by Shane Henson — June 10, 2013—Athletes at Oklahoma State University (OSU) will soon be able to train on a new artificial surface installed by AstroTurf at the nearly completed Sherman E. Smith Training Center on the school’s Stillwater campus.
The Sherman E. Smith Training Center is a multipurpose training complex that incorporates three outdoor practice fields and one indoor artificial playing surface. Two of the outdoor fields will be natural grass, and AstroTurf will install synthetic turf for the third outdoor field as well as the indoor surface.
Construction began on the project in the summer of 2011, and when the center opens its doors this fall it will immediately rank as one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere in the collegiate landscape, Astroturf claims. Eschewing the more common approaches of domes, inflatable “bubble” enclosures, or hangar-like structures, the Smith Center will blend seamlessly with the rest of the OSU campus and its modified Georgian architectural theme. The university aims at developing a modern training facility that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.
The synthesis of aesthetics and functionality can also be found in AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass 3D Xtreme turf system that was chosen for the training center. In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, says AstroTurf.
The field combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product. The Horseshoe fiber has an Omega shape, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer, says the company. It also reflects less light and heat. The slit film offers the ultimate in durability. It is reportedly not uncommon for these fields to withstand several years’ worth of use and still hold true to form. The 3D Xtreme product will be used for both the 77,000-square-foot indoor field and the 87,000-square foot outdoor practice field.
According to the company, the product is also very safe to play on. A study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf 3D systems perform most like natural grass in terms of the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. The company says that these results are due in no small part to AstroTurf’s proprietary technology, the RootZone.
The RootZone is a thatch layer of textured nylon that stabilizes the rubber infill and prevents the deep cleat penetration that can lead to some unfortunate injuries. With the ever-increasing focus on safety and player health permeating football’s cultural climate from Pop Warner to the pros, engineering for safety has taken on increased significance for the team at AstroTurf.
