High Point University installed brand new Mondo 3NX artificial turf with an FTS pad and Ecofil at Vert Stadium this spring. It's considered the best artificial surface available. The stadium is home of HPU track & field, soccer and lacrosse.

“The new Mondo turf takes Vert Stadium to the next level, particularly for our student-athletes,” said HPU Athletic Director Craig Keilitz. “That field is where three of our teams practice and play – and it will be four with the addition of men's lacrosse – so it was really important to make sure we had a first-class surface for them to use on a daily basis. Vert Stadium was already an excellent collegiate venue and it only improved with the addition of the new turf.”

Within the Mondo turf system, the 3NX fibers and Ecofil provide performance that's most similar to natural grass and the entire system is environmentally friendly. The turf system can reduce heat by 30 percent over turf with traditional black rubber fill and provides the best energy response and shock absorption of any artificial turf. The technology can also help reduce injuries and fatigue.

The system was developed by Mondo at its global headquarters in Italy and is used at many of the premier outdoor stadiums in the world. HPU teams will be able to use the field for significantly more play and practice time without wear and tear on the facility.

Head coach Lyndsey Boswell's women's lacrosse team has had the first chance to play on the new surface. This spring is the Panthers' inaugural women's lacrosse season.

“It has been great for the pace of the game and it has been great for the fitness of our team,” said Boswell. “On the softer surface, our players are able to practice harder and recover faster than they would if we were practicing and playing on a harder surface. There was an adjustment period when we first started using the new turf but it's getting better and better every day as it has settled.”

Mondoturf Ecofill was designed through extensive biomechanical research to reproduce all of the properties of natural grass without the problems associated with traditional artificial fields. It uses an environmentally friendly infill called Ecofill Star, which is made from a synthetic material and not reground tire pellets commonly used by other artificial turf manufacturers. Reground tire pellets are becoming increasingly controversial for their detrimental environmental impact and potential health hazards. Another important factor in the decision to use this system was that Mondoturf Ecofill produces minimal infill "splash," meaning infill particles are less likely to fly up with ball or foot impact compared with other artificial turf fields.

Vert Stadium is one of the finest facilities of its kind, with the perfect size and amenities for soccer, lacrosse and track & field. Reopened in the spring of 2007, the stadium features seating for 1,100, a press box, hospitality suite, rest rooms and a concession area. Belk Track circles the new turf field and is an ideal facility for the track & field team to train and race.