FROM THE CHAIR
2019 Is Looking Bright
Last month we experienced
yet another record-breaking crowd (almost 700 attendees) at ASBA’s
Technical Meeting in Scottsdale. I’d like to thank all of you attendees,
volunteer speakers and ASBA staff for helping to pull off another
fantastic event. Aside from the seemingly well received networking
opportunities and technical content, the most impressive aspect of the
meeting was the resounding theme of enthusiasm and optimism surrounding
our industry. I think most of us are coming off of a strong 2018 – and
with solid backlogs and interest heading into the new year, 2019 looks
promising! DETAILS
MEETINGS
Winter Meeting 2019: An
Opportunity to Renew Your Commitment to the Industry

The
ASBA Winter Meeting, to be held February 22-24, 2019 in the
Dominican Republic, is perhaps the most productive use of a few days in
the off-season you’re likely to come across. (And if it’s not the
off-season where you live, you should still take a break, knowing it’s
the kind that will pay dividends.)
Spend a few days at this meeting and you’ll not only come home refreshed
and ready to face a new season, but you’ll have taken advantage of a
great opportunity to renew your commitment to the sports facility
industry.
The meeting includes opportunities to do the actual work of the
Association: attend division meetings, develop ideas for Technical
Meeting presentations, contribute content to ASBA’s publications, frame
ideas for position papers and work on other projects that help move ASBA
forward. And that’s what gets done in morning sessions. After sessions
let out for the day, attendees are free to explore our host resort, the
Paradisus Palma Real.
Our host property is an all-inclusive, full-service resort, has not only
an excellent beachfront location but plenty of options for your spare
time, including nearly a dozen varied restaurants, a spa, pool, the
18-hole Cocotal Golf Course, tennis courts and plenty of other
amenities.
But there’s plenty of time to explore those. For now, just make sure you
have blocked out the dates of February 22-24. More information will be
forthcoming.
Regional Meeting – Come on
Down to Atlanta!
ASBA is holding its
annual
Regional Meeting on March 6-7 of this year. And this time, we’re
moving to the great Southeast, to one of the country’s most accessible
cities by air: Atlanta, Georgia.
This year’s meeting, to
be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Atlanta Marietta, will include all
the networking, education and on-site, hands-on learning you’ve come to
expect.
You won’t want to miss
the tours of some excellent sports facilities, including the ASBA’s
Single Field of the Year award winner, Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park.
There are also plenty of other great opportunities to learn, connect and
enjoy. Our two-day format means a smaller time commitment and the
convenient location means you’ll be able to find a flight to get there.
Want more information?
Reach out to us at 866-501-ASBA (2722) or
www.sportsbuilders.org.
Didn’t Go to the Technical
Meeting? Here’s What You Missed…
If you didn’t make the
2018 Technical Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, we won’t give you a hard
time. But we would like you to know what you missed out on. Here’s a
quick recap. DETAILS
Want an Overview of the
Technical Sessions in Scottsdale? Here are a Few…
One of the most valuable
aspects of the ASBA Technical Meeting is, without a doubt, the program.
And this year, nearly 700 industry members showed up to hear the
sessions, presented on a variety of topics, from tennis to track to
fields to court and rec, even to business management information.
The good news? The
PowerPoint presentations of these sessions are already up on ASBA’s
website. And since it was impossible to be everywhere at once, it’s
understandable that there were a few sessions you might have wanted to
see – but couldn’t, because you were in another session you wanted to
see.
To look up sessions, go
to the ASBA website at
www.sportsbuilders.org, then mouse over to the top toolbar tab that
says Events. Click on that and the fourth item on the drop-down menu
will be Technical Meeting Presentations.
In fact, presentations
dating all the way back to 2003 are included so you can browse to your
heart’s content. In the meantime, here are a few selections from the
2018 Technical Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. DETAILS
Photos Available from 2018 Technical Meeting
Click here to view and download photos from ASBA's recent Technical
Meeting.
Call for Presentations for
2019 Technical Meeting
ASBA has issued an invitation to
submit proposals for sessions at the annual ASBA Technical Meeting to be
held on December 6-9 in Orlando, Florida. We are looking for proposals
for the following divisions:
-
Tennis
-
Track
-
Fields
-
Courts and Recreation
-
General
DETAILS
ASBA NEWS
Where in the World is ASBA?
As
part of our continuing effort to promote ASBA as an industry resource in
sports construction issues, following are some of the upcoming events at
which ASBA will have a presence:
JANUARY
Tennis Industry Association (TIA)
Executive Director Fred Stringfellow will be participating in the TIA
Board of Directors meeting in Orlando, FL on January 24th and attending
the Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference, now part of the larger
Racquet & Paddle Show January 22-25. A panel of ASBA tennis court
builders will speak on “Trends in Facility Design and Construction” at
the TOM Conference on Jan. 23.
Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA)
Stringfellow will attend the STMA Conference & Exposition in Phoenix, AZ
on January 25-26. Stringfellow and Fields Division President Mark
Heinlein will meet with representatives from STMA’s Leadership during
the Conference. ASBA’s certified builder exams will be offered on
January 26 (Advanced registration required).
FEBRUARY
ASBA Winter Meeting
ASBA members, leadership and staff will gather in Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic February 22-24 for the Board of Directors meeting and Winter
meeting. Each division will meet in break outs to discuss issues
pertinent to their respective sports; and to develop presentation topics
for the 2019 TM.
MARCH
ASBA Regional Meeting
ASBA members will gather in Atlanta, GA on March 6-7 for this year’s
Regional Meeting. Attendees will participate in classroom sessions on
topics like Crew Management and Jobsite & Project Planning; and tour
athletic facilities at Georgia Tech University, SunTrust Park and
Atlanta United for on-the-field training.
Synthetic Turf Council (STC)
Stringfellow will attend the STC Spring Meeting in Seattle, WA on March
11-13.
ASBA’s certified builder exams will be offered March 13 (Advanced
registration required).
ASBA Supports World of Asphalt 2019
We
proudly support World of Asphalt 2019. Indianapolis is open for business
and this show is the place to do it. Join us at the show in
Indianapolis, IN, February 12-14. Register now to receive the discounted
rate!
https://www.worldofasphalt.com/exhibit/register/
ASBA Elects New Officers and Directors
One of the first orders of business at ASBA’s
most recent Technical Meeting was the announcement of the election of
new members of its Board of Directors. If you weren’t there, here’s a
recap.
DETAILS
ASBA Welcomes New Director of Education
The
American Sports Builders Association would like to welcome Kaylee E.
Derby into the newly formed position of Director of Education. The Board
of Directors have identified a need for this positon to help carry out
the goals of the strategic plan. Kaylee comes to us with many years of
education and association experience.
DETAILS
ASBA Announces Game Changer Award Winners
A lot
happened at the most recent Technical Meeting in Scottsdale, including
the announcement of the winners of ASBA’s inaugural Game Changer awards.
The Game
Changer Awards allowed attendees at the Technical Meeting to learn about
nominated products and services in the ASBA Exhibit Hall, and to vote
using the ASBA 2018 Technical Meeting mobile app for those they thought
best exemplified excellence and innovation in the industry.
Winners
were as follows:
Game Changer – Courts & Recreation Division
Laykold Masters Gel - Advanced Polymer Technology
Game Changer – Fields Division
WeatherScape™ Team Shelter with Mobility Kit - Sportsfield Specialties,
Inc.
Game Changer – Tennis Division
Laykold Masters 5 and 8 - Advanced Polymer Technology
Game Changer – Track Division
PVSFS Pole Vault Standard Forming System - Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.
More detailed information on award winners is available through
individual companies listed.
In Memoriam: Meghan Taylor, Longtime ASBA Member
It is
with tremendous sadness that ASBA announces the unfortunate October 13
passing of one of its long serving members, Meghan Taylor. Meg’s genuine
kindness and warmth will be missed very much by all who knew her and we
thank her for her contributions and dedication to the athletic
construction industry, her clients, peers and friends.
Below is
a website link to The Taylor Girls’ Education Fund; started to help
Meg’s two (2) daughters fund their continuing education which people are
donating to in lieu of other gifts:
https://www.gofundme.com/meghan039s-girls-education-fund
ASBA
sends its sympathies to Meghan’s family, as well as her co-workers at
Sportsfield Specialties, who supported her through her battle with the
illness, and who are missing her tremendously in their day- to-day work.
ASBA Announces Winners of Annual Awards
ASBA honored its award winners at the Technical Meeting in Scottsdale,
Arizona. Awards honored excellence in design and construction of sports
venues in several categories.
.
DETAILS
ON THE BOOKSHELF
The New Fields Book: Here’s a Preview
The ASBA’s publication,
Sports Fields: A Construction &
Maintenance Manual, is one
of the most popular publications
on the bookshelf. And right now,
it’s under review as the Fields
Book Committee prepares to edit
the newest version.
The new book, which will be
ready in time for the 2020
Technical Meeting, will include
expanded information on field
usage as well as end of life
issues, recycling and
sustainability. Count on even
more information on alternative
infills as well as information
on alternative colors for
fields.
The committee is chaired by John
Nelson (Peacock Services, LLC,
Fort Myers, Florida) and
includes a wide range of
members, including builders,
design professionals and
suppliers. The committee
welcomes the interest of anyone
who would like to contribute in
any area of the book, which
includes information on both
natural and synthetic fields.
Reach out to ASBA headquarters
and let them know of your
interest, and they’ll be glad to
pass the information to the
correct individuals.
In addition, ASBA will be
putting out a call for
advertisers to appear in the
book. This is an excellent
chance to showcase your company
to potential field owners as
well as current facility owners,
administrators, coaches,
builders, architects and
engineers as well as others in
the industry. And since the book
is available in both hard copy
and as a pdf, it is able to be
used easily at the jobsite,
where plenty of end users can
see your ad.
More details will be available
soon.
ASBA's Full Library
ASBA’s technical publications,
including popular and
well-regarded Construction and
Maintenance Manual series, are
constantly being updated. We
invite you to make sure you have
the most updated issues.
DETAILS
Certification: Make it Your Goal
This Year
If you promised yourself
that this was the year you’d pursue your CTCB, CFB or CTB certification,
it’s time to start putting those wheels in motion.
All the information on
certification is available on ASBA’s website, under the tab for
“Certification” at the top of ASBA’s home page,
www.sportsbuilders.org. Note that you must fill out all forms in
advance in order to sit for the test. The deadline for application is 30
days prior to each test.
The next times the exam
will be given is as follows (inquire about specific times):
Sports Turf Managers Association Conference
January 26, 2019
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
ASBA Winter Meeting
February 22, 2019
Paradisus Palma Resort
Dominican Republic
ASBA Regional Meeting
March 6, 2019
DoubleTree by Hilton
Atlanta, Georgia
Synthetic Turf Council Meeting
March 13, 2019
Hyatt Regency Seattle
Seattle, Washington
ASBA Technical Meeting
December 7, 2019
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida
By appointment at ASBA Headquarters in Maryland.
ASBA’s Golf, Tennis and
Pickleball Tournaments: A
Winning Combination
While ASBA members are
known for checking their competitive instincts at the door and ‘playing
nice’ at the Technical Meeting, that doesn’t include the times they head
out to challenge one another on the links or on the courts.
At that point, all bets
are off and the competition is fierce. You made a bad shot? Prepare to
be heckled. You won? Prepare to be congratulated (and know there will be
plenty of people itching for payback next time). But at the end of the
day, all participants still enjoy themselves, still have the chance to
unwind and still have great stories to tell.
ASBA was fortunate to
have excellent sponsors for each event this year. Our golf tournament
was sponsored by Liberty Tire and our Tennis Tournament was sponsored by
California Sports Surfaces. And this year, we hosted our inaugural
Pickleball Demo and Tournament – also sponsored by California Sports
Surfaces. Thanks to our great sponsors and congratulations to the
following winners:
The 2018 California Sports Surfaces ASBA Tennis Tournament – JW
Marriott Desert Ridge
Group A winners
John Hanna
Matt Campbell
Group B winners
Tracy Lynch
Dale Hendrickson
2018 Liberty Tire ASBA Golf Tournament - TPC Scottsdale – Stadium
Course
1st Place Team: 58 (-13)
Mitch Brown
Chuck Davis
Gerry Finney
Connor Glennon
Closest to the Pin #4
Caldwell Robinson
Closest to the Pin #16
Jake Merritt
Longest Drive #9
Matt Hicks
Want some payback? The ASBA Winter Meeting is coming up in the Dominican
Republic. Don’t miss your chance!
INDUSTRY
NEWS
2019 Track Rules Changes –
NFHS and NCAA
by Donna Sierks,
CTB and Jon Renner, CTB
The 2019 NFHS and 2019-2020 NCAA track rule books are
now available. The rule changes and clarifications this year are
particularly significant in their effect on our industry. Some of these
changes will need to be clarified as they are conflicting and confusing.
IAAF and USATF also had some significant changes, which we’ll touch upon
herein, but the focus of this article is the NFHS and NCAA books.
This article is not intended to be totally
comprehensive but is meant to alert our members to the changes and
question the verbiage in some of them. This would be a very good year to
purchase updated rules book for all of the governing bodies. There are
important changes in each book and we all know that these changes tend
to “trickle down” from IAAF to NCAA to NFHS with time.
DETAILS
McConnell & Associates
Honored as Tennis Court Contractor of the Year
One of the highlights of the closing dinner of the
Technical Meeting is the presentation of annual awards. One of those,
the Tennis Industry Magazine Tennis Court Builder/Contractor of
the Year Award, was presented to McConnell & Associates Corp. of Kansas
City, Missouri.
McConnell & Associates, a longtime member of the
Association and a contractor with a regional focus on the Midwest, has
been actively involved in volunteer activities for the ASBA, and has had
various construction projects honored by the Association in its annual
awards program.
Additionally, McConnell & Associates has numerous
individuals on staff who have successfully completed the ASBA’s
voluntary certification program, earning the designation of Certified
Tennis Court Builder (CTCB). The company has four locations: three in
Missouri (Kansas City, St. Louis and Pevely) and one in Wichita, Kansas.
It has been in business since 1965 and is still family-owned and
operated. Its work includes not only tennis courts but running tracks
and other sports and recreational facilities.
McConnell & Associates will be featured in the
January 2019 issue of Tennis Industry, along with other companies
recognized for their contributions to the industry, with the title of
“Champions of Tennis.” Tennis Industry is the world’s largest tennis
trade magazine.
MEMBER NEWS
Memberline
The latest
news from ASBA members.
DETAILS
ASBA Welcomes New Members
ASBA welcomes nine members that joined the
association since we published our last newsletter.
DETAILS
ASBA
Announces New Certified Builders
ASBA has certified six new builders since we published our last newsletter.
DETAILS
ASBA Mobile App Available on
iTunes, Google
ASBA now has its own mobile app
(ASBA Diagram Showcase), available through the iTunes and Google stores,
free of charge. The app contains a sampling of technical diagrams from
our construction and maintenance manuals – including Tennis, Running
Tracks, Sports Fields, Courts & Recreation and Pickleball.
The app is intended to be a resource when you’re on a job or in the
field and need to reference a dimension or specification. It is not
intended to be as comprehensive as our manuals – but rather,
complementary to them.
Check out our app and send us your thoughts. We’d love to hear what you
think.
Click here for Google
Click here for iTunes
Click on image below for larger version to see
details.

ASBA's Position Papers: We Need
Your Expertise!
And the nominees are …
your project, if you decide to enter ASBA’s awards program. This year’s
program is now accepting entries, meaning it’s time for you to nominate
that project you want recognized. DETAILS
Got Your Certification? Help
Keep it up by Writing Technical Articles for Newsline
ASBA offers its Certified
Builders two options for keeping
their designation current. The
first is the option to take the
exam again. The second, however,
includes an opportunity to
benefit the industry itself:
recertification by acquiring
continuing education points.
This includes writing technical
articles for Newsline. DETAILS
ASBA Certificate of Distinction
Program: Are You Aware of It?
ASBA currently offers two
Certificates of Distinction, one for Design Professionals and one for
Supplier Companies.
Both differ from
certification in that they do not require members to pass a test, nor
are they a credential that is awarded. However, they do recognize
commitment and dedication to the Association and the industry.
The Design Professional
Certificate of Distinction program provides professionals a distinction
by illustrating the individual’s commitment and dedication to the
tennis, track, fields and indoor facility construction industry through
involvement with ASBA and related organizations and the completion of
built projects.
The Supplier Certificate
of Distinction program is designed to recognize those ASBA Supplier
Division Member Companies that contribute to and share in the betterment
of the ASBA. ASBA Supplier Division Member Companies that meet and/or
exceed the participation goals and requirements will receive this
recognition, which must be renewed on an annual basis and ASBA Supplier
Division Member Companies must meet the minimum total qualifying point
requirement every year to maintain their recognition.
To learn more about each
Certificate of Distinction program, go to
www.sportsbuilders.org.
May We Quote You?
One strong benefit of
ASBA membership is the fact that ASBA is recognized as a technical
leader in the industry. Want proof? Articles written on behalf of ASBA,
and quoting ASBA members, are everywhere. Just as an example, you’ll
find ASBA’s articles in the following publications:
In addition, ASBA has
been contacted by other publications, including Athletic Business, when
writers and editors are seeking an industry expert.
ASBA being recognized as
an industry expert is outstanding, since that great reputation extends
to our members as well. In addition, members’ participation in these
articles can heighten their profile.
Want to see what ASBA has
been up to? Head on over to the website,
www.sportsbuilders.org, and click on the tab on the top that says
“Press Room.” A drop-down menu will offer multiple choices including
options such as Track Articles, Tennis Articles, Fields Articles and
Indoor Articles. Click on the ones you want to view.
Want to be quoted in these articles in the future? Drop ASBA’s technical
writer, Mary Helen Sprecher, a line at
mhsprecher@gmail.com (note new address) and ask to be added to the
list. Include any specific expertise you have, such as tennis, track,
fields or indoor facilities.
Get Social with ASBA
ASBA continues its
journey into social media. You can find us…
On Facebook: Just
look up our page under (what else?) American Sports Builders
Association. Like the page in order to get all the updates.
On Twitter: ASBA’s
Twitter handle is @SportsBuilders – make sure you follow ASBA in order
to get the latest on upcoming meetings, deadlines, new programs,
publications and more.
On LinkedIn: ASBA
has a group, listed under American Sports Builders Association.
Be sure you’re following
us in all the social media you use.
© 2019 American
Sports Builders Association
9 Newport Drive, Suite 200 • Forest Hill, MD 21050 • 410-730-9595 •
info@sportsbuilders.org |
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The Latest News from
ASBA
Here's
the latest news from ASBA. You
can find a Newswire archive on
ASBA's
web site.
Let
us know what you think of the online newsletter. Send your comments or
article ideas to
Cynthia Sanchez.
Calendar of
Events
For information on any of
the meetings shown below, call ASBA at 866-501-ASBA, e-mail
info@sportsbuilders.org
or visit
ASBA's
web site.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 4, 2018
ASBA Technical Meeting
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, AZ
February 22-24, 2019
ASBA Winter Meeting
Paradisus Palma Real
Dominican Republic
March 6-7, 2019
ASBA Regional Meeting
Doubletree by Hilton
Atlanta, GA
Information on the ASBA Technical Meetings and Winter Meetings will be
sent out automatically to all ASBA members. Non-members should request
information by contacting ASBA.
ASBA Leadership
Chairman
Kristoff Eldridge, CTB
Cape & Island Tennis & Track
Tennis Division President
Matt Strom, CTCB
Leslie Coatings, Inc.
Track Division President
Paul Nagle, CTB
Nagle Athletic Surfaces, Inc.
Courts & Recreation Division President
Randy Resley
Sport Court of the Rockies
Fields Division President
Mark Heinlein, CFB
Turf Reclamation Solutions, LLC
Professional Division President
Megan Buczynski, PE, LEED AP Activitas, Inc.
Supplier Division President
David Moxley
Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.
Secretary/Treasurer
Kirk Grego, CFB
Mid-America Golf & Landscape, Inc.
Chair-Elect
Mark Heinlein, CFB
Turf Reclamation Solutions, LLC
Directors
David Burke
NGI Sports
David Clapp, CTB, CTCB
Baseline Sports Construction
Joe Covington
Covington Flooring CO., Inc.
Todd Dettor
Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. & 10-S Tennis Supply
Jordan Fisher, CTB
Fisher Tracks, Inc.
Dale Hendrickson
TD Sports, Inc. – Sport Court of Southern CA
Tracy Lynch
Har-Tru Sports
Ed Norton, RLA, ASLA
Holcombe Norton Partners
Jameson Sheley, CFB-S, CTB
Byrne & Jones Sports Construction
Chris Sullivan, RLA
Verde Design, Inc.
ASBA Staff
Executive
Director
Fred Stringfellow, CAE
Associate Director
Samantha Devine
Director of Meetings/
Member Services
Cynthia M. Sanchez
Director of Education
Kaylee Derby
Membership Services
Kristin Grove
Financial Manager
Amy Chetelat,
CAE
Legal Counsel
David H. Pettit, Esq.
Lenhart Pettit
ASBA
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