In response to the ever growing number of Staph and MRSA infection cases in athletes, Pioneer Athletics has partnered with mPact Environmental Solutions to offer advanced antimicrobial solutions for sports facilities and synthetic turf fields.

GamePlan-4-Sports is an antimicrobial program designed to protect sports facilities and equipment that athletes, staff and trainers use each day. This includes the treatment of lockers, uniforms, pads, weight rooms, training tables, towels, fabrics and furniture. GamePlan-4-Sports is powered by ÆGIS Microbe Shield®, the most advanced, EPA registered antimicrobial available.

For synthetic turf fields, the GamePlan-4-Turf program was specifically designed as an active, long-lasting antimicrobial treatment system to create an invisible barrier on the field that controls or eliminates the growth of a wide array of bacteria, mold and mildew - and the odors and stains caused by them. The GamePlan-4-Sports and GamePlan-4-Turf programs are applied by mPact certified professionals and are backed by multi-year warranties.

"We’ve built great relationships with our customers around the country, and learned that a lot of them were dealing with the growing Staph and MRSA issue. We wanted to help them, so we found the best antimicrobial solutions available," says Doug Schattinger, President of Pioneer Athletics.

"With the GamePlan-4-Sports system, we now have a way to combat the microbes that cause infections like this with antimicrobial treatments for entire facilities, powered by ÆGIS Microbe Shield® technology. Unlike bleach or harsh chemicals with short term effects, we provide long-term solutions with EPA registered products like mPale® Antimicrobial and mPerial® Disinfectant," Schattinger said.

The Detroit Lions recently took a proactive measure by having their facilities treated with the GamePlan-4-Sports antimicrobial system.

"My job is to provide the Lions with the highest level of sports medicine care available in the NFL," said Dean Kleinschmidt, Coordinator of Athletic Medicine and Athletic Trainer for the Lions.

"Since we had Pioneer and the mPact guys here to treat our facilities, I can sleep a lot better at night knowing we took a huge step towards prevention of Staph and MRSA infection. It all starts with cleanliness and proper hygiene, so combining that with the antimicrobial treatments has really helped make our facilities a safer place for the staff and athletes to work and train."

Kleinschmidt adds, "It’s pretty amazing once you realize how the GamePlan-4-Sports system works. Once that surface is treated, there’s just no way for bacteria or mold to live or grow there. And it completely knocks out any and all odors, and stops them from coming back."

Once found primarily in hospitals, Staph and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) have found their way into the locker room and athletic facilities. MRSA is a form of Staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics, making it hard to treat and possibly lethal. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association it’s estimated that the drug-resistant staph bacteria kill 19,000 Americans each year.

In a sports facility, whether it’s the school gym or a professional locker room, the transfer of these harmful microbes are due mostly to personal contact among athletes, but also spreads from sharing towels, razors, sports equipment, and training tables.

The ÆGIS Microbe Shield® technology works by physically rupturing the membrane of harmful microbes. The unique organo-silane quaternary compound consists of a long, molecular chain (picture a sword) that has a permanent bonding property at its base. This permanently bonded “sword” protrudes from the surface where it stands ready to puncture any microorganism like a tack would an inflated balloon. Then, the sword’s base, which includes a nitrogen molecule, draws the microorganism to it and electrocutes the cell. It’s a physical process, not a chemical one, and it ensures that no harmful microbes can live on the treated surface.

Pioneer Athletics, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is the nation’s leading developer and manufacturer of field marking paint, for natural grass and synthetic turf fields. They also carry a fleet of high-quality field marking machines and equipment. Their paints, equipment, field stencils and athletic accessories are used by over 25,000 high schools, athletic clubs, and park and recreation departments throughout the country. You can also find their products on collegiate, professional football, professional baseball, and professional soccer fields in North America and around the world.

mPact Environmental Solutions is the world’s leader in formulating and applying ÆGIS based technologies in aftermarket applications. mPact has treated facilities at many professional teams, universities, high schools, as well as hospitals with the GamePlan systems. Two components of the GamePlan-4-Sports system, mPale® Antimicrobial and mPerial® Disinfectant, are EPA registered. mPact Environmental Solutions has been granted the exclusive right for the ÆGIS Antimicrobial products in the aftercare market in the United States by ÆGIS Environmental Management, Inc.

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For more information on Pioneer Athletics and mPact Environmental Solutions’ advanced antimicrobial products and services, call 888-327-1976. To schedule an interview with Doug Schattinger, please call Pioneer Athletics at 216-671-5500.