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When it comes to athletics, one of the most essential elements to performance is a high-quality surface. To some, a field might merely be a patch of grass, but without the right type of surface, the players’ competitive abilities can be hindered. Hellas Sports Construction was founded with a bold vision to provide the highest-quality athletic surfaces possible through a vertically integrated model that would warrant precise control. Based in Austin, Texas, the firm specializes in constructing athletic surfaces and has served high-profile clients including the Dallas Cowboys, the University of North Carolina, the University of Texas at El Paso and Southern Illinois University.

President Reed Seaton co-founded Hellas in 2003 when he saw the opportunity to fill a niche. “We saw a need in the industry for a different kind of company that could offer a seamless process of consultation, construction and ultimately the installation of technologically advanced synthetic turf and track systems,” Seaton says.

Today, the company employs a staff of 350 workers and enjoyed sales of $85 million in 2010. “Much of our business is with schools,” Seaton continues. “We work from California to New Jersey and everywhere in between.”

Additionally, the company self-performs up to 90 percent of its work. “We employ almost all of our own labor force,” he says. “We also manufacture a lot of our raw materials.”

According to the company, its expertise in product development has resulted in a broad selection of synthetic turf, track and tennis surfaces. “Our surfaces are designed with different sports in mind and will accommodate different levels of play, activity and traffic,” it states. “We will make sure [customers] get the right product.”

Turf Expertise

Seaton has more than 20 years of experience in construction and surfacing-related work in the sports industry. He says he savors the process of building and renovating athletic facilities. 

“It’s wonderful to see a facility be transformed into a fresh, new venue,” he says. “There’s a great joy in seeing the children and athletes’ excitement in using it.”

Seaton says he has seen a greater interest in the eco-friendly nature of artificial turf recently. The turf used by Hellas conserves land and water that would be required for natural grass. 

“We’re actually a green constructor in many respects,” he says. “We’re going to see the need and desire to have more artificial turf in the future as the demand for eco-friendly landscaping rises.” 

A Fresh Culture

When Seaton was developing Hellas, he strived to gather a group of professionals who would best serve its customers’ needs. While many of these workers did not have extensive turf experience, they had strong backgrounds in the construction industry.

Because of this, Hellas recruited individuals from the U.S. military, as well as the highway and running track industries. “We wanted to create a fresh culture,” Seaton says, noting that he is proud of the company’s entire staff.

“We run our office like we work with our customers – by nurturing a collaborative working environment,” Seaton says. “I applaud all of my employees for their hard work and dedication to the company.”

Although many firms have seen their business dwindle in recent months, Hellas has continued to grow and add personnel to its staff.  For example, this October, the firm hired eight new employees, including Ryan Fiebiger, a former captain of the University of Texas football team. Fiebiger is the company’s business development manager for the Rocky Mountain region. 

According to Fiebiger, he has strong confidence in the company’s work. “Hellas is an industry leader that excels in all phases of sports construction, with an unparalleled dedication to quality and customer service,” Fiebiger said in a statement. 

“As a former collegiate athlete with an unparalleled dedication to quality and customer service, I had a desire to combine my passion for sports and my hunger to work with a professional organization that operates in the athletic industry,” Fiebiger commented.  “I found everything I was looking for with Hellas Sports Construction.”

Giving Hope

Hellas’ recent projects include a new football field for the San Pasqual Academy in Escondido, Calif. The academy, which is a boarding school for foster children, had a longstanding goal of constructing a field for its underserved students.

According to San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts, the field was an unaffordable luxury for the academy, but one that finally came to fruition with financial support from a number of sources, including the NFL; Oakland Raiders cornerback Quentin Jammer and his wife, Alicia; and San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, who supported the project through his own Rivers of Hope Foundation.

“This project is more than a football field,” Rivers said. “It represents hope for these kids who have known so much disappointment in their lives. To have that home stadium and those fans in their corner gives them a sense of pride and purpose that can’t be measured.”

For the field, Hellas used its Matrix turf system, which is made of two monofilament yards manufactured in multiple sizes, shapes and colors. According to the company, the configuration of Matrix creates the best traction and system stability possible. The Matrix turf provides light defection under stadium lighting, as well. 

“The backing and high-strength coating provides an unparalleled turf bind,” Hellas adds. “Its durability and playability is highly superior to other options in the marketplace.”

Seaton says he enjoys working on projects like the academy’s field. “It was great to be a part of such a worthy cause,” he explains. “We really enjoy giving back."

Pushing the Envelope

Hellas Construction is planning for more growth, Seaton says. “We’re pushing up against the envelope a little bit by trying to grow our business in a down economy.” 

He adds that the company wants to help its customers to make educated decisions with the budgets that they have. “We work with every customer’s budget to make sure that they receive the greatest value and a supportive project partner from beginning to end,” Seaton says.