TMG named top 50 finalist in Courier's Best Places to Work

The Cincinnati Business Courier has released the names of the 50 finalists for the 2011 Best Places to Work. Among them, The Motz Group!


The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world class synthetic and natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  TMG specializes in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as well as parks & recreation.  Click here to see a sampling of fields The Motz Group have designed and installed.

Joe Motz, President and CEO of The Motz Group, is proud of his team's recognition.  "Our team is the best! They are fiercely passionate about the delivery of “Best in Class” products and services as well as promulgating the ownership thinking culture which recognizes the contribution of each member and provides the natural high we all keep coming back for."

According to the Business Courier Site, "Best Places to Work is based on the results of anonymous employee surveys, measuring work-force engagement and finding out how employees feel about management effectiveness, trust and other workplace issues. More than 100 firms were nominated to participate in the competition, which is now in its ninth year.  The companies employ more than 10,000 workers who participated in online surveys."


The Motz Group is honored to receive this distinction and looks forward to attending the November 3rd event at Duke Energy Convention Center to learn who will win in each of five categories!

For the complete list of the fifty finalists, click here.

For more information about The Motz Group contact us at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Notre Dame Academy Wins STC Field of Dreams Honor

Congratulations Notre Dame Academy, winners of Synthetic Turf Council's Top Athletic Field in the 2011 Real Field of Dreams Contest.

Notre Dame Academy

Park Hills, KY

The story of Notre Dame Academy’s (“NDA”) “Field of Dreams” is unique. NDA is an all girls’ high school that is 100 years old. Until the new field opened last year, at no time in NDA’s history did it have an athletic field. The lack of a field caused significant issues for every administrator, coach, parent and student involved in outdoor sports. Literally, for decades, the coaches had to find facilities for every practice. Over the years NDA teams practiced on many abandoned fields and empty playgrounds. To make some of these fields usable and safe, dedicated parents and coaches removed rocks and debris, cut grass and brought in truck loads of dirt to fill holes and smooth bumps. When NDA’s teams were “lucky”, they received permission to squeeze-in practice time at other schools after the home school had finished using its facilities. Of course, this also meant that coaches, parents and athletes students had to travel for all practices. In fact, at one point, the only available practice facilities were at a school in neighboring state. Obviously, this also meant that in the entire 100 year history of NDA, it did not have a true home game. The only home games were at rented or borrowed facilities. The other major issue was limitation on participation. Nationally the number of women participating in athletics has exploded. Correspondingly, there was high interest in expanding the number of sports and athletes at NDA. However, it was impossible to even consider adding sports and opportunities without a place to practice and play. This was a shame. Dozens of studies document the numerous psychological, physiological and sociological benefits of sports participation for girls.

Simply put, involvement in athletics significantly enhances the chances that young women stay out of trouble, do well in school, remain healthy and become leaders. A few years ago the Sisters of Notre Dame graciously donated property to NDA to build an athletic field. The opportunity to finally have a home field was wonderful. However, in order to provide for all of the practices and games for existing teams, and to develop new teams and opportunities for young women, there was only one answer for NDA – the new field had to have synthetic turf to accommodate all of NDA’s needs.

The impact of the NDA’s synthetic turf field was immediate. Within days after the field was complete, NDA’s soccer team was using the field for practice. After decades of begging for practice time at other schools, cleaning up trash and rocks off a field before practice and handing out directions to parents so that they could find the practice field, NDA could finally simply say, “practice today after school”. More significantly, the synthetic turf field immediately opened the door to participation for dozens of young women and expanded playing time in the community. As soon as the field was complete, NDA organized a new lacrosse team for its students. This has been a huge success in terms of the number of girls participating. Also NDA has invited youth teams in the area to use its synthetic turf field when other facilities are not available. This has been a welcome addition to the community and tremendous benefit to the young athletes in the area. In addition, the field is a very attractive addition to NDA’s campus. Before the field was installed there was an overgrown gully in front of the school. Now one of the first things someone sees as they come to NDA is a beautiful, sparking green field. Moreover, the campus is alive after school every day as dozens of players, parents and coaches come and go for practice. Also “game days” are truly special events for hundreds of alums, fans and families. After 100 years of not having a home field, it is probably impossible to overstate the good will, pride and school spirit generated by NDA’s new synthetic turf field.

The Motz Group installed NDA’s 24/7® synthetic turf field in 2009. For more information on The Motz Group or any of our proven turf systems, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Trotwood Madison picture slideshow

Mansfield High School - Ready to Play Football!

Mansfield Senior High School is ready to play some football on their brand new synthetic turf field installed by The Motz Group of Cincinnati.  Motz has just completed the 24/7® synthetic turf system that is infilled with recycled crumb rubber and sand.

photo credit: mansfieldnewsjournal.com

The Tygers will play host to The Galion Tigers in the season-opener at 7 p.m. on Friday August 26.  
Zach Burns, VP and Sales and Marketing Director for The Motz Group, will attend the field dedication on Friday prior to kick off.  "We are excited for the Tygers to get to play on their new synthetic turf system. We wish them a lot of luck in the upcoming season."

According to Highschoolsports.net the Tygers are picked to beat the Tigers.  75% of fans picked Mansfield Tygers while 25% have picked the Galion Tigers. The prediction, Tigers 13 - Tygers 28. 
There is one prediction that will ring true. The new turf at Arlin field will perform beautifully.  24/7  is manufactured with premium slit film yard and provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated poundings.  
As Larry Gibbs, a spokesperson for Mansfield City Schools, quoted in  a recent mansfieldnewsjournal.com article "The company's web site - www.themotzgroup.com - includes photos of synthetic turf installations at more than 30 other Ohio high schools, Thomas More College, Hanover College and on a regulation-size indoor football field at the Miami Dolphins' training facility.  
To see some logo installation images click HERE 
For more information on 24/7 turf or other proven synthetic turf systems, contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Good luck Tygers!

Artificial turf spreads fields of plastic green

Franklin County schools say it’s cheaper in the long run and allows for more use

Anthony Meyer of The Motz Group pulls turf into place at Thomas Worthington 

Original article can be found here.

Manicured, sweet-smelling grass might appear environmentally superior to the plastic blades and rubber pellets of artificial turf.

But schools are increasingly looking beyond nature’s field of dreams toward one that can endure rain-soaked football games and weeks of punishing heat and drought — all without water or fertilizer — while producing thousands of dollars in additional revenue.

Almost all school districts in Franklin County have at least one playing field made of artificial turf.

Thomas Worthington High School finished unrolling its first carpet of green last week. Bexley High School, the first central Ohio school to install the fake turf 10 years ago, will become the first to replace its field, by the end of October. And Westerville schools plan to complete installations at South and North high schools by the start of this football season.

The long-term benefits can outweigh the initial costs, school officials said. After Westerville Central High School’s field was carpeted last year, many more community organizations and youth athletic groups wanted to use it, bringing in more revenue, said Greg Viebranz, school spokesman.

In Bexley, “I think it’s one of the single-best improvements the district has ever made,” said Chris Essman, the school district’s treasurer, citing the “24/7” usability and lack of maintenance.

The installation cost can range from about $600,000 to more than $1 million, said Henry Zaborniak, an assistant commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The fields last 10 to 15 years, but replacements are cheaper than the original installation because schools don’t have to rebuild the foundation and water-drainage system.

Maintaining a grass field, including mowing and watering, can cost as much as $25,000 a year, which is cheaper over a decade than putting in artificial turf, but grass limits the number of times a field can be used.

Westerville and some other districts used bonds and property taxes to pay for the artificial turf, but other schools rely almost entirely on private donations.

The $660,000 cost of Bexley’s first field was covered by private donations. Its replacement, at $316,000, will be paid for with rental revenue from the cellphone towers that were installed 10 years ago at its high-school stadium, Essman said.

Thomas Worthington’s new turf has been financed through fund drives, corporate and private donations and a brick-paver fundraiser. The largest individual contribution was more than $200,000.

However, raising money can be hurt by the perception that the costly fields are a luxury, said David Mordoh, the president of TWHS Cards Inc., Thomas Worthington’s sports boosters group.

“I think schools eventually will look at it and say this is a necessity. We can’t have the foot traffic without the artificial turf,” Mordoh said. “I think the common citizen doesn’t realize how much activity is going on on those fields.”

The benefits to athletes are subjective. Modern artificial fields are “spongier and more natural, like players like it,” Zaborniak said. But they’re also much hotter on warm days.

Chris Tilton, a former Worthington lacrosse player, has used both. He now is a consultant for capital-projects spending in Worthington.

“I just wish I’d seen it in 10 years ago. It’s a very fast-paced surface for lacrosse and soccer,” Tilton said.

TMG installs in Northeastern Ohio / Hudson Middle School

The Motz Group installs SportGrass at Hudson Middle

It won't be long until students, athletes and community members will be playing ball on Hudson Middle School's new Scott Malson Field.  The Motz Group will complete the system installation in August, just in time for the 2011/2012 season.

HMS chooses The Motz Group

Ray Ebersole, Hudson's Athletic Director, knows choosing The Motz Group to install their turf was the right decision..."We selected the Motz Group following an extensive and comprehensive investigation and research process involving several prominent turf companies.  Unquestionably, we found Motz to be superior in terms of product quality, installation experience, and service. We were very impressed with the professionalism and expertise of Zach Burns (Vice President, Sales and Marketing Director). Mr. Burns was tremendously helpful throughout the process. He was very proactive in providing answers to our questions and finding solutions specific to our facility needs and expectations" 

HMS chooses SportGrass

SportGrass® system is manufactured with premium PE monofilament fibers that provide the look and feel of perfectly manicured grass.   SG fields deliver robust performance and superior playing characteristics.  Components of the SG system are chosen to meet sport-specific demands.  

"...we are delighted that our field will be on time and on budget! As we get closer to our opening date in August the excitement is palpable. We truly feel this project will have a major positive impact on our school and community. As the most utilized facility in the district, we are convinced that it will become a major source of pride for Hudson."  said Ebersole.

Scott T. Malson

Scott Malson, played football for Hudson City Schools.  Five years ago, at the age of 40,  he passed away after battling cancer.  In honor of their son, Richard and Barb Malson made a very generous donation that has made Scott Malson Field at Hudson Middle School a reality.  Ebersole added "we will be forever grateful to the Malson Family for bringing about this much needed improvement while honoring the memory of their son, Scott. Their contribution has taken us from a dream to a wonderful reality!"

Click here to see time lapse images of Hudson Middle School's turf being installed.

For more information on The Motz Group and SportGrass Turf contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

WSU: A New Student Recreation Field

The Motz Group of Cincinnati has begun laying 72,000 square feet of 24/7® turf for the recreation and club teams at Wright State University.
The club teams of WSU, who compete against club teams from other universities,  average over 500 participants annually.   Several, including soccer, football and Ultimate Frisbee, will benefit from the newly turfed recreation field.

Josh Uhlenbrock, president of Lacrosse and Coed Soccer Clubs, is excited that the new 24/7 turf field will be on campus. "My team and I are looking forward to using the new field.  It's such a good feeling to know that our season will no longer be driven by the weather."

The new Motz Group 24/7 field, located on the northeast section of campus, will  have permanent field lines for football and soccer.  

"It's important for these students to have a safe, clean, high performing space to compete" says Zach Burns, Vice President / Sales and Marketing Director at The Motz Group.  "24/7 is designed to deliver excellent long-term performance under high-use conditions. The athletes will be thrilled with their new playing surface". 

24/7 provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated poundings while maintaining pleasing aesthetics.  For more information on a 24/7 turf field contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com.

St. Ursula Academy

The Motz Group installs the huge bulldog center logo.

The Bulldogs of St. Ursula Academy in  East Walnut Hills are soon to take the field on their new Motz Group 24/7® field - few deserve it more.

Imagine you are a student at St. Ursula Academy.  Also imagine you play on their nationally ranked soccer team.   For practices you have to leave campus to travel to the field.  You can't simply walk outside of the athletic complex to the field on campus because your school has a sixteen year old grass field that simply can't hold up to the "extra" field time - it has to be kept in its best possible condition for games. This was all true before The Motz Group broke ground to install a brand new 24/7® synthetic turf system.  

"The conversion from natural grass to artificial is very important for our entire student body, not just for our athletics and physical education programs." Says Mike Sipes, SUA Athletic Director.  "As a grass field we had to protect the turf for home contests so we had to be very careful about any other uses for any other school activities.  The new 24/7 synthetic turf will offer us so many new options that were previously unavailable." 

Championship History
One of the major contributing factors for the SUA Bulldogs to warrant a new field is their outstanding soccer, field hockey and lacrosse programs.



The soccer team has won two of the last four state soccer championships and has been ranked #1 in the nation for the past two years.  SUA's soccer program produced Heather Mitts, professional defender in the Women's Professional Soccer League, 2-time gold medalist, ESPN analyst and current world cup team member.  Heather is a 1996 SUA graduate. 

The Field Hockey team, consistent top contenders in the city and region, currently hold the state title.  

And the Lacrosse program is gaining speed and momentum as the sport grows in popularity and will hopefully soon be sanctioned by OHSAA.  SUA is excited for the opportunities synthetic turf offers grass roots Lacrosse programs that will help develop the popularity of the sport.

Out with the Old
Buenger Field at Schottzie Stadium will very soon be ready for practice, play and other school activities.  The new 24/7 system is the field of choice for the Bulldogs.  All-purpose, all-weather, safe, durable, great looking and affordable playing surface.

Excitement for the new turf
Players, coaches and trainers give synthetic turf high marks for playability, comfort, safety, bounce, speed and performance.  The consistent surface is especially attractive to field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball players because it provides a uniform roll and bounce to the ball.


CLICK HERE to see a few images from the construction site

The following is a collection of comments heard around the SUA campus.  Additional quotes can be found on their Team Up for Turf website.

"With our grass field we must practice off site, send our PE classes off site, and abandon any ideas of hosting tournaments.  24/7 turf on our campus would put us at the forefront of the city in facilities." -Sarah Catlin, Director of Admissions and Student Life, Head Field Hockey Coach and Lacrosse Assist. Coach 

"...the 24/7 surface provides truer bounces and consistent rolling of the ball. From a coaching standpoint training and playing matches on a turf surface would allow our program to have a real 'home field' advantage.  -Dave Ruehl, Head Soccer Coach

"...uniform and consistent playing field will help to minimize injuries, especially at the end of the season on natural grass that has uneven terrain.  Cincinnati's inconsistent weather patterns during the various seasons make it hard to keep consistent playing surfaces on natural grass but 24/7 turf eliminates that challenge." -Al Ducker, Head Athletic Trainer with Cincinnati Sports Medicine

The Motz Group prides itself on providing quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.  For more information about The Motz Group and 24/7® turf please contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Thomas Worthington High School

June 25, 2011
Photo credit: twhsturf.org

The Thomas Worthington Cards are really excited about the new turf field that's being installed at the High School.  In fact, they have a dedicated website to keep everyone updated on the progress.  Click HERE to see it.

The Motz Group is busy constructing the base and surface of a brand new 95,000 sq ft field that will be used for many sports and activities including football, soccer and lacrosse.  Thomas Worthington High School athletes and community members alike are looking forward to using the field come fall.

The new field will be completed by mid August - just in time for the Cards to practice for the upcoming football season.

 SportGrass®

SportGrass® (SG®) is manufactured with premium monofilament fibers that provide the look and feel of perfectly manicured natural grass.  In addition to its good looks, the turf has exceptional playability. The resilient and split resistant fibers create a superior, long lasting surface that provides consistent footing and predictable ball / turf interaction.

Click HERE to see pictures, including an image of what the center logo will look like.

If you have any questions on the SportGrass system or any of The Motz Group's proven systems contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Athens High School / Triumph after Tragedy

Thursday September 16, 2010.  It was the first tornado to hit The Plains, Ohio since 1937.  

Violent Storm

The Athens High School girls soccer team was half way through a tied game versus Alexander High School of Albany Ohio when the game was put on a weather delay due to lightning.  High winds and tornado sirens signaled a more serious threat - the team and the fans sought shelter in the football locker room.  

Destruction

The Press Box was blown off the bleachers at AHS a
tornado blew through The Plains last fall.
Photo Credit: Dustin Franz

Just as the tornado sirens began screaming the electricity went out. Two HVAC units were torn from the rooftop of the High School. Visitor side bleachers were ripped from the ground and thrown into the track. The press box on the field was destroyed.  The roof of the concession stand ripped off. Trees were down, fences demolished, scoreboard broken in half - debris everywhere.  Basil Rutter Field was covered in broken glass, splintered wood and other unidentifiable materials. In a word, destroyed.  Amazingly, no one was seriously injured.

• Click HERE to read an incredible front line account from sports editor Kevin Wiseman who was at AHS to cover the soccer game.
• Click HERE to see compiled images
• Click HERE to see the National Weather Service Storm Survey

Rebuilding

Almost immediately students, staff and community members began piecing the destruction back together. Volunteers literally began picking up the pieces one by one. Support groups were formed and planning committees began plotting their comeback.  Fund raising was in full effect - one AHS alumnus donated $300,000 to his alma matter to rebuild the football field and surrounding areas.  The stadium has been named Scott Riggs and Family Stadium in his honor.  A total renovation for Athens High School including new lights, scoreboard, field, track, bleachers, concession stand, restrooms, press box, field house, walls and sidewalks.  

After hearing solid references and strong reviews of The Motz Group (Cincinnati Ohio) an athletic field construction company that designs and installs high performance synthetic turf fields for many high schools, Principal Mike Meek and Athletic Director Chuck Robinson secured them for the project.  The Motz Group arrived ready to work at the start of April but due to the incessant rain the project was delayed.   As soon as the weather broke the team got to work. "Each layer laid on the field helped the community feel like things were coming back together - stronger and better than ever" said Chad Lavender, Project Superintendent for The Motz Group.  "We're here for AHS and the people of The Plains. We'll be here for years to come."

• Click HERE (fast forward to 23:45) to see a report on the renovation. 
• Click HERE to see a 5 video compilation on You Tube.

The system of choice for the newly renovated Rutter Field was The Motz Group's 24/7® turf system. 24/7 provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated pounding while staying strong, clean and aesthetically pleasing. 

"There's not a better multi-use synthetic sports field turf system than 24/7 and there's not a better team to work with than The Motz Group" adds Lavender.

Game On

The new field is almost complete and will be ready for play when The Athens High School Bulldogs take the field on August 13th in a scrimmage against Morgan High School.  It will be exciting for sure!  

The Motz Group prides itself on providing quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.  For more information about The Motz Group and 24/7® turf please contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

Summit Country Day School / Baseball Turf

Picture Perfect Field First Of Its Kind

June 6, 2011 By Sarah Menefee, CSJ writer

Original article can be found HERE

It’s a whole new ballgame now for The Summit Country Day School, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The school just finished a brand new, first of its kind in the world, baseball field for its student athletes.

“The Motz Group developed our baseball field using the Triple Play HP Synthetic Turf Baseball System this year,” said The Summit Country Day School’s Communications Director Nancy Berlier. “Construction took place over the winter, and the field was ready to play on by April.”

The Triple Play HP Synthetic Turf Baseball System offers a completely new environment for players. The turf, specifically made for baseball, offers a “premium, dual-fiber turf, Envirofill acrylic coated sand infill and a shock-absorbing underpad.”

The Summit Country Day School Head Baseball Coach, Triffon Callos, saw the need for an updated infield, and he went to work to help bring about renovation.

“I brought it up to a few stakeholders that we should look into the return of investment going to turf because it’s going to save us in many ways, and we got going with the project with Zach Burns of The Motz Group. We made it work,” said Callos.

This turf, providing material different than traditional rubber, gives many benefits to players.

“Triffon Callos loves it,” said Burns. “He loves the play characteristics, and the consistent ball bounce and smooth ball roll. The update also allows the school to use the field for potential revenue source for rental. It just gives the school so much more utility and space, and opens up a whole new classroom.”

Callos agrees that the new field offers players an optimal playing environment. In addition to the play characteristics, the turf allows for less rainouts and less maintenance.

“Even with the rain this spring, we were able to play more games and practice with this field,” said Callos. “With this weather we had (rain), many teams didn’t get out until their first scrimmage. We had three-four weeks of practice time on our infield that no one else in the city did.”

The new field has brought great publicity to The Summit Country Day School and The Motz Group.

“Both our kids and opposition love playing on it. It’s brought positive attention to our school and our program. We have big name schools in Cincinnati (DI) who contacted us. They know we have a field, and people want to play on a facility like that. It really markets the program,” said Callos.

And The Motz Group has experienced positive feedback as well.

“We have quite a lot of other schools interested in this type of field,” said Burns. “We are in discussion with them now. The system allows for consistent, durable, high performance play.”

The cost for the infield system ranges from $200,000 to $250,000. Prices for an entire field change from project to project. In terms of funding for projects like these at The Summit Country Day School, Berlier says donors associated with the school help make the renovations possible.

“Donors help for a lot of the projects. We have a remarkably generous group of parents devoted to the school and come through with what we need,” said Berlier.

In addition to this “first of its kind” baseball field, The Summit Country Day School showcases three gymnasiums, a comprehensive weight room and spacious outdoor athletic venues.

“It’s special that we have three outdoor fields right by school. A lot of Catholic High Schools are landlocked because they don’t have the kind of space we have,” said Berlier. “We are also replacing five tennis courts this summer to improve drainage and slopes for better runoffs.”

With so much activity surrounding The Summit Country Day School, the baseball field is an example of state-of the-art facilities and a state-of-the-art philosophy throughout the school.

Said Callos: “The Summit is such a special place. It’s a leader in technology in many ways on the academic side of things. It’s such a complete school, and I think this shows that on the athletic side as well. We have the best of both worlds. One day these kids will look back and see how lucky they were to play on an infield like the one we have.”

Photo courtesy of The Motz Group

For more information contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452

Rain Rain Go Away

The month of April 2011brought record amounts of rain to the tri-state area.  Baseball teams everywhere were canceling because field conditions were saturated.

As described in the WLWT News 5 piece that posted on April 27th  many area high school fields had a lot of trouble getting in their spring baseball schedule.  With so much rain there’s been record number of rainouts – many teams having trouble getting in their regularly scheduled games.

Not so for Summit Country Day School or New Richmond High School who both installed Triple Play™Synthetic Turf prior to this rainy season.

Summit was able to play 17 home games in the month of April!  Without Triple Play turf, Varsity Coach Triffon Callos thinks they might have been able to play only two, possibly three.

Summit Country Day School's brand new Triple Play™ Turf.

If you are interested in visiting a Triple Play field or learning more about turf for your baseball or softball fields contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com.

Two Motz Group teams advance to State Finals!

Perrysburg and Lakota East are matching up in the Ohio Division I baseball state title tomorrow at 10am.  Both schools have fought hard to get where they are, both schools are fighting for their first state victory and both teams play their fall sports on a Motz Group field!

The Lakota East baseball team is on the brink of accomplishing what no other Thunderhawk team has ever done.  After Thursday's 7-2 victory over Grove City in the state semi-finals, the Hawks have an opportunity to win the school's first state team title since Lakota split into East and West in 1997.

Similarly, Perrysburg's Yellow Jackets defeated Willoughby South 4-3 and have advanced to the championship game for their first time.  The Yellow Jackets lost in the state semifinals in 2003, their only other appearance at state.

2011 OHSAA Boys Baseball Division I State Tournament: 
Lakota East  vs. Perrysburg
Huntington Park, Columbus
Saturday June 4th at 10am.

Good Luck Gentlemen!

For more information on Triple Play™ or 24/7® Turf Fields contact:
Zach Burns, Director of Sales and Marketing
513-533-6452 or info@themotzgroup.com

St. Ursula breaks ground on turf field

Contributed By: Jill Cahill | St. Ursula Academy

Cincinnati, Ohio, April 29, 2011 – St. Ursula Academy proudly broke ground Wednesday, April 27 on its new synthetic turf field that will replace the grass field on the northwest side of SUA’s campus in East Walnut Hills. Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits as student athletes, donors, school administrators, parents, and supporters came together to launch the turf construction project.

Several key donors and project leaders each took a shovel in the ceremonial groundbreaking that was moved indoors due to the poor weather conditions.

Among those participating were donors Bill Keating, Sr., Mike Keating, Amy and George Joseph, Lisa Grote and John Zerbe, Board of Trustees Chair May Kay Hauser, SUA President Judith A. Wimberg, Trustee and Project Manager Tom Neyer and Joe Motz and Zach Burns of The Motz Group, who will be constructing the field.

The turf field surface will replace the current grass field that is home to SUA's nationally ranked soccer team, state championship Field Hockey Team the Lacrosse team and St. Ursula athletic events.

The new turf will provide a state-of-the-art surface for many purposes. It will be all-purpose, all-weather, safe, durable and affordable.

The new field's rapid drainage and durable soft carpet provide a safe, consistent surface, ready most any time, most any use for practices, games, physical education classes, other school and community events. 

Photo: St. Ursula Academy Turf Field Groundbreaking 2011 Shown L-R: Joe Motz of the Motz Group, Trustee and Project Manager Tom Neyer, Zach Burns of the Motz Group, Lead donors and parents Amy and George Joseph, SUA President Judy Wimberg ’58, SUA Board of Trustees Chair May Kay Pastura Hauser ’68, donors Mike Keating and Bill Keating, Sr. representing the Clement and Ann Buenger Foundation, and major donors and past parents John Zerbe and Lisa Grote.

“We have long dreamed of being able to provide a better field for our students and athletes and here we are today celebrating the accomplishment of that dream,” said SUA President Judy Wimberg.

SUA's senior class co-president and state championship field hockey team member Meghan Winter talked at the event and thanked the donors and supporters for making this all possible.  “Not just the athletes, but all the students will be forever grateful for your support of this field improvement that will allow for so many more school related activities to happen by just walking out the doors of Keller Center and or the Gymnasium/Convocation Center,” said Miss Winter.

Funds to pay for the field conversion to turf were raised through a targeted campaign called “Team up for Turf”. The new field will be complete this summer and will be called Buenger Field at Schottzie Stadium.

To learn more about St. Ursula Academy and its athletic programming, please visit www.saintursula.org.

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.

St. Ursula is a nurturing Catholic educational community that unleashes the potential of each student to become a women of faith, integrity and courage. In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.


The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.


The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs world class synthetic & natural turf playing systems all over the globe.  The Motz Group specializes in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as well as parks and recreation. 


The Motz Group will be installing the 24/7® synthetic turf system at St. Ursula Academy.  24/7 provides long term performance under high use conditions in all weather conditions.  To learn more contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com.

Ohio College Football Senior Bowl II

The Motz Group is proud to sponsor the 2011 Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl II. The North Team and the South Team will take the field Saturday April 23rd at 5pm in the Columbus Crew Stadium.

The Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl was created to showcase some of the best college football players within the State of Ohio. The Senior Bowl features 90 of the top college football players from the NCAA I-A, II, III and NAIA.

Thousands of passionate fans are expected to fill Crew Stadium for this year’s first Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl. Last year, the North Team defeated the South by a touchdown, in what was an exciting defensive battle.

GameDay Management announced that Franklin County Children Services will serve as the event charity. Foster children, under the care of FCCS and other local agencies, will have the opportunity to attend the Senior Bowl free of charge. Senior Bowl participants and coaches will provide a free football clinic, under the direction of FCCS, prior to the game.

Tickets are now on sale at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 1-800-745-3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.TicketMaster.com. All tickets are general admission and are $10.00 presale and $12.00 the day of the game. Children under 2-years of age are free.

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