March 28, 2003

Sprinturf awarded contract to replace football surface at Fred G. Hughes Stadium
Fund-raising continues for outdoor track portion of restoration project

The Missouri Southern Board of Regents today approved the awarding of a contract to Sprinturf for the replacement of the artificial football playing surface at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. At this time, Sprinturf will be extended a contract to replace the football surface only, leaving the track surface replacement pending. In the near future the administration anticipates making a similar announcement for the replacement of the outdoor track surface at the stadium.

Sprinturf, based out of Wayne, Pa., sees Missouri Southern as a regional showcase for its product, and made clear in the bidding process its desire to emerge as the winner for the job. Sprinturf's best and final offer was for $450,000, a figure that was $210,000 less than the next closest bidder.

"They told us they were going to go after this bid very hard and they were true to their word," said athletics director Sallie Beard.

MSSC solicited bids for turf-only, track-only and turf and track combined, and received five turf bids. Those bids ranged from from Sprinturf's initial $464,120 to $769,218. All of the bids include utility improvements and field maintenance equipment.

The Lion Pride Restoration Project committee has raised $670,000 thus far with a goal of raising another $150,000 to $200,000 that would likely enable the track portion of the project to be completed.

"This is only phase one of phase two," said Beard. "The track portion of the restoration project is still underway. We hope to be able to make similar announcement regarding the track very soon."

Sprinturf has its product currently in use at several locations, including the football playing surfaces at the University of Montana and at Youngstown State University (Ohio). The product is also currently being installed at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. It's also being utilized on practice fields for the NFLÕs Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans.

Sprinturf estimates installation time to take approximately 60 to 90 days. Installation involves excavation of asphalt and soil, installing layers of aggregate stone, placing a vertical drain system in the aggregate (connecting to the current perimeter drain system) and an artificial surface installed over the aggregate with ground rubber infill. The surface has an eight-year warranty.

Construction on the MSSC project could begin on or around April 20, Beard said.

The bids were reviewed by a "turf & track team", comprised of 12 members from athletics, administration, faculty and the physical plant.

The 2002 season marked the 15th year for the Lions to play on their current BaspoGrass-S surface.