Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in scenic Provo, Utah, the beautiful campus of Brigham Young University is known for its impeccably maintained landscape. It should come as no surprise, then, that the school's facilities management team chose AstroTurf for the new artificial surface at the football practice field, replacing the existing FieldTurf surface.  A local certified installation contractor, Condor Turf, handled the project, which was completed on June 7th.

The new synthetic turf field is a customized version of AstroTurf's GameDay Grass 3D 52 Xtreme. The premium product incorporates several features which translate into high marks across a wide spectrum of evaluation categories, including performance, durability, consistency, aesthetics and safety.

With the ever-increasing focus on safety and player health permeating football's cultural climate from Pop Warner to the pros, selecting a synthetic turf product with viable injury prevention safeguards has become paramount.

In a recent study published by Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, AstroTurf's GameDay Grass performed closest to natural grass and demonstrated the lowest torque output of any synthetic product measured. That result was due in no small part to AstroTurf's proprietary RootZone technology, an infill stabilization system which is composed of a thatch layer of textured nylon running just underneath the polyethylene fibers throughout the field.

By preventing splash and migration of the loose rubber infill particles and thus maintaining a uniform and consistent surface, the RootZone promotes a more natural biomechanical function of cleat penetration and release. In addition, GameDay Grass surfaces with RootZone technology prevent the deep cleat penetration seen in other heavily infilled surfaces which can lead to so many lower extremity injuries.

"Here at AstroTurf, our dedication to safety as a vital component of the products we create is unparalleled," said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf. "We're excited to have the Cougars practice on our playing surface, which is considered to be the finest synthetic surface in the world."

BYU is no stranger to studies on artificial grass surfaces, having conducted one of their own in 2002 on synthetic surface heat following the installation of a FieldTurf surface at the football practice fields.  Significantly, the newest custom practice field includes AstroTurf's AstroFlect technology, which reduces surface temperature when compared to typical synthetic turf.

The chemistry behind AstroFlect lowers fiber "emissivity", which allows the fibers of the surface to reflect infrared light and dissipate heat into the atmosphere instead of being absorbed by the turf. In addition, AstroTurf supplied a green-coated SBR rubber infill for the new field. The green-colored infill absorbs less heat than the traditional black rubber infill.

Green SBR, especially in combination with the AstroFlect technology, effectively reduces field temperatures, without the disadvantages of certain organic infill materials like cork and coconut husks which are sometimes heralded as effective heat reducing agents.  Cork tends to migrate, float, and even rot on the field, while green SBR offers trusted performance.

The new 97,000 ft² artificial playing surface will include lining for soccer and lacrosse, but its primary designation will be as a football practice field. A thick rubber shock pad was installed under the turf, called an E-Layer, which is a great safety-enhancer.

About AstroTurf

For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry's first vertically integrated manufacturing system. 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.