About Hellas

Bowl Games Played on Advanced Matrix® Turf and Convertible Fields – A Stadium Trend?

Valero Alamo Bowl, Hyundai Sun Bowl and the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic spotlight the Matrix® turf systems by Hellas Sports Construction

AUSTIN, TX (January 23, 2012) - Austin-based surfacing contractor, Hellas Sports Construction, and its advanced Matrix® synthetic turf systems were in the national spotlight with the recent AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, Hyundai Sun Bowl and Valero Alamo Bowl. Two out of the three bowl venues have convertible fields allowing for quick removal and installation of turf allowing many other events besides football.

For the 76th AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington played host to the SEC’s Arkansas Razorbacks vs. the Big 12’s Kansas State Wildcats. In a game that proved why both teams ranked in the top 15 of the Bowl Championship Series standings, the tenacious Razorback defense held Kansas State to only two touchdowns as Arkansas went on to win 29-16 for its school record tying 11th victory.

Since moving from the Cotton Bowl to Cowboys Stadium in 2010, the Classic has been played on Hellas’ most cutting edge installation of Matrix turf, in conjunction with its exclusive SoftTop™ removable “roll-up” turf system allowing for the conversion of three separate fields. The Cotton Bowl is played on the collegiate field, the Dallas Cowboys play on the Pro Field and there is a FIFA Certified Soccer field available for installation maximizing utilization of the Stadium while providing a premium surface for athletes.

In another match-up showcasing the Matrix system, the Hyundai Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas) was a thriller to the end with Utah’s John White plowing into the end zone from 8 yards out to give the Utes a 30-27 overtime victory against Georgia Tech. After tying the game with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter, Utah took advantage of a missed field goal by the Yellow Jackets at the end of regulation and scored on its next possession in overtime to capture its eighth win of the season. Hired to replace the field in 2009, Hellas completed the Sun Bowl Stadium installation in record time with only a two-week window to have the Matrix turf ready for play.

The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas served as the site for one of the more highly anticipated bowls games of the year as the Washington Huskies and No. 15 Baylor Bears went head-to-head in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Living up to the hype, the game broke 10 NCAA bowl records, including the 123 total points for the most in Alamo Bowl history. The Bears managed to pull out the 67-56 win and did so in front of a national audience of 5.1 million households making it the #5 most-watched bowl game in ESPN history.

Hellas Construction first installed the Alamodome’s state-of-the-art SoftTop™ turf roll up system in 2001 and again in 2010. Designed to be a removable “roll-up” turf system, SoftTop™ provides the Alamodome the ability to accommodate a wide variety of sporting and non-sporting events, with no adverse effects on the playability of the turf. The interest in convertible fields is clearly increasing, as well as return customers.

Hellas’ patented Matrix turf has been utilized by numerous high-profile clients and is the turf industry’s paramount product. It is comprised of two monofilament (spinneret) yarns that are manufactured in different sizes and colors. This configuration creates the best traction and system stability possible, and under stadium lights, the color combination provides exceptional light deflection. The environmentally friendly backing and high strength coating provides an unparalleled tuft bind. Its durability and playability is highly superior to other turf products available in the market.

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About Hellas Sports Construction
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Hellas is one of the largest sport contractors in the United States. While specializing in the general construction of sports facilities and synthetic surfaces, Hellas also champions innovative turf manufacturing, base construction, field, track and tennis installation and maintenance. Hellas controls all business processes to take its products directly to its customers, including marketing, sales, quality control and project management. For more information visit HellasConstruction.com.

Hellas' partnership with legendary materials manufacturer, Royal TenCate, has positioned the company for continued success. TenCate Grass develops and produces synthetic turf components and designs systems for top-flight sport, recreation and landscape applications. Together with its partners, TenCate Grass strives to achieve a system approach. This gives users confidence in playing characteristics and lifespan. TenCate Grass has production facilities in Europe, the Middle East and North America.