by Larry Eder
Penn Relays handoff, photo by PhotoRun.net
One of my favorite meetings each year is the American Sports Builders Convention. The ASBA, or www.sportsbuilders.org are all about building the best track facilities and tennis facilities. They encourage this through education and the certification of track and tennis builders. They are a huge resource for information on building the right facility for you!
ASBA has newly Certified Track Builders (CTBs)
The
American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) has announced the names of
the individuals most recently recognized as Certified Track Builders.
ASBA offers its voluntary certification program which allows builders of
specific athletic facilities (currently tennis courts,
running tracks and sports fields) to demonstrate proof of their
experience, as well as their knowledge of sports-facility-specific
construction.
The following individuals recently completed all requirements to become Certified Track Builders:
Mark Becker, CTB (Sports Turf Company, Whitesburg, Georgia)
Christopher Polk, CFB, CTB (Hellas Construction, Dallas, Texas)
Jameson Sheley, CTB (Byrne & Jones Construction, St. Louis, Missouri)
Todd Wiggins, CTB (Sports Turf Company, Whitesburg, Georgia)
The
program was developed by ASBA in order to help raise professional
standards and improve the practice of sports facility construction.
Certification is offered in three different disciplines; an individual
may choose to pursue the designation of Certified Tennis Court Builder
(CTCB), Certified Track Builder (CTB) or Certified Field Builder (CFB).
In
order to become a certified builder, an individual must meet specific
criteria set forth by ASBA; he or she must complete an application that
shows proof of a set amount of experience in the chosen type of sports
facility, and then pass a comprehensive exam on construction and
maintenance. In order to maintain the designation, an individual must
recertify every three years by documenting a sufficient level of continuing education activities in the relevant field or by passing the examination again.
The
exam is given at meetings offered by the ASBA or by making other
arrangements with Association staff. It was most recently given at the
ASBA Winter Meeting. The next ASBA Technical Meeting, where the exam will also be given, will be held December 2-5, 2011 at the J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, California.
Those who want to learn more about the certification program are encouraged to go to the ASBA website at www.sportsbuilders.org,
and using the top toolbar, select the “Certification” button (fourth
from the left). A drop-down menu will allow the user to choose among
certification pertaining to tennis courts, running tracks or sports
fields.
Information on the ASBA can be obtained by phone at 866-501-ASBA, 410-730-9595, by fax at 410-730-8833, or electronically at www.sportsbuilders.org or info@sportsbuilders.org.
