by Larry EderIn the early 1990s, I remember a coach friend who, in order to save some money and get a new track a few years earlier than was budgeted, went with a discount track surfacer. Within months, the lanes six and seven rolled up like a roll of cinnamon rolls.
In a panic, I called ASBA and spoke to Mary Helen Sprecher, who I now call Track Surfacing Editorial Goddess. MHS helped me learn about how track should be decided, resources on surfacing, resurfacing and the importance of a group like the American Sports Builders.
I am at their 49th annual meeting, in Jacksonville, Florida. On the last night of the event, a sumptuous dinner is served and several media organizations, one representing tennis (Tennis Industry), one representing Fields (SportsField Management Magazine) and one representing Tracks (Larry Eder, with Foritus Media Group) give out awards to the best facilities in the land.
After coming to these events since 1992, I heartily and robustly encourage any A.D. or coach to contact the ASBA at [email protected], and check out the site at www.sportsbuilders.org.
Track & Field Facility of the YearRay Treacy Track at Hendricken Field, Providence College, Providence, RINew construction: R.A.D Sports, Rockland, MA
ASBA Honors Distinguished Sports Facilities
Forest Hill, MD – The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, has announced the winners of its annual awards. Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.Awards are presented in various categories: Tennis Courts, Running Tracks, Sports Fields, Indoor Facilities and Track and Field Facilities. Within some categories, there are divisions; for example, the Tennis Court category recognizes facilities in Indoor, Residential and Outdoor divisions.Presentation of award plaques was made at the Technical Meeting, recently held in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and overall impression. Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.Winning projects are as follows:Distinguished Field FacilitiesSingle Field FacilitiesAirport High School, West Columbia, SCUpgrade: Medallion Athletic Products, Inc., Mooresville, NCEndeavor Stadium at Cumberland High School, Cumberland, WINew construction: Rettler Corporation, Stevens Point, WIBavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WIUpgrade: Rettler Corporation, Stevens Point, WIGoelz Field, Ashwaubenon, WIUpgrade: Rettler Corporation, Stevens Point, WICris Carter Community Field at Barnitz Stadium, Middletown, OHUpgrade: Sportworks Field Design, West Chester, OHDiane C. Nordin ’80 Athletic Field at Wheaton College, Norton, MANew construction: Activitas, Inc., Dedham, MA)Dover High School-Crater Stadium, Dover, OHUpgrade: Vasco Sports Contractors, Massillon, OHDr. Christine H.B. Grant Hockey Field, Iowa City, IAUpgrade: Astroturf, LLC, Dalton, GAFlorida State University-Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Facility-Indoor Practice Field, Tallahassee, FL
New construction: Nidy Sports Construction Co., Inc., Sanford, FLGrandville Public Schools Football Field, Grandville, MIUpgrade: GMB Architecture + Engineering, Holland, MIHudsonville Public Schools Football Field, Hudsonville, MIUpgrade: GMB Architecture + Engineering, Holland, MILas Cruces Public Schools Field of Dreams, Las Cruces, NMUpgrade: Robert Cohen Co., LLC, Albuquerque, NMScott Field at Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MSUpgrade: Holcombe Norton Partners, Inc., Birmingham, ALStagg High School Athletic Facility, Stockton, CAUpgrade: Verde Design, Inc., Folsom, CAOrange High School, Pepper Pike, OHUpgrade: The Motz Group, LLC, Cincinnati, OHXaverian Brothers High School, Westwood, MAUpgrade: Activitas, Inc., Dedham, MAMultiple-Field FacilitiesAntioch Community Park, Antioch, CAUpgrade: Beals Alliance, Inc., Rancho Murieta, CABrown University Field Hockey Stadium and Stevenson Field Renovations, Providence, RIUpgrade: Gale Associates, Inc., Weymouth, MATaylor Field at Lasell College, Newton, MAUpgrade: Activitas, Inc., Dedham, MA
ade: Gale Associates, Inc., Weymouth, MAUniversity of Oregon Football Practice & Training Facility, Eugene, ORNew construction: Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning, Eugene, ORHoy Field & Softball Complex, Gallaudet University, Washington, DCNew construction: Sasaki Associates, Inc., Watertown, MADistinguished Track FacilitiesHornet Stadium Track at Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CAUpgrade: Robert Cohen Co., LLC, Albuquerque, NMSpringfield College-Blake Track, Springfield, MAUpgrade: Cape & Island Tennis & Track, Pocassett, MAWest Valley Central Sports Complex, Stuart, IANew construction: Fisher Tracks, Inc., Boone, IADistinguished Track & Field FacilitiesRay Treacy Track at Hendricken Field, Providence College, Providence, RINew construction: R.A.D Sports, Rockland, MA
e: Robert Cohen Co., LLC, Albuquerque, NMTrack & Field Facility of the YearRay Treacy Track at Hendricken Field, Providence College, Providence, RINew construction: R.A.D Sports, Rockland, MAThe ASBA is a non-profit association helping designers, builders, owners, operators and users understand quality sports facility construction. The ASBA sponsors informative meetings, publishes newsletters, books and technical construction guidelines for both tennis courts and running tracks, and keeps its members aware of the latest developments in the industry. It also offers voluntary certification programs in tennis court, running track and sports fields construction.Available at no charge is a listing of all publications offered by the Association, as well as the ASBA’s Membership Directory. For information on the ASBA, as well as on its publications, activities and upcoming meetings, please contact the Association at 9 Newport Drive, Suite 200, Forest Hill, MD 21050. The toll-free phone number is 866-501-ASBA, the local number is 410-730-9595, and the fax number is 410-730-8833. The ASBA also may be reached electronically via its website: www.sportsbuilders.org, or via e-mail at [email protected].
