Posts filed under 'Coach of the Year'
Sportexe Construction Services, Inc. and ACT Global Sports announced the formation of a partnership for synthetic turf production. Each company will be contributing equipment and technology to the partnership. Capital improvements are also being made to house these new manufacturing operations within the existing Sportexe operations center. Sportexe’s equipment contributions are being financed through its recently announced banking relationship with Wells Fargo.
“We are very pleased to continue to expand our investments in the synthetic turf market. Through our partnership with ACT Global Sports, we are creating a state-of-the-art manufacturing and research center,” Stephen Noe, CEO of Sportexe said. “While pleased with our current tufting provider, this new partnership will provide us with greater flexibility in our product development and allow us to interact more closely with all our vendors in the supply chain. With this move, we see tremendous opportunity to be more strategically positioned as one of only a few turf installation companies that have control over their turf production. Additionally, this demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver a superior sporting experience and tangible value to our customers.”
ACT Global Sports Managing Director John Baize is equally happy with the agreement. “We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Sportexe,” Baize said. “We are making significant manufacturing investments in the North American market, so it is valuable to find a partner with such a high reputation for building excellent sports fields.”
Sportexe is one of North America’s largest installers of artificial turf surfaces for recreational and athletic facilities. Sportexe fields are used by The Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49’ers and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. More than 200 Sportexe fields have been installed at NCAA, NAIA and high school facilities from coast-to-coast. Sportexe is owned by Insight Equity, a Dallas based private equity firm.
ACT Global Sports brings its international reputation and manufacturing expertise to the partnership. While ACT Global Sports is headquartered in Austin, TX, it has regional locations in The Netherlands, Cyprus, Hong Kong and China. The company is one of the largest international artificial turf manufacturers and has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality-certifications.
Continue Reading March 11th, 2008
National Football Coaching Insider to Present af2’s top coaching honor at ArenaCup8
ROUND ROCK, Texas. August 23, 2007—After spending the past two years removed from his home state following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Northwest Louisiana native and national football-coaching insider Aaron S. Lee returns to both football and the Ark-La-Tex to present the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award during halftime of ArenaCup8, presented by Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, which will be played Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8pm ET at Bossier City’s CenturyTel Center and televised nationally on Comcast for the second year in a row.
Lee, a graduate of Minden High School 30 miles east of Shreveport now resides in Austin after joining the public relations department at Sportexe, one of the global leaders in the synthetic turf industry, in November 2006. Lee, a 12-year sports writing veteran and football-coaching insider immediately made an impact with the launch of the Sportexe Football Coach of the Year award, which has been adopted by arenafootball2 as an official league award.
“We’re very pleased to have Aaron Lee here on behalf of Sportexe to present Rich Ingold with the 2007 af2 Coach of the Year Award,” said af2 President Jerry Kurz. “Ingold has proved himself to be a cut above the rest among his peers this year and is truly deserving of this honor.”
The Sportexe Football Coach of the Year award honors the top head football coaches from high school, collegiate and professional ranks for both outdoor and indoor leagues throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
“I am extremely proud of being named the Sportexe NCAA Division I-A Coach of the Year,” said University of Houston head coach Art Briles upon receiving the award following the 2006 season. “Aaron is one of the reasons this award is so special because I know his dedication and involvement in our industry, and I know that he keeps a close tab on who’s doing what in our profession.”
Lee, a former managing editor for American Football Monthly, the nation’s top football-coaching publication, has served as a sports writer and editor over the past decade with publications like the Palm Beach Post, Marshall News Messenger (Texas) and Torrington Telegram (Wyoming) and a past contributor for the Times Picayune, Shreveport Times, Austin American-Statesman, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, ESPN and the now-defunct Football Digest.
“Aaron did an outstanding job for American Football Monthly,” said LSU assistant coach Doug Mallory, son of legendary Indiana head coach Bill Mallory and brother to Mike and Curt, assistant coaches at Kansas and Illinois respectively. “My family and I have worked closely with Aaron on different occasions and feel he’s one of the top journalists in the sports profession.”
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (17-2), led by 2007 Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year Rich Ingold, captured the American Conference crown and advanced to ArenaCup8 after defeating the Green Bay Blizzard 46-43 in front of the Pioneers’ home crowd at Wachovia Arena. The Pioneers face the National Conference-champion Tulsa Talons (17-2), a 67-47 winner over Bossier-Shreveport.
Ingold earned the league’s top coaching honor for his efforts this season en route to seizing the top slot on the af2’s all time win list (59) and leading his team to ArenaCup8. He was selected by a vote of his fellow league head coaches and media members.
Ingold joins previous Sportexe Coach of the Year winners such as the NFL’s John Fox and Sean Payton, CFL’s Tom Higgins and Wally Buono and NFL Europa’s Doug Graber and Vince Martino and Arena Football’s Kevin Guy.
“This season is a perfect example of the fine job Coach Ingold has executed during his tenure in af2,” said Lee “It is only fitting that Coach Ingold earn the industry’s top award during a season where he has captured the league’s most career wins, a conference championship and possible league title. I am very proud to present Coach Ingold this award and to return home amongst the finest football fans anywhere.”
Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, has become synonymous with excellence and the Sportexe Coach of the Year award has become a respected symbol that recognizes football coaching talent from all over the world that demonstrates the same quality, integrity and performance that has become associated with the Sportexe brand.
Sportexe continues to solidify its status as the top professional indoor synthetic turf provider in North America as the official and exclusive synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for the af2 and its big brother the Arena Football League, as well as the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League. All four league championship games, including ArenaCup8 have featured Sportexe playing surfaces.
Other Sportexe clients include the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA’s LSU, Tulane, Cal-Berkeley, Indiana, Pitt, Alabama and Southern Miss.
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August 23rd, 2007
CenturyTel Center in Bossier City to Host af2 Championship Game
ROUND ROCK, Texas. August 21, 2007—For the second time in the past three seasons, the CenturyTel Center, home to arenafootball2’s Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings will host the af2’s league championship game. ArenaCup8, presented by Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, will be played on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8pm ET in Bossier City, La., and televised nationally on Comcast for the second year in a row.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (17-2), led by Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year Rich Ingold, captured the American Conference crown and advanced to ArenaCup8 after defeating the Green Bay Blizzard 46-43 in front of the Pioneers’ home crowd at Wachovia Arena. The Pioneers face the National Conference-champion Tulsa Talons (17-2), a 67-47 winner over Bossier-Shreveport.
Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, is proud to announce its involvement as the official playing surface of ArenaCup8. The CenturyTel Center, an SMG managed facility and former host of ArenaCup6 in 2005, is a 270,000 square-foot facility featuring Sportexe synthetic turf systems and accommodates up to 14,000 patrons for a variety of entertainment experiences.
“Sportexe and af2 have enjoyed a special relationship since the league’s inception eight years ago,” said national football-coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. “To see this league grow to 30 teams and continue to offer one of the best professional sporting experiences in the U.S. is a true testament to fine people that represent af2.”
Sportexe continues to solidify its status as the top professional indoor synthetic turf provider in North America as the official and exclusive synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for the af2 and its big brother the Arena Football League, as well as the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League. Sportexe synthetic turf system clients also include the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, S.F. 49ers, Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA’s LSU, Cal, Alabama, Tulane and Southern Miss.
“We’re fortunate to be playing our championship event again on Sportexe synthetic turf at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier-Shreveport, La.,” af2 President Jerry Kurz said. “I feel confident that the field will be in immaculate shape for our season-ending, showcase event.”
This year Sportexe takes its relationship with af2 one step further as it proudly serves as the league’s official coach of the year award. Sportexe will recognize the top head coach for the 2007 season at the af2 championship game.
“Sportexe is proud to be underfoot of the league’s two best teams at ArenaCup8 and displayed nationally over eight Comcast channels in front of 34 million viewers ,” said Lee. “And equally excited to acknowledge the league’s top coach with the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award.”
This will be the third straight season the af2 has held a neutral-site ArenaCup championship game and tickets for the 2007 ArenaCup can be purchased by calling 888-277-5526.
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August 22nd, 2007
All-Time Winningest af2 Coach Wins League’s Top Coaching Honor
ROUND ROCK, Texas. August 18, 2007—Sportexe® is proud to announce Rich Ingold, head coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, as the winner of the 2007 Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year award for his efforts this season en route to capturing the top slot on the league’s all time win list (59) and leading his team to ArenaCup8. Ingold was selected by a vote of his fellow arenafootball2 head coaches and media members.
Ingold, in his second season at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, guided the Pioneers to a 14-2 regular season record and an East Division title in 2007. He has also led the team to two playoff victories and an appearance in the American Conference Championship game, which will take place later on today.
Earlier this season Ingold became only the fourth head coach in af2 history to collect 50 wins in his career. In addition to his current job in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Ingold spent 2002-2004 as the head coach of the Quad City Steamwheelers.
“I feel extremely honored to win this award. This is the best group of guys I’ve been around in all my years of coaching,” stated Ingold upon hearing the announcement.. “I also want to give many thanks to Big Win Ventures, Cosmo and Janet DeNicola, Dave Berryman, and my assistant coaches. When things got tough they stood in the fire with me.”
Ingold joins previous Sportexe Coach of the Year winners such as the NFL’s John Fox and Sean Payton, CFL’s Tom Higgins and Wally Buono and NFL Europa’s Doug Graber and Vince Martino and Arena Football’s Kevin Guy.
“We’re excited about this new addition to our already existing relationship with Sportexe,” af2 President Jerry Kurz said. “We’re very fortunate to now have a top-notch, year-end award to recognize our league’s best of the best.”
“This season is a perfect example of the fine job Coach Ingold has done during his tenure in af2,” said Aaron S. Lee, football coaching insider and Sportexe spokesperson. “It is only fitting that Coach Ingold capture the industry’s top award during a season where he has captured the most career wins, conference championship and possible league title. Sportexe is very proud of the hard work given by both Coach Ingold and af2 this season.”
Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, has become synonymous with excellence and the Sportexe Coach of the Year award has become a respected symbol that recognizes football coaching talent from all over the world that demonstrates the same quality, integrity and performance that has become synonymous with the Sportexe brand.
Sportexe continues to solidify its status as the top professional indoor synthetic turf provider in North America as the official and exclusive synthetic turf supplier and game system provider for the af2 and its big brother the Arena Football League, as well as the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League. Sportexe synthetic turf system clients also include the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, S.F. 49ers, Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA’s Cal-Berkeley, Indiana, Pitt , LSU , Alabama and Southern Miss.
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August 18th, 2007
Less than one year after Sportexe installed 121,412 square feet of the SMG-managed Louisiana Superdome just in time to welcome home the NFL’s New Orleans Saints after a year removed from the city following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the SMG has chosen Sportexe turf for the fourth consecutive year to serve as the host surface during what could be the most competitive football season the Superdome has ever scheduled.
Both the Saints and Tulane University will play a combined 17 games in the Superdome in 2007, including two NFL preseason games and not counting any playoff games the Saints could qualify to host in January. Beginning with the annual State Farm Bayou Classic featuring Grambling State and Southern University on Thanksgiving Day, the Superdome will host three professional football games, five Louisiana high school state football championships, one high school all-star game, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the BCS championship game scheduled for Jan. 7.
Continue Reading July 27th, 2007
ROUND ROCK, Texas. July 18, 2007—Sportexe® is proud to announce Vince Martino, head coach of the Hamburg Sea Devils, as the winner of the 2007 Sportexe Coach of the Year award for his efforts in NFL Europa, formerly NFL Europe, this season. Martino joins previous Sportexe Coach of the Year winners such as the NFL’s John Fox and Sean Payton, CFL’s Tom Higgins and Wally Buono and NFL Europa’s Doug Graber.
Continue Reading July 25th, 2007
ROUND ROCK, Texas. July 23, 2007— Sportexe is proud to announce Kevin Porter, head coach of the Kansas City Brigade, as the winner of the 2007 Sportexe Arena Football Coach of the Year award. Porter joins previous Sportexe Coach of the Year winners such as the NFL’s John Fox and Sean Payton, CFL’s Tom Higgins and Wally Buono and the AFL’s Todd Shell and Kevin Guy.
Continue Reading July 23rd, 2007
Sportexe Turf System Underfoot at AFL Championship Game
ROUND ROCK, Texas. July 17, 2007—The stage is now set for ArenaBowl XXI for Sunday, July 29 at the New Orleans Arena featuring Sportexe synthetic turf as the San Jose SaberCats square off against the Columbus Destroyers.
The SaberCats were crowned the American Conference champions on Saturday after defeating the defending Arena Football League champion Chicago Rush 61-49. This will be San Jose’s third trip to the ArenaBowl in six years.
The SaberCats led by head coach Darren Arbet, have been dominant defensively all season due in large part to former Sportexe arenafootball2 Coach of the Year and current defensive coordinator Kevin Guy. Guy captured the Sportexe award in 2003 while serving as head coach of the Tennessee Valley Vipers.
The sixth-seeded Destroyers won the National Conference crown and their fourth straight road game in a 66-56 shootout over the heavily-favored Georgia Force. Columbus advances to the ArenaBowl for the first time in franchise history.
Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry and exclusive turf provider for the Arena Football League, is the official playing surface of ArenaBowl XXI to be televised nationally on ESPN. Like the New Orleans Superdome which installed Sportexe turf for the return of the New Orleans Saints in 2006 following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Arena, home to the AFL’s New Orleans VooDoo, also features a Sportexe synthetic turf system.
“We are extremely excited to be underfoot of the AFL’s finest athletes at ArenaBowl XXI,” said Sportexe spokesperson Aaron S. Lee. “The New Orleans Arena is the perfect venue to host the AFL’s championship game. This event which combines the longevity and growth of one of the country’s great pro sports leagues with the history and resilience of one of the world’s great cities is something Sportexe can hang its hat on with pride. This is indeed a special season for all involved.”
Sportexe continues to solidify its status as the top professional indoor synthetic turf provider in North America as it is an official or exclusive turf provider for not only the AFL and af2, but also the Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League. Sportexe synthetic turf system clients also include the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, S.F. 49ers, and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA’s Cal-Berkeley, LSU, Alabama and Southern Miss.
“Whether it’s indoor or outdoor, infilled or non-infilled, no other company knows synthetic turf like Sportexe,” said Lee. “That is why Sportexe is the exclusive choice of many of the nation’s top professional sports leagues and the premium choice among consumers who demand quality and performance.”
“Sportexe has been our exclusive turf partner providing a tremendous product to the AFL since 1999,” said AFL Chief Operating Officer Joe Vrankin. “They are the perfect supplier for our championship game field.”
ArenaBowl weekend will be filled with interactive player and celebrity events, the annual ArenaBall Awards Show, a player combine, concerts, fan festivals and more. Significant community relations efforts will also be apart of the events leading up to the game. ArenaBowl XXI will mark the AFL’s third consecutive neutral-site championship game, all of which featured Sportexe synthetic turf systems. ArenaBowl XIX and ArenaBowl XX were both played in Las Vegas.
Sportexe is also the official turf system for ArenaCup8, the championship game for the AFL’s developmental league, af2.
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July 19th, 2007
The University of Houston announced that head football coach Art Briles, who won the 2006 Sportexe NCAA Division I-A Coach of the Year award, received yet another honor. Please follow the link below for further information on the official Houston Cougars website:
http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051707aaa.html
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May 17th, 2007
With its first pick, ninth overall, in the 2007 Canadian Football League Draft, The reigning Grey Cup-champion British Columbia Lions selected University of Ottawa wide receiver Adam Nicolson (North Bay, Ont.), making it the first time since 2004 that a member of the Gee-Gees football team has been drafted in the opening round.
Continue Reading May 4th, 2007
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