March 31, 2017
From Symmetry Sports Construction
East Texas Baptist University has one of the most beautiful campuses in the state of Texas. That reputation is about to be enhanced as the ETBU Board of Trustees has voted to convert Ornelas Stadium and Taylor Field from natural grass to artificial turf.
ETBU has selected Symmetry Turf from nearby Mount Pleasant, Texas as the contractor for the design-build job. Ornelas Stadium is the home of ETBU's football team and Taylor Field is the home of ETBU's softball program, the former NCAA Division III National Champions.
"East Texas Baptist is honored to partner with Symmetry Turf," said ETBU president, Dr. Blair Blackburn. "With a reputation as one the most elite turf installation companies in the nation, Symmetry will provide our ETBU Tiger student athletes with competition fields of the highest quality and matchless beauty unparalleled by any other turf company in the market.
"We are grateful for the leadership of Jason Bell and Wayne Poage...what a blessing to work with godly businessmen who value their calling in support our Christ-centered mission."
Construction has already begun on Ornelas Stadium and will be completed by June 3. Work will begin on Taylor Field at the conclusion of the softball season.
The Tigers football team was ranked as high as 15th in the nation in NCAA Division III this season. The softball program is a perennial NCAA Division III powerhouse having won the DIII National Championship in 2010. The team is currently ranked 11th in the nation.
"Adding artificial turf to Ornelas Stadium and Taylor Field are the latest great additions to the already beautiful ETBU campus," said Ryan Erwin, Vice President for Athletics and Director of Athletics at ETBU. "It will positively add to the student-athlete experience and give the Tiger Football and softball programs the opportunity to practice and compete at a high level on a field that is playable in all conditions."
"We are extremely excited to partner with Symmetry Turf on this project. Based on our experiences building other fields, we believe Symmetry is the best option for ETBU."
Symmetry Turf is no stranger to performing high-profile jobs, having installed seven NFL fields, over 35 NCAA fields, and numerous high schools across the country. Other high-profile jobs performed by the company in the state of Texas include: the Houston Texans, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas and Texas A&M-Texarkana.
"We are honored that ETBU has chosen Symmetry" said Jason Bell, President of Symmetry Turf. "ETBU is really a school on the rise and a leader in Christian higher education. The school has outstanding leadership in President Dr. Blair Blackburn and Ryan Erwin, their Vice President for Athletics. This job is very personal to us and we believe it will help countless students at their university."