The company that invented the artificial turf industry continues to dominate the Division 1 Field Hockey market with three new installations at Big Ten Conference schools. AstroTurf® installed durable, fast-playing turf systems at Ohio State, Iowa, and Michigan State, setting up all three field hockey teams for a fantastic 2022 season.
Over the summer, the Ohio State Buckeyes got a new turf as well as a new press box and videoboard. This Big Ten team has won three conference regular-season championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament seven times. Buckeye Varsity Field will also host the 2022 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament in November.
The University of Iowa chose AstroTurf® for the upgrade at the Dr. Christine H.B. Grant Field, which was named after the former athletics director at Iowa and life-long advocate for gender equity in athletics, Christine Grant. Iowa is the reigning Big Ten champion, and the program has a reputation for being one of the best in the country. The Hawkeyes have won 13 Big Ten conference championships and six conference titles. They can also boast a 40-home-game winning streak.
Michigan State University is another powerhouse Division 1 team. The Spartans have won four Big Ten regular-season championships and four conference tournament titles. They’ve also played in the NCAA Field Hockey tournament a total of nine times from 2001 to 2013.
All three schools opted for the AstroTurf® 12 System 90 field hockey turf product. AstroTurf® 12 is a premium playing surface used at elite schools – it’s also the original field hockey carpet AstroTurf® created. The reason this turf system is so coveted is it uses knitted nylon fibers, which are more durable and stable than tufted fibers. Knitted nylon turf is also great for enhancing ball speed and playability.
Thanks to the nylon construction, it’s also a hydrophilic playing surface. The field holds onto water naturally, so, even after periods of rain, the athletes can still count on a consistent, safe playing surface that enhances the ball speed and lowers the ball bounce.
All three athletic programs have a stone base with porous asphalt. The asphalt base under the AstroTurf System 90 provides a firm feel underfoot, playing to a consistent ball roll for field hockey performance.
“Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan State are three powerhouse teams,” said Melissa Vassalotti Twist, AstroTurf’s Director of Field Hockey. “These programs are and have been top-notch programs for quite some time.
“To have three BIG Ten hockey programs all choose the AstroTurf® System 90 for their hockey field speaks volumes. We recognize the trust these coaches, players, and athletic departments put in AstroTurf to install world class fields and we are pleased to be able to deliver on this.”
The Ohio Buckeyes, led by Jarred Martin, are 3-0 on the season since installing their new AstroTurf field, with the latest ranking at 19th in the NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll.
“We are enjoying a fantastic new surface from AstroTurf here at Ohio State as we kick off the 2022 season, said Martin. “The quality, the design, and the install were all first class and we couldn’t be happier to partner with AstroTurf. They have helped sharpen the look of our field hockey stadium at Buckeye Varsity Field and we will enjoy it very much in the coming years.”
Led by long-time coach Lisa Cellucci, the Iowa Hawkeyes are undefeated at home on their new AstroTurf field with a current record of 3-1. The Hawkeyes are currently ranked 6th in the NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll.
The Michigan State Spartans are led by Helen Knull. They are 3-1 on the season with impressive performances to open up the season at home. Their schedule shines with two consecutive upcoming games to show off their new AstroTurf field.
About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sports enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, multi-sport, and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s website at www.astroturf.com.