Wilson and our programs receive national acknowledgement,” LWC athletics director Willis Pooler said. “The USA Today article is an example of how football is another vehicle for us to extend the college’s mission to a wider audience.”

Click here for full article from USA Today.

Coach Oliver says being pleased with The Motz Group is an understatement
“Building a college football program from scratch is a huge undertaking, and picking the right company for our artificial turf project was one of the biggest decisions we had to make during the entire process. After researching multiple companies and checking references across the region, we made the decision to have The Motz Group install their ‘24/7’ synthetic turf at our new stadium. To say we’ve been pleased with our field over the past 10 months is an understatement. The installation process was smooth, and the entire Motz Group staff was great to work with. After practicing on our field throughout spring football and fall camp, I can say without a doubt that I’ve never stepped foot on a nicer synthetic turf field anywhere. During the research process I had other coaches tell me that we couldn’t go wrong if we went with The Motz Group, and I now share that same sentiment.”

Chris Oliver
Head Football Coach
Lindsey Wilson College

For more information contact:
Zach Burns, Director
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

 

The Motz Group offers a unique annual deep cleaning service that is engineered to functionally, hygienically, and aesthetically improve synthetic turf field surfaces.  Our Synthetic Maintenance Program, or SMP, is a four step customized process that rejuvenates synthetic playing fields, with the goal of maximizing the turfs lifespan.

Benefits of our Synthetic Maintenance Program

  • maximizes fiber lifespan
  • reconditions the infill
  • improves playability
  • enhances field aesthetics
  • addresses surface hygienics
  • work with experts in turf fields

Maximize the lifespan of your turf with our comprehensive maintenance program. Call Dan Veil at 513-533-6452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information or to schedule a free detailed field assessment.

Notice the difference in the side of the field that has been treated and the side that has yet to be done.

Aeration Drum ~ loosens infill

Loose fibers, sticks, twigs, athletic tape, and other debris collected during the SMP process

Applying contact disinfectant that attacks any bacteria present on the surface.

‘New’ Frank Irelan Field officially dedicated at CMHS
The “new” Frank Irelan Field was officially dedicated Tuesday night during the Meet the Teams ceremony at Clinton-Massie High School.

The field was originally grass but is now artificial turf. The boys and girls soccer teams scrimmaged Madison following the ribbon cutting.

In the ribbon cutting photo, from left to right, are Jamie Evans, Clinton-Massie Boosters Club; Zach Burns, the Motz Group; Jeff Borton, Clinton-Massie school board; Dan McSurley, varsity football coach; Jackie Phipps, boosters club; Lisa Homan, school board; Dr. Mike Sander, district superintendent; Keith Mattison, athletic director; Matt Johannes, boys soccer coach; Pat Black, representing the girls soccer team; and Chris Robinson, boosters club.

“Ownership Thinking” is a prestigious national organization that provides training and tools necessary to develop a healthy workforce of people who “own” the success of their company. Ownership Thinking teaches companies how to act and think like owners. Since The Motz Group became involved with Ownership Thinking in March 2009, we have fostered a paradigm shift in our culture and now have a team of involved forward thinkers – all motivated to increase our shared bottom line.

At this year’s conference Joe Motz will be presenting examples of our first hand successes along with other progressive CEO’s and Senior Executives from all over the country. There are 17 different workshop speakers that will train on a broad spectrum of topics around the central theme of increasing accountability.

Please consider joining us for this year’s conference. It’s going to be powerful - it will not disappoint.

In the fall of 2007, Bellarmine University dedicated the $5.1 million Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on campus. Seating approximately, 2,000 this state-of-the-art facility is the home of Bellarmine’s men and women’s soccer programs, track and field, and men’s lacrosse. The artificial field surface named Joseph P. and Janet A. Clayton Field was installed by the Motz Group. It is the same “24/7” surface that can be found at the homes of the Miami Dolphins and University of Kentucky.

The track facilities include an eight-lane dual-durometer polyurethane poured surface provided by the Benyon Sport Surfaces, as well as three long jump pits, two pole vault areas, a high jump pit, and a water steeplechse pool. In May 2010 a throws area was added across Newburg Road. Installed where two throwing areas for shot put, javelin, discus, and hammer throws.

On February 20, 2010 the plaza area of the stadium was named after men’s lacrosse coach Jack McGetrick.

The plaza houses the lockerooms, concessions, and restrooms for the stadium. McGetrick started the lacrosse program at Bellarmine in 2004 and is well known throughout the lacrosse community.

CLICK HERE for the original article.

The Motz Group recently assisted Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center by donating nearly 1,000 square feet of synthetic sports turf for a special study that CCHMC is working on. “The synthetic sports turf will be going directly to schools in the Boone County School District to be used for intervention training for female soccer players”.“Females who participate in cutting and landing sports like soccer and basketball suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries at a 2 to 10-fold greater rate than males participating in the same high-risk sports” Hauer explained. “Our previous work shows that lateral knee load and trunk motion can each independently increase ACL injury risk in female athletes. The major objectives of this project are to determine how lateral trunk motion increases knee load in female athletes who are at greater risk of ACL injury and to develop exercise training programs that decrease trunk motion, knee load and ACL injury risk in these high-risk athletes.”
 
“TMG is excited about donating synthetic sports turf to assist CCHMC in the important effort to improve the health of student athletes” says Zach Burns of The Motz Group. “Cincinnati Children’s has helped so many young people in our community - including many of our employee’s kids - we jumped at the chance to be involved.”
 
The Motz Group donated a total of 819 square feet of “TMG Non-Filled Indoor Synthetic Sports Turf” and 384 square feet of a 10 mm rubber pad. 

Hauer adds “The beauty of having the synthetic sports turf is that it allows the athletes to have a more realistic and safer prevention training experience. Each piece of synthetic sports turf will have a pattern spray painted on it so that each team has consistent marking for hopping, landing, cutting maneuvers they will be learning during their training.”



The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of synthetic sports turf and natural turf systems for high school, college and professional teams.

The Motz Group has just completed a synthetic grass installation at Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Seasongood Pavilion is a popular summer spot for concerts and events in Cincinnati’s Eden Park.

The installation includes a post-industrial closed cell foam pad with roughly 2000 square feet of synthetic grass. Envirofill, produced by USGreentech, was the infill used for this gorgeous installation.

“The recent installation of synthetic grass (‘Garden Party Premium’ turf) by The Motz Group is an attractive addition to Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion. The Pavilion’s seating is set in a natural bowl shaded by scattered trees,” says Steve Schuckman of The Cincinnati Parks Board. “We rebuilt stepped seating terraces of porous concrete within this bowl shape. At the front of the seating area just below the stage, two synthetic grass panels were installed in areas that are heavily shaded. The synthetic grass panels provide a green relief to the concrete seating, walkways and stage, and they provide a place for people to enjoy performances from blankets and lawn chairs on a grass-like surface. The synthetic grass panels have the added benefit of staying green even though they are in a shaded and heavily used site where natural grass could not easily be maintained. The synthetic grass will be easy to maintain and their maintenance will also be gentler on the environment.”

The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of Synthetic Grass and Natural Grass Systems for park and recreational venues as well as high school, college and professional sports teams.

If you’d like more information about synthetic grass design or construction call Zach Burns at 513-533-6452 or email Zach at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Clinton-Massie school board voted unanimously Monday evening to award a $442,000 athletic turf construction contract to Cincinnati-based Motz Group, for construction of a new athletic turf field at the school.

This decision follows a year and a half long bidding process that began in October 2008. The Motz Group successfully submitted the lowest bid for the project at $442,900. Construction is slated to begin on May 24 and is expected to be completed by Aug. 15.

In April 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals, the National Football League and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) awarded the school district a $200,000 grant to be used toward construction of the new athletic turf field. The Clinton-Massie Athletic Booster Association (Boosters) pledged to donate $250,000 in matching funds to complete the athletic turf project.

“This has been a long process, and we’re excited to be moving forward,” said board member Jeff Borton.

The Boosters secured a $250,000 loan from National Bank & Trust to finance the athletic turf project, and more than $150,000 of private donations have been collected since 2008. In addition to those donations, the board voted Monday to approve in-kind donations totaling $25,000 in supplies and services from local businesses, including $7,500 from Melvin Stone Company.

“We have worked diligently for the last two years in order to secure this loan for the district, and to find individual donors to the athletic turf project,” said Boosters President John Curtsinger.

Curtsinger said private donations should increase substantially now that the contract for athletic turf construction has been awarded.

Zach Burns, sales and marketing director for The Motz Group, said afterward: “We’re extremely excited to be teaming up on this athletic turf project with Clinton-Massie. We’ve been impressed by how dedicated the people in this district are.”

Adapted from article on wnewsj.com by contributing writer John Cropper.

Cincinnati, Ohio – June 4, 2010 – Two local high schools, Mt. Healthy and Scott, will be playing on new synthetic home football fields this fall. The Motz Group has broken ground to install a 24/7 synthetic turf for each high school.

Using non abrasive pile fibers with a sand/rubber infill, the 24/7 Synthetic Turf System provides unmatched durability. It feels and plays just like natural grass.

Mt. Healthy High School is one of eight Fort Ancient Valley Conference schools that are already playing on a Motz Group 24/7 field. These schools include Loveland, Anderson, Kings, Turpin, Little Miami, Winton Woods and Edgewood. The Mt. Healthy Fighting Owls will be ready for their first season scrimmage against The Kings Knights on Friday, August 20.

Scott High School is joining two others – Covington Catholic and Dixie Heights – in the Northern Kentucky Athletic Division One Conference that have a 24/7 field. The Scott Eagles will host The Bellevue Tigers on Friday, September 10.

The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of Synthetic and Natural Turf Systems for high school, college and professional teams.

May 10, 2010 – Going, going, gone!

The New Richmond Lions are very excited for their baseball and softball season, and with good reason! They will be playing on their brand new softball and baseball synthetic turf systems. The Motz Group has just completed installing the new 24/7® softball and baseball synthetic turf infields. Gone are the days of delaying practices and games or having to find alternatives because of muddy infields. Gone are the exorbitant hours of preparing the field after inclement weather. Gone are the exhausting efforts and expensive costs associated with maintaining a natural infield. Gone is the need for harmful pesticides. Gone are so many issues because of the new softball and baseball synthetic turf. It’s time to PLAY BALL!

The Motz Group installed 24/7® Softball and Baseball Synthetic Turf Systems for New Richmond High School after mounting concerns that their athletic custodian was spending hours and hours getting their fields ready to play on each day. “We look forward to being able to play more of our baseball and softball schedule than what we have been able to in the past because of wet fields” says Doug Foote, Athletic Director for NRHS. “We feel the softball and baseball synthetic turf that the Motz group installed at New Richmond will be as beneficial to our school district and the community as the football synthetic turf field they put in our stadium field was. Job well done Motz Group.”

Summary: The Motz Group installed brand new softball and baseball synthetic turf systems for New Richmond High School. The decision was made to install the new softball and baseball synthetic turf to limit maintenance time and costs as well as making sure that the athletes would be able to take the field after inclement weather.

New Richmond, Ohio – May 10, 2010 – Going, going, gone! The New Richmond Lions are very excited for their baseball and softball season – with good reason! They will be playing on their brand new softball and baseball synthetic turf systems. The Motz Group has just completed installing the new 24/7® softball and baseball synthetic turf infields. Gone are the days of delaying practices and games or having to find alternatives because of muddy infields. Gone are the exorbitant hours of preparing the field after inclement weather. Gone are the exhausting efforts and expensive costs associated with maintaining a natural infield. Gone is the need for harmful pesticides. Gone are so many issues because of the new softball and baseball synthetic turf. It’s time to PLAY BALL!

The Motz Group installed 24/7® Softball and Baseball Synthetic Turf Systems for New Richmond High School after mounting concerns that their athletic custodian was spending hours and hours getting their fields ready to play on each day. “We look forward to being able to play more of our baseball and softball schedule than what we have been able to in the past because of wet fields” says Doug Foote, Athletic Director for NRHS. “We feel the softball and baseball synthetic turf that the Motz group installed at New Richmond will be as beneficial to our school district and the community as the football synthetic turf field they put in our stadium field was. Job well done Motz Group.”

24/7® delivers a stable surface and is guaranteed for long-lasting performance for sporting fields including softball and baseball synthetic turf. This system is designed for all levels of play from little league to park sporting facilities to Major League Baseball.

Tom Durbin, Superintendent for New Richmond adds “… I was amazed at the sincere and genuine concern from the (The Motz Group) workers about making sure that every detail was absolutely perfect! It was truly a pleasure to work with the Motz Group”

By playing on softball and baseball synthetic turf systems, you can
• avoid extensive maintenance costs
• avoid watering, mowing, fertilizing and applying pesticides
• provide a safe and uniform playing surface for your athletes

The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of athletic fields including softball and baseball synthetic turf as well as natural turf systems for high school, college and professional teams.

The Motz Group is excited to extend a special opportunity to our synthetic turf field owners!

The Synthetic Turf Council is holding its annual Search for the Real Field of Dreams™ contest, and The Motz Group wants its partner schools to be rewarded. This contest aims to discover why your synthetic turf field, and the story behind the synthetic turf field, is the best in America. Participating schools with the best story to tell about their synthetic turf field may win up to $2,500 for their athletic department.

The 2009 contest saw four schools with The Motz Group’s 24/7® synthetic turf field system recognized as national finalists. Oak Hills High School, Walton-Verona High School, Wyoming High School, and Zanesville High School all received national recognition on the Synthetic Turf Council’s website for their compelling field of dreams story about their synthetic turf field. The Motz Group takes great pride in the accomplishments and unique stories of our partner schools.  We hope that you will consider telling the story behind your synthetic turf field.

To enter the competition, simply enroll online or by mail by June 30, 2010. Winning synthetic turf field owners will be announced by the end of August.

Founded in 2003, the Synthetic Turf Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a resource for trustworthy information about each synthetic turf field. The Motz Group is proud to be an active member in the STC where we are recognized as a synthetic turf field Certified System Builder. Our involvement is not just limited to membership as our President, Joe Motz, recently completed his second term as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Once you enroll your synthetic turf field for the search for the Real Field of Dreams National Contest, please take a moment to visit STC’s website for synthetic turf field independent third-party information regarding many things including health and safety issues.

Best of luck! We hope your TMG synthetic turf field wins!

Please feel free to contact us at 513-533-6452 with any questions.

At the sports turf short course last week, the recipient of the “2010 Joe Motz Buckeye Sports Turf Student of the Year” was announced. The award is given in honor of sports turf entrepreneur Joe Motz, 1977 graduate of The Ohio State University.  Mr. Motz went on to build a very successful sports turf construction company based in Cincinnati Ohio, The Motz Group. In addition to his business success, Joe plays an active role in the green industry and serves in many capacities at The Ohio State University. He supports this award with a plaque and monetary gift for the student. 

The recipient in 2010 was Robbie Dworkin (left), who received his award from Zach Burns of The Motz Group. Robbie is a sports turf grass science major at The Ohio State University.  He expects to graduate later this year. His sports turf work experience has been at Columbus Crew Stadium, Great American Ballpark, The OTF Turf grass Research Facility, and OSU Athletics. He is currently the Turf Club President. 

Robbie is the epitome of “going the extra yard”, whether it’s helping out in class, working extra time to get the job done, or gathering up the students to raise money for the sports turf club. When he was working at Columbus Crew Stadium, he came after work to help with a night class when the students were renovating a local high school baseball field with sports turf. When he was interning at the Cincinnati Reds and the team was out of town, he took time to come back to Columbus and help build a sand-based field at the research plots. He didn’t expect payment or gratitude, that’s just the kind of person he is. We have no doubt that Robbie will go on to be a revered and successful sports turf manager and he’ll get involved with the sports turf industry and associations. In addition, he’ll have a “pay-it-forward” attitude with students and young professionals. In essence, Robbie loves the sports turf industry and is one of the most hard working, humble and therefore deserving people we know.



Previous recipients of the Joe Motz sports turf award include:



2009 ~ Joe Kirschner (Cincinnati Reds) & Jeff Boll (Loyola Marymount 
University - Los Angeles, California)

2008 ~ Chris Fox (Columbus Crew)

2007 ~ Russell Horn (Cleveland Browns)

2006 ~ Wes Appelfeller (Boston Red Sox)

2005 ~ Erica Titus (Nottingham Equestrian Center- Michigan) and Rodney Bockrath (OSU Intramural Sports)

It’s no secret that we’ve been hit pretty hard with Snow this winter!

Below are a few tips from The Motz Group Operations Manager Paul Schinner for removing snow from your turf field:
1. Use rubber edged plow
2. Turf tires only
3. Never spin tires on the turf
4. No sharp turns!
5. Use a tractor bucket with a pipe slit to fit over the edge

Contact Paul Schinner at 513-533-6452 for your snow removal needs!!

Cincinnati, Ohio – February 3, 2010 – Erin Richards has been hired as Office Coordinator for The Motz Group.

Erin will work in the realm of client relations, maintaining social media websites, internal company communications, bid processes and logistics, among other office responsibilities. Additionally, she will assist in the development of marketing activities including programs both on site and at client related functions.

Erin brings over fifteen years of experience including office management, training coordination, sales, marketing, personal & professional assistance. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors of Science degree.

The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of Synthetic and Natural Turf Systems for high school, college and professional teams.

For more information, contact Zach Burns at 513-533-6452.

Cincinnati, Ohio- February 3, 2010- The Motz Group announces Dan Veil as Sales and Marketing Assistant.

Dan will specifically coordinate the Synthetic Maintenance Program (SMP) for The Motz Group. In addition to his role with SMP, Dan will assist with marketing campaigns, search for and aide in the procurement process, accompany the Sales and Marketing Division on prospect visits and trade shows, as well as liaison between the office and the field installation teams.

Dan previously worked part-time with The Motz Group since July of 2007, when he worked on multiple installation crews across the region, and gained extensive knowledge on the installation and maintenance processes. Dan graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in History.

The Motz Group specializes in the design and construction of Synthetic and Natural Turf Systems for high school, college and professional teams.

For more information, contact Zach Burns at 513- 533-6452.

Over the last ten years, The Motz Group from Cincinnati have been tremendous supporters of The Ohio State University Turfgrass Science Program and they have provided over $700,000 in contributions. Motz Group President and CEO Joe Motz (left) and Senior VP Mark Heinlein are innovators in the sports turf industry. They design and build both artificial and natural grass athletic fields that have been installed worldwide at every competitive sports level. Current field installations are in the USA, South America, Brazil, Holland, Italy, Australia, and Qatar. In 2009, they will design and build 18 new fields. Both Joe and Mark are Ohio State graduates that put great emphasis on research and technology. They have funded research over the years on many of their products, including the PAT system, high-gravity drainage system, TS-ll natural grass stabilizer, and most recently the 24/7 synthetic turf surface. This summer, they installed a synthetic turf research trial at our turfgrass research facility that will be part of a comprehensive study looking at alternative infill materials. In addition to their field construction business, both Joe and Mark are heavily involved in the turfgrass and synthetic turf industries. Joe was President of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation in 1991 and presently serves on the board of the Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust. He is currently Chairman of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC). In addition, Joe is a Presidents Club member at Ohio State and he serves on the advisory committee for the College of Agriculture. He also sponsors the annual Buckeye Sports Turf Student of the Year award. Mark was President of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation in 2002 and presently serves on the OTF trade show committee. He serves on the STC Ethics Committee and is a member of the review board for ASTM, overseeing specifications for sports fields. He is also a Presidents Club member at Ohio State.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Greg Norman paid special attention to Super Bowl XXXIII, as he was looking for the best for both teams. PGA TOUR all-time leading money earner Greg Norman played a key role in the development of a hybrid Bermuda grass, named GN-1, used in Miami’s Pro Player Stadium for this year’s Super Bowl.

How well did Greg’s grass perform? NFL Vice President of Special Events, Jim Steeg, reported, “The grass (GN-1) performed so well we could play the game again today! And it looked great”. Steeg added that to him, the players’ and coaches’ overall reaction was a high compliment to the grass, and further commented, “It met, and in fact exceeded, our expectations. I would absolutely use it again”.

The Greg Norman Turf Company is an industry leader in the development, marketing, and distribution of specialty turf grass. It’s patented GN-1, a hybrid Bermuda grass from Australia, is used in numerous golf courses and stadiums. GN-1’s special characteristics are a darker green color, better cold tolerance, and less thatching. The NFL Player’s Association recently released a survey awarding its top four out of five playing fields to stadiums with GN-1 grass.

For the Super Bowl, GN-1 was incorporated into a “stabilized turf”. It is grown on a shag-like carpet fabric made of natural and synthetic fibers about 1 1/2 inches long. The shag is filled with sand, and the grass is grown on top of this “carpet”, giving it the feel of real turf with the strength of artificial. Developed by The Motz Group of Cincinnati, an athletic field designer/builder, it is called “Motz Stabilized Turf”.

Playing a winning game is Norman’s quest, whether on the fairway or with his many business developments. Speaking from the Greg Norman Holden International in Australia, Greg commented, “We’ve been working with the NFL and The Motz Group on using GN-1, and we’re happy to see the great results of our efforts. I am proud to hear that GN-1 is becoming a standard for the athletic industry - from Atlanta’s Turner Field to the Baltimore Raven’s stadium - and now Super Bowl XXXIII!”

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The market was just as challenging as the environment. However, for HG Turf, 2007 will be remembered as the year when they saw an opportunity and diversified into selling synthetic turf as well as natural turf to the domestic, commercial and sports turf markets. A real sign of the times for a turf grower. On the flip side, 2007 was a successful year for HG Turf’s stadium business.

Telstra Dome’s playing surface finally met expectations in 2007. HG Turf believes the design of its Motz Stabilized Turf product played a significant part in this success. Motz Stabilized Turf holds the playing surface together when the turf plant weakens from repeated use and less than ideal growing conditions. Telstra Dome had its best year yet, replacing only 9,000m2 of turf. Interestingly, at its inception, advisers to the stadium forecast turf replacement of 10,000m2 per annum. The notion of replacing “more turf - more often” is certainly not the answer for Telstra Dome, the answer lies in having the right product and the right maintenance program both in the stadium and on the farm. Hence artificial lighting is a major step in the right direction for the stadium. HG’s Mathew Woolfe and Bradley Kidd, Andrew Peart from AGCSA and Jerry Spencer from Endeavour Turf Products deserve congratulations for their persistence in getting the product right for Telstra Dome’s difficult conditions.

The MCG had its 8th consecutive year boasting a playing field of Motz Stabilised Turf supplied by HG Turf. The entire playing surface at the MCG is Motz Stabilized Turf. It was first installed for the Olympic Soccer Tournament in 2000 and then again during the redevelopment of the MCG in 2004 and 2005 and then again for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Motz Stabilized Turf is the MCG’s preferred turf replacement system and it continues to be so with forward orders into 2009. Motz Stabilized Turf has contributed to the improved performance and appearance of the playing surface at the MCG and will continue to do so with ongoing product research and development being undertaken with HG Turf and The Motz Group in the USA.

ANZ Stadium (formerly Telstra Stadium / Stadium Australia) in Sydney was another stadium to rely on HG Turf throughout 2007. ANZ Stadium decided on Motz Stabilized Turf for their unique mid-season turf replacement requirements, and since 2005 Motz Stabilised Turf has progressively been introduced across the entire rugby playing surface. For each AFL fixture the lower seating is retracted to change the field from a rectangular field suited to rugby and soccer into an oval field suited to AFL. Prior to AFL being played the footings under each retracted stand must be covered with turf to complete the AFL playing surface. Motz Stabilized Turf has streamlined this process enabling the turf to be installed overnight before the AFL fixture and then removed the following night for rugby. Motz Stabilized Turf is not discarded after each AFL match, it is retuned to the farm and then reused over a 2 year period (typically 8 AFL fixtures). Stadium Australia first used Motz Stabilized Turf for the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Across the ditch, HG Turf was awarded its second field reconstruction contract in New Zealand, at AMI Stadium (formerly Jade Stadium) in Christchurch. HG Turf planted a nursery of Motz Stabilized Turf in 2007 which is currently maturing for installation after HG Turf rebuilds the playing field in late 2008. HG Turf also continues to work with Eden Park in Auckland supplying Motz Stabilized Turf for their redevelopment works for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. HG Turf excavated and rebuilt the Eden Park field in 2003.

Late in 2007 HG Turf was commissioned by the Australian Institute of Sport to strip two cool season grass sports fields and plant them with CT2 couch grass. HG Turf’s team was headed by Mathew Woolfe and the HG works methodology enabled the couch fields to grow-in within 4 weeks of planting. In Canberra CT2 couch grass has performed well in Canberra Stadium (also a Motz Stabilized Turf field) and it is also performing well for ANZ Stadium in Sydney. HG Turf has a five year turf supply contract with Canberra Stadium. The playing surface at Canberra Stadium was first installed with Motz Stabilized Turf for the 2000 Olympic Soccer tournament.

To round out the year HG Turf rebuilt and turfed the main oval at Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne. Again Mathew Woolfe led the project team and 22,000m2 of CT2 couch grass was installed prior to Christmas. The grow-in has proceeded to plan and the school is elated to have a first class couch field for cricket and football. HG Turf in conjunction with Sports Turf Consultants is providing on-going support and recently completed a renovation of the new couch field.

For more information visit hgturf.com.au

 

CINCINNATI, OH — Joseph Motz, president and CEO of Cincinnati-based The Motz Group, Inc., was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) during their Annual Membership Meeting in Orlando, Florida on November 27 - November 28.  Founded in 2003, STC serves as an objective resource assisting buyers and end users with the selection, use, and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf and landscape applications throughout North America and abroad. Motz’s appointment to Chairman of the Board recognizes his leadership position within the industry overall.

“The Board sets the strategic direction of the organization,” notes Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Considering the dramatic changes that our industry is currently experiencing, Joe Motz will play a critical role in guiding the growth and influence of the Council.”

The Motz Group designs and constructs high-quality playing fields at every competitive sports level. Founded in 1978, the company has produced natural or synthetic athletic fields for more than fifty local schools, including St. Xavier and Anderson, winners of the Ohio High School D-I and D-II football championships, respectively, in 2007. Collegiate and professional clients include Ohio State, University of Texas, University of Virginia, Georgia Tech University, the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Dolphins, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I am thrilled to lead the STC’s board during this incredibly dynamic period in our industry’s history,” said Joe Motz. “The Motz Group is proud to be the synthetic turf international leader in sports field design, field turf construction and management. Our team-building approach at the corporate level lends itself to excellence, and I will apply that same principle to leading the STC Board of Directors.”

Demand for synthetic turf fields has escalated over the past few years, with over 800 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields being installed annually in North America in schools, colleges, parks and professional sports stadiums. As the need for durable playing fields continues to escalate, synthetic turf has become an increasingly popular solution to enhance athletic performance, deal with the issue of limited space, address climatic challenges, and allow for multiple sports teams to practice and play on a grass-like surface.

For more information on the Synthetic Turf Council, please visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

By Ron Jackson
Staff Writer, Dayton Daily News

GERMANTOWN — You could call it “Turf Wars.”

And it’s heating up as more and more schools in the Dayton area are installing expensive synthetic surfaces.

Valley View High School unveils its new-age turf tonight in the Spartans’ football opener against Thurgood Marshall (formerly Colonel White) at Barker Field in Germantown. Franklin and Springboro will take to their new turf for the first time on Sept. 7.

The turf at all three venues is called 24/7 and was purchased from The Motz Group in Cincinnati. It is designed to cushion the players and provide stability, and is guaranteed to take on foot traffic 24 hours a day.

The Franklin (Atrium Medical Center) and Springboro (Miami Valley Hospital) efforts were bolstered by selling naming rights. Valley View took a different route.

Valley View’s christening is the culmination of a nine-month-long project. The state-of-the-art surface adds to the school’s mystique (state football titles in 1994, ‘96 and ‘97).

The surface at Valley View costs $542,000. The “Field of Pride” project is $100,000 shy of meeting its financial goal. The Valley view Board of Education committed $100,000 and the athletic boosters pledged $100,000 while the rest is coming from private donors and pledges.

“We feel very fortunate to have a community that supports us and provides us with this awesome turf,” Spartans quarterback Luke Donson said. “It’s definitely motivational stepping on this field and it fires us up for the season.”

His father, Greg, vice president of the Valley View Athletic Boosters, did a lot of research before his organization settled on The Motz Group, which also installed artificial turf at Franklin and Springboro this year. Price tag: $542,000.

“It developed into a neat little rivalry with Franklin once we heard that they were planning on installing turf,” Greg Donson said with a smile. “We said in our meetings that ‘We have to get ours done first’ — in a good-natured way.

“It’s been a collaboration of efforts to make this a reality — the administration, the school board, communities (Germantown and Farmersville) and the athletes.”

Schools don’t have to worry about the three M’s — maintenance, mowing and mud.

Said Boro athletic director Steve Castator: “We were able to have uninterrupted football practice this week after the rain by having it on the turf. That’s another advantage.”

Franklin has joined the ‘sports arms race’ with a $1.2 million renovation of its stadium, now called Veterans Memorial Field at Atrium Stadium.

“The turf and the improvements have created so much excitement,” said Franklin athletic director and football coach Rodney Roberts. “It’s something we’re proud of and our student-athletes deserve.”

Original article can be found here

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The makeover in Tucker Stadium is complete. The installation of the new turf on the football field and the renovation of the running track are finished, and the track is ready for use by the public.
 
Beginning Monday, June 25, the new track will be available to the public for walking or running, according the Ben Shannon, director of facilities and events. The football field, however, will not be open to the public.

“This is a wonderful new facility, and we’re proud to share use of the track with the public,” Shannon said. “We just ask that everyone treat this enhanced facility with respect and follow the guidelines so it will remain nice for many years. One of the most important guidelines is that hard-soled shoes are not allowed.
 
“We also want to remind everyone that public is not allowed to use the field,” he added. Use of the field is limited to Tennessee Tech athletics and other events approved in advance by the University.
 
“TTU Athletics and the University have a major investment in this new turf, and it will have to last many years,” Shannon said. “NCAA guidelines and the makeup of the turn require us to carefully monitor how the field is used and by whom.”
 
Shannon announced a list of guidelines for using the track, which will be open each day from 6 a.m. until dusk. Public access to the track will be through the turnstile gate at the Southwest corner of the field.  The following are guidelines for public use:

- No wheels (including skates, strollers, bicycles, etc.)
- No tobacco products (no smoking or chewing tobacco)
- No pets
- No glass containers
- No drinks except water
- No food, gum or sunflower seeds
- No hard sole shoes
- ABSOLUTELY no one allowed on the turf

“We have always had a wonderful, mutually beneficial relationship with our community, and we hope to keep it that way,” Shannon added. “We’re proud of these enhanced facilities, and we think everyone else will be as well.”
 
The first event scheduled for the new football field is Tech’s home opening football game on Thursday, Sept. 6, when new head coach Watson Brown and the Golden Eagles face Cumberland University at 7 p.m.
 
Season tickets are on sale for the six-game 2007 Golden Eagle home campaign. Tickets are on sale at the athletics ticket office in Eblen Center, or by calling (931) 372-3940.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

“We are pleased that The Motz Group is committed to using our Thiolon yarns exclusively in their synthetic sports turf products,” said Heard Smith, Group Director for TenCate Grass. “We share a similar corporate philosophy of quality and integrity with them and are excited to be teamed up together.”

The Motz Group has selected Thiolon XP Pro from TenCate Grass North America as the exclusive fiber to be used in their 24/7® synthetic turf systems. “We have used other fibers in the past and are aware of the different yarns being sold in the industry today,” said Joe Motz, president of The Motz Group. “In our opinion, no other manufacturer can match the quality of Thiolon fibers, and this new partnership will help us continue to provide our customers with the best innovation and customer service from start to finish.”

TMG recently installed Thiolon XP Pro, their product of choice for synthetic turf sports fields, for the Miami Dolphins in their new indoor facility in early 2007. The Dolphins were the first NFL team to use the fiber.

“The XP Pro stands up to wear and always looks fantastic. We toured the facility with NFL representatives and more than 20 head groundskeepers from the NFL and Major Leagues as part of our Super Bowl preparations for hosting the AFC Champions Indianapolis Colts. We got rave comments from the entire group. We couldn’t be happier’” said Alan Sigwardt, Dolphins Stadium director of engineering and grounds.

In addition to recently installing synthetic turf for the Miami Dolphins, TMG’s work can be seen internationally in Australia, Europe, Qatar for the Asian Games Stadium and throughout the Tri-State.  TMG is a team of committed professionals that lead the industry in athletic playing fields.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

It may be akin to “preaching to the choir” but we here at SportsTurf would be remiss if we didn’t recognize and publicize the great job Ed Mangan, George Toma, Alan Sigwardt, and their crew did in handling the turf for this year’s Super Bowl in Miami.

Not only did these turf professionals have to deal with the “normal” Super Bowl, a.k.a. “The Biggest Game in the World” (apologies to World Cup fans but this IS the USA we’re talkin’ about!), routine - hours and hours on the field of rehearsal time for pre-game and halftime festivities, but did you notice that steady rain throughout the game?

Luckily the players’ skills weren’t at all diminished by the conditions [insert joke here about “What skills?” when referring to Chicago QB Rex Grossman]. “About as bad of weather as you could throw the ball in,” Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning was quoted as saying afterward. And, “I was thinking, ‘Has there ever been more rain in any game I’ve been in?’” from Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy. Did anyone see one splash, one slip, one divot, anything at all about the playing surface that affected any action in the Big Game? Right, neither did we.

And that’s the point. Most Americans and millions of other earthlings watched a football game, played in a Florida downpour, and 99% of them didn’t realize the field was perfect. It didn’t enter their minds and THAT’S HOW IT SHOULD BE.

Meanwhile, you readers of this magazine were probably the only ones bragging to your fellow Super Bowl partygoers, “Look at that field!” What could have been a better advertisement for the wonders of natural grass?

“We put more water on the field the day before the game than fell on it during the game,” NFL Field Director Mangan told us. “You have to keep these sand-based fields moist or they will fall apart on you.”

“All the Super Bowls (he’s done 17 now) are challenging in one way or the other; this is the first one where we’ve had rain on game day, but you have to prepare for the worst and hopefully get the best,” said Mangan.

“The PAT system (Prescription Athletic Turf, can drain up to 3 in. of rainfall per hour) provides such great drainage, combined with some great turf on top of it, grown in a sand profile that perks real well, well, we had a great field,” Mangan said. “And that bermudagrass can hold a lot of water.”

As for the indefatigable, 78-year-old Toma, who’s been involved in prepping the turf for all 41 Super Bowls, he called the sod for #41 “The second greatest sod I’ve ever seen. After 48 hours of rehearsals, the only thing that was going to hurt that grass was fire,” he told us.

Toma credited sod farmer “Eddie Boy” Woerner from Southern Turf Nurseries with growing the “Super” sod. He said Woerner’s turf is grown on a sheet of plastic and will hold up under any conditions and in any part of the country. The turf was trucked in from farms in nearby Indiantown, FL and Tifton, GA and put down in 7-foot wide, 41-foot long strips, said Toma, and the whole field was done in 6 hours.

Toma told us the greatest sod he’s ever seen was a paspalum variety Woerner grew on plastic for a 1999 game in the Superdome.

Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, sports fields district sales manager for Toro, who provided equipment for this year’s field preparation, said, “The Super Bowl field was a testament to the fact that properly maintained natural turf can withstand the extreme conditions of practice, play, and weather. The sod used on the playing surface had an outstanding structure and thickness that provided the athletes with the footing and traction needed to perform at the highest level. The quality of the playing surface that Ed, George, and the turf crew provided was the true winner of this year’s Super Bowl.”

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Lackawanna County hired the Cincinnati-based company to install a new playing surface at PNC Field, formerly Lackawanna County Stadium, in time for the inaugural Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (SWB) Yankees home opener on April 5th.

The move from artificial turf to natural grass is one of many changes for this triple-A baseball franchise. The new Yankees affiliation and management team as well as the stadium facelift and renaming mark “a new era,” according to County Commissioner Robert Cordaro.

PNC Stadium features The Motz Group’s specially engineered High Performance Gravity® Natural Turf System. The playing surface is a sand-based bluegrass identical to that at Yankee Stadium which will help ease the transition for players moving to the majors. “It looks better; it smells better; it feels more like baseball,” said Cordaro.

SWB Yankees Executive Vice President Jeremy Ruby agreed. “I can’t believe how beautiful everything looks, especially considering the rough weather we’ve had,” he said. “It’s incredible, with two major snowstorms, to have this brand new field. It’s an amazing achievement; I’m not sure any other group could have pulled it off.”

The Motz Group’s reputation for handling adverse conditions and meeting tight timelines is among the reasons the county awarded them the project, according to Cordaro. “They passed muster with the Yankees in terms of their abilities and understanding of the project,” he said.  “This is a team. They’ve been known to put surfaces down the night before an event. We knew their expertise would reduce any margin for error.”

The Motz Group bid on the project at the suggestion of Richard W. Neumann, Cincinnati native and Vice President of Development for California-based Mandalay Baseball Properties, the club’s management group. Neumann had worked with The Motz Group 15 years prior while an Athletic Director at Anderson High School in suburban Cincinnati. “They transformed Anderson’s field from one of the worst in the city to one of the nicest,” he said. Neumann had also followed the company’s conversion of the former Cinergy Field to natural turf in 2001.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

After nearly a year-long preparation, The Motz Group will have less than 48 hours to demonstrate speed and agility at the 15th Annual Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

The company is sending its team on Friday, December 1st to participate in the 2006 Games, not as competitors or spectators, but as turf experts. The Motz team will quickly transform the Khalifa Stadium ground into a sure-footed playing field. Following the opening ceremony, they will install turf that has been growing in a Doha nursery since early in the year. Work is scheduled to begin early Monday morning and be completed in time for Wednesday’s athletic competitions.

The Motz Group will install their Synthetically Stabilized Turf® know as TSII® in Sheikh Khalifa Stadium. TSII is a hybrid turf combining natural grass with a synthetic stabilization fiber. Its wearability and immediate playability are the reasons why TSII hybrid turf is found in leading venues around the world.

Athletes from more than 45 countries and regions will compete in 39 sports during the 2006 Asian Games. Visit www.dohaasiangames.org for more information.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Motz Group recently rolled out its latest generation of artificial turf at the Dolphins’ new state-of-the-art indoor practice facility in Davie, Fla. According to Bryan Wiedmeier, president, Miami Dolphins’, Ltd., the project is further evidence of the Dolphins’ dedication to lead the NFL in providing the best possible facilities and training practices for their athletes.

The 96,600 square-foot air-supported “bubble” – the first of its kind in South Florida - includes a regulation football field featuring the company’s premium 24/7™ synthetic turf. It is made with TC Thiolon’s new XP Pro yarn that resists splitting and offers enhanced wear ability. A blended infill consisting of 75% rubber and 25% sand provides a firm-playing surface, while an underlying rubber elastic layer improves performance and safety. The inlaid markings duplicate those on the Dolphin Stadium game-day field.

“The field looks terrific,” said Brad Pritchard, superintendent for Stiles Corporation of Ft. Lauderdale, general contractor for the facility. He attributes the successful field completion to Motz executives’ rare hands-on approach. “Not only did they do everything possible to ensure we met our tight three-week timeline, they always took responsibility and personally supervised the installation.”

The Motz Group has a 20-year history of installing premium quality turf products in the United States and abroad. “They are detail-oriented and stand behind their work,” said Alan Sigwardt, senior director of grounds and engineering for Dolphin Stadium.
“Working with The Motz Group was an easy decision for us.”

The Motz Group is recognized internationally for the design and construction of artificial and natural turf athletic fields. The company is located in Newtown, Ohio.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Todd Murgatroyd, Athletic Director and Head Foodball Coach of Urbana University, selected The Motz Group from Cincinnati, OH as general contractor for the new multi-purpose stadium construction. It will feature a state-of-the-art foodball field made of The Motz Group’s premium artificial turf product called Twenty-Four/Seven, perfect for the high-traffic use Urbana University is expecting when they unveil their new stadium next year.

The construction is underway and the field is on-schedule to be completed by July, 2006. “The new stadium will improve our student retention for football and soccer. It will give the student body a great deal of pride to watch football and soccer games at a first-class facility,” Coach Murgatroyd said. “It gives the assistant coaches an even playing field in the recruiting process.” Joe Motz, CEO of The Motz Group, stated, “We are very pleased to be leading this effort and are confident the stadium will exceed Urbana University’s expectations.” The Motz Group has been installing premium quality turf products for almost 20 years in the domestic US and abroad.

Todd Murgatroyd noted that after 20 years of Urbana University’s football program, “every player, every alumni and every coach who has been at Urbana University can take pride that they will finally have a home in the Fall 2006.”

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)