After having success with FieldTurf, the University of Nebraska continued to enhance its facilities with the ‘Sportable’ flooring system. Photos courtesy of Media Relations, University of Nebraska.
By Michael Hainsey
In one of the most exciting games of the coach Doc Sadler era, the Husker men’s basketball team upset No. 16 Oregon, 88-79, in an overtime thriller in front of 12,109 fans at Qwest Center Omaha on December 15, 2007.
Nebraska (8-2) played its most wellrounded and inspired game of the year against the Ducks (8-2), a 2007 Elite Eight qualifier who came to Omaha with only one loss on the year. By the end of the afternoon, the Husker effort resulted in a student section court-storming and Sadler’s second win over a top-20 team during his Husker career. It also marked the first time Nebraska had defeated a ranked nonconference
opponent outside of Lincoln in school history.
The never-before-used FieldTurf Tarkett basketball court that was used for the game will undoubtedly be cherished when Huskers break it out for future neutral-site games. “We haven’t had a lot of things happen,” Sadler said, “to have guys run the court.” But a victory against the high-flying Ducks warrants such action.
“Our players have complimented the consistent ball bounce they enjoy on the surface as well as the ideal amount of shock absorption that comes from this flooring system.”
The University of Nebraska is another example of a world-class university that has opted to install FieldTurf Tarkett products for its athletic surfaces on campus. In September 1998, Tom Osborne, the legendary Nebraska football coach, was introduced to FieldTurf. In December of that same year, Osborne travelled to high schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland to check it out. He was very impressed with what he saw, and once he was told that the grass the kids were practicing on was in fact FieldTurf, he suggested that the university consider it for their facility. Since then, Nebraska has expanded its relationship with FieldTurf Tarkett to the tune of eight FieldTurf fields on campus and one high performance removable Sportable basketball court. The company’s durability, safety, and performance claims that have been made are well documented at the University of Nebraska, as their athletic surfaces have stood up to the test of time.
Sportable is a premium removable floor, which combines the superior performance characteristics of the FieldTurf Tarkett sport floor, with a quick and easy assembly system. This system is designed to meet the demands of professional competition and provide a reliable, simplified
assembly — quick to lay and easy to remove.
After having success with FieldTurf, the University of Nebraska continued to enhance its facilities with the ‘Sportable’ flooring system. Photos courtesy of Media Relations, University of Nebraska.
In addition to being FIBA (International Basketball Federation) approved and having qualities that are designed to outperform stringent DIN standards, the solid wood that is used in all FieldTurf Tarkett courts consistently provide high ball return, a long life cycle, and they can be resanded or resurfaced.
Inspired by heart, hustle, and precision, these highly coveted wood flooring systems have been designed with FieldTurf Tarkett’s SmartSlide Technology. This innovative flooring provides athletes with both the frictional resistance required to stop on a dime and the frictional release needed to slide for a loose ball. The floors are finished with a protective coat that helps control dust and reduces the frequency of routine cleaning.
Regardless of the sport, these top level flooring systems help to ensure the synchronization of ball and player.
