AstroTurf’s Melissa Vassalotti-Twist on America’s green turf trend
Water and carbon savings drive Poligras Paris GT zero hockey turf adoption in the USA
With a lifetime in field hockey, Melissa Vassalotti-Twist is a passionate champion for her sport. Her years of elite playing and coaching (winning three ACC Championships and three NCAA National Championships with the University of Maryland) have shaped her mission: growing field hockey and ensuring that schools and colleges have the best facilities. As Director of Field Hockey at AstroTurf, she combines athlete and coach insights with the latest developments in turf technology, helping shape the sport across the Americas.
Melissa Vassalotti-Twist at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame Awards
Melissa competing at the 2010 National Championships
Your career started on AstroTurf as a player and continues with AstroTurf as Director of Field Hockey. How important is that hockey connection?
Field hockey has been at the center of my life for a long time. I feel really fortunate, not only to work for AstroTurf, the surface I’ve played on since I was young, but to still be deeply involved in the sport. The field hockey community is close-knit and staying connected to coaches and athletes is something I value.
In my role, I oversee field hockey development across the Americas, working directly with coaches and administrators, supporting product R&D, helping programs build new fields, and contributing to national and Olympic-level projects.
“With Poligras GT zero, we have a surface that delivers elite performance while drastically reducing water consumption. That’s the future of hockey.”
With field hockey being such a college-focused sport in the US, it must be valuable for coaches and facility managers to work with someone who knows and understands the sport?
Relationships are everything in this industry. Having played and coached at the Division I level, I’ve built long-term connections – many of the coaches I now work with were former teammates or competitors. That history creates trust.
Performance-wise, I know what high-level athletes expect from a surface and I understand how much the field impacts the game. At the end of the day, I’m looking out for the sport I love.
Melissa’s team winning the 2010 National Championships
Liberty Field in Lynchberg, Virginia
Poligras has been chosen as the turf for the 2028 Olympics. What does that mean for the US market?
It’s a big moment. LA will be the 9th Olympic Games on a Poligras turf and the product technology evolves with each Games to create our ‘Olympic line’. The Poligras Paris GT zero turf is hockey’s only carbon zero turf, plus it is certified for wet and dry hockey. Feedback from other locations around the world is that without irrigation it essentially plays the same as a watered turf – this is a huge advantage for many programs here in the States.
From both a sustainability and accessibility perspective, it’s a game-changer.
What effect do you think a homegrown Olympics will have on the sport in the US?
Anytime a sport gets the Olympic spotlight, interest surges. That visibility helps programs attract funding, fans, and future players. So it’s an exciting time for hockey and for AstroTurf.
Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont
We hope to see growth in places like California, where sustainability and innovation are already top priorities. This turf helps bridge that gap, as it allows schools to build elite-level fields, while aligning with climate goals and budget needs. The more quality fields we get out there, the more kids get to play.
Currently, the sport is most prominent on the East Coast, especially in the Northeast, but there are programs in the Midwest too, in places like Louisville, Iowa, and Ohio State. On the West Coast, there are fewer Division I programs, so the Olympic spotlight will definitely help the sport expand out West. With more exposure and investment, there’s real potential for growth.
Sustainability and climate concerns are major issues, especially in places like California. How does this turf address them[SO1] ?
It’s a perfect fit for those challenges. The Paris turf allows programs to drastically reduce water use without compromising performance, which is crucial in water-scarce areas. It also helps schools meet their sustainability goals, from reduced emissions to more eco-friendly construction.
There’s also the operational side. Fields that don’t require irrigation systems are easier and more affordable to maintain. For schools that want Olympic-quality performance but need to be cost-conscious and climate-responsible, this turf is amazing. That bright blue Olympic-style turf sparks curiosity and excitement.
USAFH New Training Facility
What kind of adoption are you seeing for the Poligras Paris GT zero turf in the US?
It’s growing quickly. USA Field Hockey trains on it at UNC Charlotte. We’ve installed it at Stanford, Fairfield, Davidson, and this summer, Smith College will have theirs. Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan also upgraded to the Paris turf recently, and both had breakout seasons afterward, reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time.
It’s also gaining traction at the high school level. Private schools like Greenwich Academy, Sacred Heart Greenwich, and Agnes Irwin have invested in the surface. They get the Olympic look and feel without needing a full irrigation setup. That accessibility is what’s driving adoption.
[SO1]I rejigged this question as it was almost exactly the same as the wording in the paragraph at the top of the page. SO
University of Massachusetts Amherst field hockey
How does the latest turf fit alongside AstroTurf’s existing products?
We offer three key products for field hockey in the US. The classic is AstroTurf 12, our domestically produced, knitted nylon surface that’s incredibly popular. Then there’s Poligras Platinum, which has been proven over many years. And finally, the Olympic line, which is currently the Poligras Paris GT zero.
Right now, we’re seeing about a 50-50 split in the college market between AstroTurf 12 and Poligras Paris GT zero. Some coaches prefer the feel and performance of AstroTurf 12, while others want to replicate the Olympic experience.
What role do partnerships play in your strategy?
They’re essential. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with USA Field Hockey, and we also partner with the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). We attend events like the Field Hockey Convention and Hall of Fame awards every year.
It’s about more than turf, it’s also about helping the sport thrive. By working with these organizations, we support coaches, we celebrate success, and we work together to keep the sport moving forward.
