MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Home is where the heart is and, indeed, Dorothy was right. There’s no place like home. After more than a month of playing on the road as a result of a damaged field, the Green Wave of St. Edward High School in Elgin, Illinois return to the gridiron for their last home football game of the season. After hearing the heartbreaking story of the Green Wave’s football field, Scotts® couldn’t sit on the sidelines; they had to take action and help. The company volunteered their services and donated product to refurbish the field at St. Edward’s football field; along the way Scotts® teamed up with Chicago sports hero Brian Urlacher to welcome the team home.
“Given the unfortunate situation at St. Edward High School, restoring their football field was a natural fit for us,” said Josh Peoples, vice president and general manager of Scotts. “The surface these athletes play on is just as important as how they play the game – we wanted to do the right thing for this team and bring the Green Wave back to their home field for Senior Night.”
In early September, the high school football field at St. Edward High School was mistakenly sprayed with weed killer instead of fertilizer, making the field unsafe for the players and forcing the team to play all home games on the road.
“The grass was always greener on the other side this past month but we’re fortunate to have new sod and play our last football game on senior night at home,” said P.J. White, athletic director for St. Edward High School. “We are thankful to the generosity of Scotts and are excited to be back on our home field.”
“Growing up as a kid playing sports and later as a pro, I know firsthand the importance of playing on a nice, conditioned football field on natural grass when possible,” said former professional football star Brian Urlacher. “St. Edward High School deservedly has home field advantage heading into their last game.”
“‘Home sweet home.’ That’s what I look forward to hearing students, staff and faculty members chant on Friday afternoon at St. Edward’s Greg True Field,” said Peoples. “Our only goal was to make sure the team could end this season on a high note at home. As part of its #KeepItReal campaign – this field refurbishment is just another extension of our desire to see all athletes from youth sports to professional be given the opportunity to play on real natural grass.”
About ScottsMiracle-Gro:
With more than $2.8 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are some of the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., the Company operates Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company’s brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligène® and Substral®. In 2015, the Company ranked in Forbes 100 Most Reputable Companies in America. For additional information, visit the Company’s Website at www.Scottsmiraclegro.com.
CONTACT: For more information, contact: Annika Tunberg, Zeno Group 312-321-4862 [email protected]